These days, more and more of the city’s activity centers and
sports programs are offering classes designed for children with special needs.
Here are just a few:
Chelsea Piers
Long known for their quality educational programs for little ones, the sports
complex now offers an enrichment program for children with developmental needs
ages 18 months to 5 years. Called “CP Building Blocks,” the program targets
language development, cognition, motor development and socialization. Each week
children learn a new language concept and practice it through gross and fine
motor activities, multi-sport activities, story time, music and cooking.
(chelseapiers.com)
Gymtime Rhythm
& Glues
Gymtime’s special needs program, called The Julian School,
is designed to address the unique needs of preschool-age children with learning
disabilities. Classes prepare children ages 3-5 who struggle in a typical
classroom setting to transition into a mainstream school environment. Student-teacher
ratios are kept low (one instructor and two assistants serve a class of no more
than 12 children), and structured circle time activities facilitate
concept-building as well as socialization. (gymtime.net)
Super Soccer Stars
Designed by early childhood, behavioral and soccer
specialists, the Super Soccer Stars Special Needs program is geared toward kids
with developmental disorders like ADHD, autism and Down syndrome. Classes deliver
individual attention with a 2-to-1 child-to-coach ratio. Birthday parties and
private classes of at least four children are also available. Classes are
offered in Manhattan, Queens,
Brooklyn and The Bronx. (supersoccerstars.com)
Pictured: “CP Building Blocks” at Chelsea Piers.
Resources For NYC Families Of Children With Special Needs
ABC Early Intervention
Program,
a-b-c.org
Advocates For Children,
advocatesforchildren.org
Bank Street
Family Center,
bnkst.edu/fc/
Early Childhood Associates,
earlychildhoodassociates.org
Important Steps,
importantsteps.com
The JCC in Manhattan,
jccmanhattan.org
Los Ninos Services,
losninos.com
Resources For Children With Special Needs,
resourcesnyc.org
Theracare,
theracare.com
YAI/NYL,
yai.org
