Activities that Help with Therapy and Development If you have a child with special needs, you are most likely very familiar with the therapeutic activities your child participates in when they are with a therapist. While one-on-one work with a professional therapist is best for your child, there are also many activities for special needs children that you can do at home with your child to help assist their routine therapy appointments. Also, if you plan to take a vacation, irregular therapeutic practice can set the child's developments back temporarily. These activities for special needs children are a simple way to keep your child developing and learning in between therapy sessions. Physical Activities that Help with Physical Therapy Some of the best physical activities for special needs children are also activities that can be enjoyed as a family. Take your child to the pool to practice moving and swimming in the water. In shallow water, your child can use water aerobic weights or other floating toys to play with and work on muscle building in his or her upper arms. Your child can also wear an old pair of sneakers into the shallow end and practice walking around in the water. The added weight adds a challenge, as well as strengthens leg muscles. Just be sure to supervise your child at all times. Horseback riding is also a fun and therapeutic exercise. With horseback riding, your...

Home activities like swimming, horseback riding, and narrating tasks can aid a special needs child's therapy and development.

Activities that Help with Development

  Activities that Help with Therapy and Development    If you have a child with special needs, you are most likely very familiar with the therapeutic activities your child participates in when they are with a therapist. While one-on-one work with a professional therapist is best for your child, there are also many activities for special needs children that you can do at home with your child to help assist their routine therapy appointments. Also, if you plan to take a vacation, irregular therapeutic practice can set the child's developments back temporarily. These activities for special needs children are a simple way to keep your child developing and learning in between therapy sessions.    Physical Activities that Help with Physical Therapy    Some of the best physical activities for special needs children are also activities that can be enjoyed as a family. Take your child to the pool to practice moving and swimming in the water. In shallow water, your child can use water aerobic weights or other floating toys to play with and work on muscle building in his or her upper arms. Your child can also wear an old pair of sneakers into the shallow end and practice walking around in the water. The added weight adds a challenge, as well as strengthens leg muscles. Just be sure to supervise your child at all times.    Horseback riding is also a fun and therapeutic exercise. With horseback riding, your...

Home activities like swimming, horseback riding, and narrating tasks can aid a special needs child's therapy and development.

As the long, lazy days of summer approach, most of us look forward to the refuge from the mad rush of school mornings, homework evenings and extracurricular bedlam. But our kids still need some kind of framework for summer days. This is a deeper concern for parents whose special needs kids are vulnerable to regression when structure is removed. Here are some ideas for family fun that will maximize your child's success over the summer: Playgrounds built with special needs children in mind are fun for all kids. Try Shane's Inspiration in Griffith Park, Martin Luther King, Jr. park on Western Avenue and Aidan's Place in West Los Angeles. Find more at shanesinspiration.org. Water, Water, Everywhere! The Helen and Peter Bing Children's Garden at the Huntington is a paradise for children who love water, with magical "fog" glens and interactive fountains. Bring towels, a change of clothes and plenty of sunscreen. huntington.org. Nearby Kidspace offers a courtyard with water jets, as well as a wading stream and waterfall in their "backyard" play area, in addition to fantastic indoor and outdoor climbing structures and hands-on learning opportunities. Footwear is required, so bring crocs, sandals, or water shoes. Kidspacemuseum.org  California Science Center's new "Ecosystems" exhibit provides eight different environments–including the River Zone, the Extreme Zone (with a real flash "flood" which rumbles through every ten minutes) and the Rot Room replete with such kid-pleasing critters as roaches, millipedes and maggots. There is also a lovely outside space, where kids can watch...

Explore summer activities for special needs kids, including playgrounds, water gardens, science exhibits, pools, and horseback riding.

Summer Fun for Families with Special Needs Kids

Explore summer activities for special needs kids, including playgrounds, water gardens, science exhibits, pools, and horseback riding.

Horseback riding therapy isn't recreational riding with accommodations. It's a biomechanical intervention that uses the rhythmic, three-dimensional movement of a horse's gait to address specific motor deficits in children with cerebral palsy. The horse's movement pattern closely mimics the pelvis motion during human walking, which means a child who can't walk independently still receives input their nervous system can process as gait training. Many families hear about therapeutic riding and assume it's a leisure activity with therapeutic benefits tacked on. That assumption costs them clarity on what they're paying for and whether insurance might cover it. The distinction between hippotherapy (a physical or occupational therapy intervention directed by a licensed PT or OT) and therapeutic riding (a structured recreational activity led by certified instructors) matters because one may be reimbursable and the other won't be. How Horseback Movement Affects Motor Function in CP. A horse's walk produces a rhythmic, repetitive pelvic motion that transfers through the rider's body at a rate similar to human walking. For a child with cerebral palsy, this input does several things. It challenges trunk stability without requiring weight-bearing through the legs. It provides rhythmic sensory feedback that can temporarily reduce spasticity patterns. It demands postural adjustments in response to the horse's movement, which builds motor planning and balance reactions. The child isn't learning to ride. They're receiving controlled, graded movement input that their body would otherwise not experience. A PT or OT using hippotherapy directs the session with specific goals: improving head control, increasing trunk...

