Between school struggles, therapies, and the challenges of "play dates," it can be hard to imagine your child with special needs taking part in after-school activities. The reality, though, is that the right after-school programs may provide terrific opportunities for your child to show their strengths, build confidence, make friends, and discover new interests. After speaking with parents of special needs children in our community, I realized that the programs they wanted and needed were not easy to find. I then set out on a mission to gather information on events and activities in and around our area for special needs children and their families. Here is what I have found thus far.
Y.E.S Yoga at Sparta Recreation - Mondays at 5 pm to 6 pm - This gentle, therapeutic yoga class is for children and young adults diagnosed with a developmental disability. Students will improve muscle strength and balance, increase flexibility and sensory integration needs. In addition, yoga helps enhance concentration and boosts confidence/body awareness. Techniques learned will promote relaxation and improve self-regulatory methods, calming anxiety and relieving stress. Children ages 10-18 welcome. Begins 1/14. for a 6 week series volunteers from Pass It Along will be present.
Sky Zone Mt Olive - The 3rd Monday of every Month Sensory hours from 4 pm to 6 pm Enjoy the freedom of jumping. Sensory hours provide a quieter, toned-down jumping experience for those with special needs.
Super Friends for Teens at the YMCA Fairview Lakes Camp - Newton, Held on the 2nd Friday of every month, offers a great evening of making friends and having fun. This program is designed for people with special needs and their families. they provide camp activities, games, adventures and experiences that will create amazing memories for everyone.Registration is required, and the program is 100% free!
Matrix Martial Arts Class at Iron Temple Fitness and Autism Radio "Hope Saves the Day" - Newton, Held on Fridays (Bi-weekly), offers those with physical challenges, developmental delays and attention difficulties an opportunity to learn simple martial art techniques. They offer FREE classes sponsored by Autism Radio to engage your child in a safe structured environment while allowing positive social interaction.
Yoga with Sara Gallman at Tranquility united Methodist Church Recreation Center -Thursday 3-4 pm Hosted by Life with Joy taught by certified teachers . Emphasis on mantas, controlled breathing, guided meditation and essential oils to control anxiety, stress, repetitive behaviors and ADHD. Classes are open to the general public as well as young adults with disabilities. Private Pay or DDD Approved Payments accepted.
AMC Movie theater Sensory Friendly Movies Rockaway -On Saturdays AMC offers Sensory friendly movies. Check local listings for time and availability
Rizzo’s Wildlife World - Flanders offers special needs group programs where you can feed, touch, and hold select animals. Please call to schedule a time 973.586.0444.
Giant Gymnastics - Hacketstown Offers special needs open gyms on certain Saturdays. Please call before going to check availability. The Sparta location offers private lessons for all ages to support the needs of any student who cannot participate in classes offered on the current class schedule.
MPAC - Mayo Performing Arts Center Relaxed Performances- Contact this venue for relaxed performances that feature feature modified sound, a quiet room and the ability to get out of your seat so children with autism and special needs may share in these family experiences.
January also brings the launch of MPAC’s new Performing Arts classes using the methodology of The Miracle Project, the Los Angeles-based organization that utilizes music, dance, and theater to unlock the creativity, personalities, and great potential of children on the autism spectrum and with other special needs.
Top Soccer- Held in the Fall US Youth Soccer TOPSoccer (The Outreach Program for Soccer) is a community-based training and team placement program for young athletes with disabilities, organized by youth soccer association volunteers. The program is designed to bring the opportunity of learning and playing soccer to any boy or girl, who has a mental or physical disability. Our goal is to enable the thousands of young athletes with disabilities to become valued and successful members of the US Youth Soccer family.
The activities take place in the Field House on Sparta Avenue. Parents and guardians are required to remain on-site during each session. TOPSoccer is funded through sponsors so there is no cost to the participants. Registration forms can be found on the TOPSoccer website. For additional information contact Gil Gibbs 973-670-7217 or Shauna Stanley.
The Monarchs Ice Hockey Team are a non-profit collaborative initiative to enable participation in organized youth sports programs with a focus on teamwork, sportsmanship and fair play through scholarships, access to facilities and equipment, player and coaching development and mentoring. Monarchs children develop positive self-esteem and learn skills to help them lead healthy, successful lives.
The Monarchs offer several programs, all starting with our Learn to Skate sessions on Monday nights where we teach the basics. Once the athlete is determined by the Coaches to be ready, they can graduate into any of several tracks: including hockey, speed skating and figure skating.
Class Requirements
Participants enrolled in on-ice programs are required to wear a helmet with a cage. Rental skates are available on a first-come, first served basis at no additional charge.
Levels & Types: Learn to Skate, Special Hockey, Sled Hockey, Figure Skating, Pro Performance Training (located upstairs in the gym)
For more information & to register please visit www.monarchs.us
The Lake Hopatcong Elks Club Lake Hopatcaong Their Special Children's Committee is very active and are dedicated to making a difference in the lives of our area special needs children. Every year we host holiday parties for the children so that they can experience the same joy as every other child. These holiday parties include an Easter Party with a visit from the Easter Bunny. Another favorite is our Halloween Party complete with a "Trunk or Treat" event where our lodge members open and decorate their car trunks and provide treats to the children as they go Trick or Treating from car to car in the safe environment of our lodge parking lot. An end-of-the-year favorite is our Christmas Party, with a special visit from Santa! This year we added another exciting event - our Special Children' Prom. This event was so memorable for our special kids as they got to experience the magical feeling of going to the Prom, one that many of these kids have never had. For more information, or to volunteer to help for one of these events, contact the Special Children's Committee Chairperson Wayne McDonnell at 862-579-5615.
Autism Radio and Hope Saves The Day, - Offer special services to those who qualify. Some of the services they offer are "Swim For Hope" Program, Therapeutic Horseback Riding, IPADS for Autism, Giving Hope Martial Arts Program, Music Therapy Program. Visit their website for more details.
Chuck E. Cheese's Sensory Friendly Sunday (First Sunday of Each Month)
Chuck E. Cheese's locations open two hours early on the first Sunday of every month for "Sensory Sundays," with reduced lighting and noise, food, games and a trained staff.
Participating New Jersey locations include Brick, Bridgewater, Cherry Hill, Deptford, East Hanover, Edison, Jersey City, Mays Landing, Middletown, North Bergen, Paramus, Union, Wayne and West Windsor. For info, go to chuckecheese.com.
*If you know someone who has a child with special needs or teaches and cares for a child with special needs in our area, be sure to let them know about this resource. Also, if you know of any additional special needs or sensory-friendly events or activities we should add to our event calendar feel free to email me at danielleb@macaronikid.com
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