Motor Activity Training Program (MATP)

The Special Olympics Motor Activity Training Program is designed for athletes with severe or profound intellectual disability who are unable to participate in Official Special Olympics sport competitions because of their skill and/or functional abilities. The Motor Activity Training Program is designed to prepare athletes with severe or profound intellectual disability, including athletes with significant physical disabilities, for sport-specific activities appropriate for their abilities. Athletes with significant disabilities are those who, because of their physical, mental, or emotional needs, need highly specialized training programs. As a unique sport-based program, The Motor Activity Training Program does not exclude any athlete. It is designed to provide individualized training programs to all athletes with significant disabilities.

Objectives of the Motor Activity Training Program

The objectives of the Special Olympics Motor Activity Training Program are to:

Provide training opportunities for athletes to acquire skills considered essential in the recognized skill progressions leading to participation in Official Special Olympics competitions.
Create opportunities for athletes to perform their personal best effort in those skills in a culminating event during a regular Special Olympics competition or during a separate Motor Activity Training Program activity.

Purpose of the Motor Activity Training Program

The purpose of the Motor Activity Training Program is to provide training for athletes in skills that are related to and may lead to participation in a traditional Special Olympics event.
All individuals with severe or profound intellectual disabilities can, with activities designed to meet their individual abilities, participate in the Special Olympics Motor Activity Training Program.
All Motor Activity Training Program athletes are provided opportunities to train for and perform their personal best at culminating Motor Development activities, without comparison to others.
The Motor Activity Training Program athlete qualification process is used to ensure that each athlete who comes to Special Olympics is provided the most challenging and rewarding sport experience appropriate for him or her.

If you have a student at a regional program site that you think could participate in other Special Olympic Events, besides the MATP Challenge Day, you should direct an inquiry to the Adapted Physical Education teachers on site. They can provide further information on qualifying for competitive events. They can also assist you in contacting the appropriate sports coach to assist. The Adapted Physical Education teachers at your regional sites should be working on MATP Challenge Day skills during scheduled class times along with work on IEP Goals and Objectives.