Therapeutic riding uses equine movement to address trunk control, spasticity, and motor planning in CP. Find certified programs.

Horseback Riding Therapy for Children with Cerebral Palsy

Horseback riding therapy isn't recreational riding with accommodations. It's a biomechanical intervention that uses the rhythmic, three-dimensional movement of a horse's gait to address specific motor deficits in children with cerebral palsy. The horse's movement pattern closely mimics the pelvis motion during human walking, which means a child who can't walk independently still receives input their nervous system can process as gait training. Many families hear about therapeutic riding and assume it's a leisure activity with therapeutic benefits tacked on. That assumption costs them clarity on what they're paying for and whether insurance might cover it. The distinction between hippotherapy (a physical or occupational therapy intervention directed by a licensed PT or OT) and therapeutic riding (a structured recreational activity led by certified instructors) matters because one may be reimbursable and the other won't be. How Horseback Movement Affects Motor Function in CP. A horse's walk produces a rhythmic, repetitive pelvic motion that transfers through the rider's body at a rate similar to human walking. For a child with cerebral palsy, this input does several things. It challenges trunk stability without requiring weight-bearing through the legs. It provides rhythmic sensory feedback that can temporarily reduce spasticity patterns. It demands postural adjustments in response to the horse's movement, which builds motor planning and balance reactions. The child isn't learning to ride. They're receiving controlled, graded movement input that their body would otherwise not experience. A PT or OT using hippotherapy directs the session with specific goals: improving head control, increasing trunk...

Therapeutic riding uses equine movement to address trunk control, spasticity, and motor planning in CP. Find certified programs.

Horseback Riding Therapy for Children with Cerebral Palsy

You're already logged in! If you've forgotten your password and would like to reset it, <a href="/logout/?redirect=/forgot-password/" alt="Logout page link" title="Logout page link">log out</a> first.

Forgot Password

Login

Zippedy Zap, You're Out!

Poof! You're Logged Out!

Logged Out and Ready to Go!

See You Later, Friend!

Bye for Now!

Farewell, Buddy!

Adios, Amigo!

Until Next Time!

So Long, Friend!

Ciao, Buddy!

Bon Voyage, Friend!

Goodbye for Now!

Hasta Luego, Amigo!

Catch You Later!

See You Soon!

Farewell for Now!

Bye-Bye, Friend!

Until We Meet Again!

Logout

Let's give you a brand new password. Please fill in the boxes below with your details. 📋✏️

The reset ID you provided is invalid. Please check the link you used to get here and try again. To request a new reset link, please visit the <a href="/forgot-password/">forgot password page</a>. 🔄

Let's get your password reset. Please fill in the boxes below with your details. 📋✏️

Reset Password 🔑

Your password has been reset! You can now <a href="/login/" alt="Login page link" title="Login page link">log in</a> with your new password. 🔒

Aw, shucks! We're not quite ready for more friends to join in just yet. 😿But here's the good news! We have a special, sparkly waitlist made just for you! 🥳🎉All you have to do is hop over to <a href='/waitlist/' alt='Waitlist Page' title='Waitlist Page'>the waitlist</a> and sign up. We'll get everything ready and before you know it, you'll be part of our SpecialNeeds.com family!🌟🤗💕 We can't wait to see you soon, 😃

Let's get you signed up so you can join our family. Please fill in the boxes below with your details. 📋✏️

Sign Up

The link you clicked appears to have embarked on its own adventure. Double-check it and let's try again, explorer! 🧭

Just a few more details and your fantastic journey begins! 😊 Rest assured, your data is as safe as a treasure in a dragon's den! 🐉🔒

Checkout

Title

Contact Listing Owner 🗣️

Looks like you need to join our fantastic community to contact the owner. Sign up now and dive into the adventure! 🎉

Whoa, There! 🖐️

This magical form lets you send an initial message to the listing owner. Just jot down a snappy topic (50 characters or less) and your message. Let's get the conversation rolling! 💌

Step right up! 🎪

Find local special needs events near you.

