What to Expect on Your Child's First Day of Adaptive Sports

Starting something new can feel overwhelming for neurodivergent children — and their parents. Here is exactly what happens on day one at UDID Academy, and how to prepare your child for success.

For many neurodivergent children, new environments and new routines can trigger anxiety, resistance, or meltdowns. As a parent, you want to set your child up for success — and knowing what to expect can make all the difference.

Before the First Day

Preparation is everything. Here are the steps we recommend for families in the days leading up to their child's first session:

• Talk about the program in positive, concrete terms: "On Saturday, you're going to play basketball with Coach Jasmyne."
• Show your child photos of the facility if available
• Practice the drive or route to the location
• Review what will happen: arrive, meet the coach, warm up, play, go home
• Pack familiar comfort items if your child uses them
• Arrive 10 minutes early so your child can take in the environment before the session starts

What Happens When You Arrive

When you arrive at UDID Academy, a coach will greet you and your child at the door. We take a few minutes to let your child explore the space, meet the coach, and get comfortable before the session begins. There is no pressure to jump right in.

The Session Structure

Every UDID Academy session follows a consistent format so participants always know what to expect:

• Welcome and check-in (5 minutes)
• Warm-up activities — movement-based, fun, low-pressure (10 minutes)
• Skill-building drills — broken into small, manageable steps (20 minutes)
• Game play or group activity — applying skills in a fun context (15 minutes)
• Cool-down and celebration — recognizing effort and achievements (5 minutes)
• Parent debrief — quick update on how the session went

If Your Child Struggles

It is completely normal for the first session — or even the first few sessions — to be challenging. Our coaches are trained to support children through transitions, frustration, and sensory overwhelm. We will never force participation, and we will always communicate openly with you about how your child is doing.

"My son cried for the first 15 minutes of his first session. By week three, he was asking to go every day. The coaches never gave up on him."

— UDID Academy Parent