Prof Jan Burns Canterbury Christ Church University, UK

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1 Prof Jan Burns Canterbury Christ Church University, UK

2 The story. 1. Taking it from Sydney The work in-between 3. London The future

3 Orientation What is INAS? A sports federation for paraathletes with an intellectual disability A charity, run by volunteers A global organisation, but currently based in the UK, hosted by MENCAP

4 Orientation What does INAS do? Promotes the inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities through sport Organises international competitions at regional and world level Maintains world & regional records and rankings Is a full member of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Manages eligibility and promotes the development of classification processes for Paralympic competition

5 History: Paralympics Sydney Paralympics 2000 Spanish basket ball cheated Enquiry into INAS procedures to establish eligibility Procedures too weak - whole impairment group of ID excluded, until compliance with rules demonstrated

6 International Paralympic Committee Rules and Procedures Eligibility i.e. Have they the disability they claim to have? Classification i.e. what impact does the disability have on the sport? Appeals & Protests i.e. How do we test if the classification is challenged?

7 What does classification mean for athletes with ID in the Paralympics? Initial Eligibility (INAS) Confirmed as eligible for that sports class at Paralympic sanctioned events Sports Classification

8 How does a person with ID become eligible to compete at Paralympic level events? Individual An individual athlete must have an assessment by a psychologist A report saying if they meet the eligibility criteria is produced Nation Each Nation has a National Eligibility Officer (NEO) They must check the information and sign that it is authentic and send to Inas Inas is the organisation which governs the master list of eligible athletes 2-3 independent psychologists on the Inas eligibility committee scrutinise the evidence and agree if the person does or does not meet the eligibility criteria

9 What are the eligibility criteria? The eligibility criteria are taken from the World Health Organisation (ICD-10) definition of Intellectual Disabilities. Significant impairment in intellectual functioning. A full scale IQ score of below 75* Significant limitations in adaptive behaviour as expressed in conceptual, social, and practical adaptive skills. Intellectual disability must be evident during the developmental period, which is from conception to 18 years of age Detailed guidance is available on

10 Primary eligibility Adopt a gold standard approach to assessment Best available evidence Guidance from the International Association for the Scientific Study of Intellectual Disabilities (IASSID ) and AAIDD Make appropriate adaptations based on available evidence to treat nations fairly

12 A frequently asked question Why an IQ of 75 not 70? 2008 expert panel provided guidance: Flynn effect IQs are rising Imperfect calibration between adults tests Imperfect calibration between child and adult forms of tests Preference for being over-inclusive than under inclusive IQ is only one of 3 criteria & we now have classification Include the top range of the Wechsler 5 point confidence interval (70 + 5= 75)

13 INAS Registration Procedure Primary evidence submitted, signed off by psychologist & NEO Screened by INAS admin. Insufficient evidence more requested Panel of two-three review evidence Sufficient information submitted Criteria not met Criteria met Athlete rejected Athlete registered

14 CLASSIFICATION Initial Eligibility Sports Classification Confirmed as eligible for that sports class at Paralympic sanctioned events

15 What does classification mean for athletes with ID in the Paralympics?

16 What does classification mean for athletes with ID in the Paralympics? The impairment must be shown to impact on the performance of that specific sport An example of this would be a person who has a left hand amputation, but is an excellent right handed pistol shot and an excellent swimmer. With pistol shooting he may qualify for the Olympics but in swimming he may qualify for the Paralympics Why? Even though a person with an ID may demonstrate that they have the initial impairment they still have to go through classification I see, so classification is needed to show that having an ID will impair your ability to play the sport You got it!

17 But isn t it obvious that having an ID is going to impact on sports performance

19 IPC General Assembly Oct 2009 agreed that ID athletes could re-join for London sports Athletics 1500m Shot Long jump Table tennis Swimming 100m LONDON 2012

20 This image cannot currently be displayed. This image cannot currently be displayed. IPC INAS Research Group IPC Peter Van de Vliet University of Leuven Yves Vanlandewijck Debbie Van Biesen University of Gävle, SUH Kennet Frojd Canterbury Christ Church University/INAS Jan Burns University of Manitoba Jennifer McTavish University of Winnipeg Melanie Gregg University of Kohln Wolfgang Posttast et al

21 International research group INAS & International Paralympic Committee Research Questions 1. Does ID impair sports performance? 2. If so how, and in what way for different sports? 3. So how do classify ID athletes?

23 Starting from a conceptual model Sports performance Cognitive skills impacted by ID Impact of ID on sports performance Understanding

24 Sports Intelligence Process of Response Fluid Intelligence e.g. Sequential learning Memory & Learning e.g. Visual memory Content of Response Visual Perception e.g. Perceptual Speed Manner of Response Processing Speed e.g. Simple and complex reaction times Generic sports intelligence applicable to all sports Sports specific intelligence more relevant to certain sports

25 Key components of intellectual functioning that have sport specific applications include: Reasoning Visual-spatial perception Working Memory Attention & Concentration Sports Intelligence Reaction time & processing speed Executive function

26 Developing the classification system - An assessment of generic sports intelligence e.g. reaction time - An assessment of sports specific intelligence e.g. pattern recognition

27 The Sport Cognition Test Battery Collection of proven psychometric tests chosen to test each area Able to be administered largely nonverbally Quick to administer Largely touch screen computer, with some table top tests Easy and quick to score

28 - Sport specific assessment Three components 1. Technical tests 2. Observation in competition 3. TSAL-Q a questionnaire based inventory of training and experience

29 Example 1: Table Tennis classification

30 Table Tennis Classification 3 parts 1. Touch screen generic sports intelligence tests 2. On court technical tests 3. In competition observation Generic cognitive tests Technical tests Competition Observation

31 Example 2: Swimming

32 Swimming technical test m SSttaarrtt 10 m Finish 15m iinttervall v Sttroke ratte Sttroke llengtth 15m iinttervall v Sttroke ratte Sttroke llengtth 55--m ttuurrnn-- inn i m Tuurrnn oouutt Start 5m 10m 25m 40m turn Finish

33 Bandwidth model Non disabled sample Tests High scores Low scores High scores Low scores Disabled Sample

34 High scores Bandwidth model Non disabled sample Tests Low scores High scores Overlap Cut-off scores Low scores Disabled Sample

37 Some reflections

38 Over 20 involved Trainees 5 now fully trained IPC classifiers, 2 at London 2012 Had experience of testing over 200 ID athletes from 21 different countries Attended competitions all over the world, e.g. Mexico, South America, Japan etc. Helped review over 200 ID assessments from 16 countries D.Clin.Psychol courses now involved in primary eligibility checks as a way of giving hand on experience

39 Media 1. Resources BPS public engagement grant Videos, Power points, Briefing Sheets 2. Digital presence tweet, face book etc. 3. Engaging with the media e.g. Today, Breakfast paralympics show, All in the Mind etc. 4. Engaging with the press e.g. press release, press conference

40 What next? Perfect systems New sports More nations Links e.g. SO Spin offs

41 Questions?

Paralympic Table Tennis

ENGLISH FOR THE GAMES Paralympic Table Tennis When athletes come together from around the world to compete in the Olympic and Paralympic Games, they are fulfilling their dreams and competing at the highest