Events

Frequently Asked Questions

Discover the inspiring stories and experiences of our users who have found invaluable resources, support, and connections through SpecialNeeds.com.

Feedback

John Luthor

SpecialNeeds.com has been instrumental in helping me find the right resources for my child. The wealth of information and supportive community is invaluable.

Sarah Taylor

As a teacher, SpecialNeeds.com is my go-to website for understanding my students' diverse needs. The strategies and tips shared have been very helpful.

Alex Hales

The user interface of SpecialNeeds.com is very friendly and easy to navigate. It's a great platform with a lot of useful features for individuals with special needs.

David Warner

SpecialNeeds.com is a beacon of hope for parents like us. The online resources are fantastic and the supportive community is heartwarming.

Jessica Brown

The speech therapy resources on SpecialNeeds.com are top-notch. They've been incredibly helpful in my practice.

Michael Johnson

I've found so much support and understanding in the SpecialNeeds.com community. It has made all the difference for my family.

Emily Davis

SpecialNeeds.com is an invaluable tool in my classroom. The educational resources and community support are amazing.

Oliver Smith

SpecialNeeds.com offers practical and actionable occupational therapy strategies. It's a resource I use daily in my practice.

Sophia Miller

Navigating the world of special needs parenting can be challenging, but SpecialNeeds.com provides resources and a community that truly help.

User’s Feedback About SpecialNeeds.com

Guide your special needs-related business to reach its full potential. Here's the straightforward path to success

Begin by signing up for an account to join our community and initiate your journey.

Join Our Community

With your account set up, it's time to create your business listing. A well-crafted and engaging listing can attract more visitors.

Create Your Listing

Choose from our range of packages for your listing, including various features to suit your needs. We offer multiple options, including a free package.

Select Your Package

Once you submit your listing, our team will review it. Upon approval, your listing will be published on the site for public viewing.

Await Approval

Congratulations! Your listing is now live. You can view it on our site and begin attracting new visitors.

Your Listing is Live

How It Works

Discover our extensive directory featuring a wide range of special needs-related listings. Add your listing to join our growing community.

Explore Our Directory

Engage directly with users through our messaging feature. Manage all your conversations efficiently from your dashboard.

Connect and Communicate

Draw more visitors and grow your business. You have full control over your listing and can update or modify it as needed from your dashboard.

Enhance Your Listing

Supporting Your Business Growth

New Chat Received! 🎉

Enter your name

Pricing

Privacy Policy

Hi there! At SpecialNeeds.com, we care a lot about keeping your information private. We promise to do our best to keep your information safe and sound. This means we collect only the necessary information to provide you with the best possible experience on our site, and we take all the necessary steps to protect your information from unauthorized access, use, or disclosure.

1. Our Promise

When you join our site, we collect your email, display name, and password. We don't ever collect your location unless you tell us it's okay. Additionally, we use various analytics tools, which may collect other information like which pages you visit on our site, your IP address, and other data related to your use of our site. These tools help us understand how our site is used and enable us to improve your experience.

2. What We Collect

We collect information from you when you fill out forms on our site, like when you sign up. We also use cookies and Google Analytics to learn more about how you use our site. If you choose to enable the distance search feature, we'll collect your location information after getting your consent by clicking a button.

3. How We Collect It

We use your information to help you use our site and to make our site better for you. We also use it to see how people use our site, so we can make it better for everyone. Your location information, if you choose to share it, is used to help you find resources and services near you.

4. How We Use It

The majority of your information is kept confidential and is not shared with any third parties outside of SpecialNeeds.com. However, for users interacting with our directory listings (such as camps, schools, etc.), we may share aggregated and anonymized analytics data with the owners of these listings. This data may include metrics like the number of page views, time spent on the site, and other related usage statistics. It's important to note that this shared data will not include any personally identifiable information and is solely used to provide insights to our paid listing owners.

5. Who We Share It With

We use some fancy tech stuff to keep your information safe, like HTTPS for secure browsing, bcrypt to keep your password safe, and encryption to keep your location safe if you choose to share it with us. We also store your encrypted location information (if provided) in your browser's local storage and not on our servers, to add an extra layer of security.

6. How We Keep It Safe

You can change your email and password whenever you want. You can't change your display name once it's set, though. If you want to delete your account, you can do that, too. And remember, you can always tell us to stop using your location info by revoking your consent.

7. Changing or Deleting Your Info

Our site isn't made for kids under 13. We don't collect information from anyone under 13, and if we become aware of any such information, we will take steps to delete it.

