04/06/2026
We’ve have hit over 100 followers (THANK YOU ALL), but we figured it is the perfect time that we share what exactly this tournament is for!
FOXP1 is a gene that plays a big role in development—especially the brain, speech, learning, and some organs like the heart and lungs. It acts like a “switch,” helping control how other genes work.
🧠 When FOXP1 is altered, it can cause a rare condition called FOXP1 Syndrome, which affects kids like Colton.
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⚠️ Common features (varies by child):
🗣️ Speech & Communication
• Delayed speech or difficulty forming sentences
• Possible apraxia (trouble coordinating speech)
🧠 Development & Learning
• Developmental delays
• Learning differences or intellectual disability
🤝 Behavior & Social
• Autism-like traits
• ADHD behaviors, anxiety, or sensory sensitivities
🏃 Physical
• Low muscle tone
• Delayed motor skills
• Possible heart or other medical issues
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🧬 How rare is it?
Only a few hundred cases worldwide—many doctors have never seen it.
🧪 Diagnosis:
Genetic testing like whole exome sequencing or microarray.
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❤️ Treatment & outlook
No cure yet, but therapies (speech, occupational, physical, behavioral) make a huge difference.
🌟 The truth: Kids with FOXP1 can grow and thrive—just on their own timeline.
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🦊 Why awareness matters
Because it’s so rare, families often feel alone and research is limited. Raising awareness helps create support, access to care, and hope for the future.
That’s what makes Colton’s Champions Classic so important—it’s more than baseball, it’s bringing visibility to something many people have never heard of.
