Respect Week is a week long engagement hosted by the Special Olympics Illinois Youth Activation Committee. This is a week where schools and communities across the state pledge to include and promote respect
Monday, March 4, 2024
Wear White Today
Vision Impairments and Blindness Awareness
Did you know ... Across the world, 285 million people are visually impaired and 39 million of those people are legally blind. In the United States, over one million adults aged 40 and over are currently blind and 2.4 million are visually impaired. Vision problems affect one in five children aged 3-5 years old and one in four children aged 6-17. Up to 80% of all blindness in adults is preventable or treatable.
Tuesday, March 5, 2024
Wear Green Today
Traumatic Brain Injury Awareness
Did you know ... Traumatic brain injury usually results from a very hard blow or jolt to the head or body. As a result of a TBI, children may experience changes in their health, thinking, and behavior that affect learning, self-regulation, and social participation. An estimated 5.3 million Americans are living with a disability related to traumatic brain injury.
Wednesday, March 6, 2024
Wear Blue or Orange Today
Sensory Processing Disorder Awareness
Did you know ... People with sensory processing disorder struggle with detecting, interpreting, and generating adaptive responses to sensory input. People who have SPD can also struggle to fall asleep and stay asleep at night. Physical and occupational therapy can help children learn strategies to help them process sensory input. While all children have unique sensory preferences and tendencies, these differences are only considered a "disorder" when they significantly impact their daily life in a negative way.
Thursday, March 7, 2024
Wear Purple Today
Rett Syndrome Awareness
Did you know...Rett syndrome is a rare genetic neurological disorder which occurs almost exclusively in girls and leads to severe impairments. Rett syndrome is caused by mutations on the X chromosome on a gene called MECP2. People with Rett syndrome show a loss of spoken language and motor skills, as well as behavioral and neurological problems.
Friday, March 8, 2024
Wear Yellow Today
Spina Bifida Awareness
Did you know...Spina Bifida is a condition affecting the spine and is usually apparent at birth. Neural tube defects, including spina bifida, are usually diagnosed before birth, through lab or imaging tests such as ultrasounds. When someone has spina bifida, the neural tube does not fully develop, and the fetal spinal column does not completely close. This can cause issues with walking, mobility, and even digestion.