8. Kids Under 13

Our site is made for people in the U.S. Even though we collect some information from people outside the U.S. through Google Analytics, our website is not targeted at them, and we do not use their information for anything other than Google Analytics.

9. People Outside the U.S.

Sometimes we might need to change this policy. If we do, we'll send you an email, and we'll put a notice on our site and on our social media accounts, if we have any. Please keep checking so you always know our latest policy.

10. Changes to This Policy

Remember, we're here to help. If you have any questions about this privacy policy, just ask!

Privacy Policy for SpecialNeeds.com

Terms and Conditions

Terms and Conditions for SpecialNeeds.com

Hi there! Welcome to SpecialNeeds.com. We're a website that helps people learn about special needs resources, like camps, schools, and therapists. We also share articles and news about special needs topics. But before you start exploring, we need you to understand and agree to our rules.

1. Welcome to Our Site!

Our site is primarily made for people who are 13 years or older. However, individuals under the age of 13 may access the content on our site under the supervision of a parent or legal guardian. While they cannot register for an account, they are welcome to read and learn from the information available with appropriate guidance.

2. Who Can Use Our Site

We want everyone to have a good time here, so we have some rules. You can't use our site to do anything illegal, to bother other people, to share spam, or to post mean or offensive things. And please, don't share anything that belongs to someone else without their permission.

3. Our Rules

Users can add items to our directory, but we'll need to say okay first. We use a smart computer program to check if anything mean or offensive gets posted. And we'll take down anything that's not okay right away.

4. Adding to Our Directory

If you break any of our rules, we might have to stop your account. This means you won't be able to use our site anymore. We don't want to do this, but sometimes we have to.

5. Accounts and What Can Happen

We do our best to share good, helpful information. But we can't promise that everything is perfect or right for you. We're not doctors, and we don't give medical advice. Always check with your own doctor or do your own research.

6. What We Can Promise

If we have a disagreement, we'd like to work it out with you. But if we can't, then we'll have to ask a neutral person or group (this is called an arbitrator) to help us solve it.

7. What Happens If We Disagree

Sometimes we might need to change these rules. If we do, we'll send you an email, and post on our social media accounts, if we have any. Please keep checking so you always know our latest rules.

8. Changes to These Rules

Remember, we're here to help. If you have any questions about these terms and conditions, just ask!

At SpecialNeeds.com, we strive to foster a community of trust and reliability. One significant way we ensure this trust is through our Verified Badge. You may have spotted this little checkmark symbol on our platform. But do you know what it signifies? Allow us to pull back the curtain on this important aspect of our platform. The Verified Badge isn't merely decorative - it's a symbol of authenticity, accuracy, and connection. When you see this badge associated with a company, you can rest assured that the company has been thoroughly vetted and is confirmed to be genuine. But how do we ascertain this genuineness? The process is both rigorous and meticulous. To earn the Verified Badge, a company representative or a SpecialNeeds.com staff member must first register with us and provide evidence of their affiliation with the company. This is typically in the form of a business email address. However, the badge doesn't just signify affiliation. It's also a testament to accuracy. The representative or our staff member is responsible for verifying all information associated with the company - from contact details to rates and features. Only when every piece of information has been scrutinized and confirmed do we award the coveted Verified Badge. Maintaining the Verified Badge isn't a one-time effort - it requires an annual renewal. Each year, company representatives are required to reaffirm their details and reverify their information. This ensures that the data associated with Verified Badge holders remains up-to-date and accurate. If the information isn't refreshed yearly, the Verified Badge status lapses. This renewal requirement serves as an ongoing commitment to accuracy, reinforcing our dedication to providing reliable, current information for our community. But why is this badge important? Why should you, as a user of our platform, trust it? The answer is simple. The Verified Badge is your compass on SpecialNeeds.com, guiding you with the assurance of truth and reliability. This badge is our commitment to you. It's our guarantee that the information you're viewing has been checked for accuracy and confirmed for authenticity. Whenever you see this badge, you know you're looking at a company that has been meticulously verified. That's our promise to you. So, as you explore the vibrant world of special needs-related businesses on SpecialNeeds.com, remember to look out for our Verified Badge. It's more than a symbol - it's the mark of trust you can rely on.

Verified Badge

Verified Listing: Last verified <lastVerified>. Click to learn more.

Special Needs
Articles

Activities that Help with Development

Summer Fun for Families with Special Needs Kids

Horseback Riding Therapy for Children with Cerebral Palsy

Find Providers Near You

Special Needs Articles

Activities that Help with Development

Summer Fun for Families with Special Needs Kids

Horseback Riding Therapy for Children with Cerebral Palsy

Find Providers Near You

Special Needs
Articles