Support & Resources for the Special Needs Community

Where to find support groups, therapies, recreation and more for children with special needs and their families

COMPILED BY KATELIN WALLING

WHEN IT COMES

TO FINDING A RESOURCE FOR YOUR CHILD WITH A SPECIAL NEEDS DIAGNOSIS,

we know you want to choose the one that is best for your child and their needs. And, simply put, that can be stressful and time-consuming. What’s more? Many parents who are raising a child with special needs benefit from joining a support group with other parents who have the same experience. After all, being able to relate to or ask advice from others who have been there is invaluable. So we packed this directory full of resources for families of children with special needs—from support groups and recreational activities to child care options, therapies, and respite programs in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. If you know of a support group or resource we missed or have an idea for a new listing, send your recommendations to editorial@ dfwchild.com.

ADD & ADHD

Links of Hope Offers support and education to adult caregivers of children with ADHD, depression, OCD, and autism diagnoses. The support group offers two meetings: one that is the second Tuesday of every month, 9:30-10:30am, and one that is the fourth Thursday of every month, 5-6pm, via Zoom. It is free and all are welcome to join. Fort Worth, linksofhope@cookchildrens.org; cookchildrens.org.

ASPERGER’S & AUTISM

AUsome Moms A nonprofit that provides support, social opportunities, and education to Dallas-Fort Worth families with children on the autism spectrum. This organization offers a private Facebook group for moms to get support, encouragement, and advice. Flower Mound, kelly@ausomemoms.org; ausomemoms.org.

Families for Effective Autism

Treatment (FEAT-NT) Provides resources, support, education, and advocacy for families in the autism community. Check the calendar on the website for an updated list of events and support groups for all ages. Richland Hills, 682/626-5000; featnt.org.

CHILD CARE

Brighter Day Academy Fully inclusive day care for nonaggressive children with special needs, infant to age 12. Medications and breathing treatments can be given on-site if necessary. Children accepted case by case. Dallas, 214/265-8585.

BrightStar Care Offers in-home care for high-functioning children with special needs, including autism, cerebral palsy, spina bifida, and more. Availability of services is evaluated on a case-bycase basis. Multiple locations, 866/618-7827; brightstarcare.com.

Calab, Inc. Provides quality individualized childcare that encourages independence in individuals with disabilities. Multiple locations, calabinc.com.

The Clubhouse for Special

Needs Offers after-school, school holiday, summer, and all-day programs for teens and young adults (ages 13–22) with special needs. It provides a safe and fun place for individuals with special needs opportunities for education, socialization, recreation, and independence. Bedford, 817/2850885; director@theclubhouse.org; theclubhouse.org.

Easter Seals North Texas Child

Development Center Provides an inclusive preschool program for ages 6 weeks to 6 years where children with autism and neurotypical children learn alongside one another. Carrollton, 972/394-8900; easterseals.com/northtexas.

KinderFrogs School at TCU

This early intervention program provides early childhood education (ages 18 months to 6 years) for children with Down syndrome and other developmental delays. The preschool aims to prepare children to be successful in inclusive school and community settings. Fort Worth, 817/257-6828; kinderfrogs@tcu.edu; kinderfrogs. tcu.edu.

Mary’s House A nonprofit that provides day habilitation for adults with special needs. In addition, it offers before- and after-school care (Monday–Friday), summer programs, and therapeutic options for school-age teens (ages 13 and older) with special needs. Dalworthington Gardens, 817/459-4494; michelle@ maryshouseinc.org; facebook.com/ maryshousearlington.

Mom’s Best Friend The nanny agency and babysitter service provides referrals for in-home care for children of all ages with special needs throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Carrollton, 972/4460500; momsbestfriend.com.

CYSTIC FIBROSIS

Blue Caboose for Cystic Fibrosis

Provides back-to-school assistance, a Christmas toy drive,

a community parent network, and more to help families of children with cystic fibrosis. The adults-only support group meets monthly (location and date varies; see Facebook page or email for details). Dallas, 228/341-0403; kiri@bluecaboose.org.

DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES

North Texas FASD Network

Offers support and resources for parents of children and youth having or suspected of having fetal alcohol spectrum disorder. It has several support groups and family gatherings throughout the year in the DFW area. Visit the website or email for dates and locations of events. Multiple locations, northtexasfasd@gmail.com; northtexasfasd.org.

DOWN SYNDROME

Down Syndrome Partnership of

North Texas Provides information, social and educational activities, events, and support for new parents, families, and caregivers of individuals with Down syndrome. Fort Worth, 682/316-3121; info@dspnt.org; dspnt.org.

DYSLEXIA

International Dyslexia Associa-

tion – Dallas Branch Provides information and resources concerning learning differences to parents, educators, professionals, and anyone who wants to be more informed about dyslexia. The Dallas Dyslexia Information Group meets from 7–8:30pm on the second Monday of each month. Discussion topics change monthly; check the website for details. Dallas, 972/233-9107 x222; dal.dyslexiaida.org.

EQUESTRIAN THERAPY

Blue Sky Therapeutic Riding &

Respite Provides a safe, happy, and healthy therapeutic community that works to empower and propel individuals with special needs to their fullest potential through therapeutic horseback riding, respite, vocational, and entrepreneurial opportunities. Krugerville, 469/450-9594; blueskytexas.org.

Born 2 Be Therapeutic Eques-

trian Center A therapeutic riding and carriage driving program dedicated to providing the opportunity for individuals to become all they were born to be through a partnership with the horse. Individuals ages 5 and older with special needs build skills such as leadership, trust, assertiveness, self-confidence, patience, communication, decision making, stress management, and team building. Sanger, 940/595-8200; born2betec@gmail.com; born2betec.org.

Equest Strengthens and rehabilitates children, adults, and veterans with physical, cognitive, sensory, emotional, and learning disabilities through equine-facilitated programs and therapies. Programs are taught by credentialed professionals and assisted by more than 400 trained volunteers. Dallas, 972/412-1099; equest.org.

Grace Lake Ministries, Inc. A God-centered therapeutic riding program with the goal of partnering with horses to develop life skills for those with diverse physical, developmental, and emotional needs. Riders include anyone in need of hope and healing, including children and adults with disabilities or social challenges. Anna, 972/837-4621; gracelakeministries.org.

ManeGait Therapeutic Horse-

manship Provides a fun, enriching, and supportive environment for riders with special needs to reach their potential. Offers smallgroup and private lessons taught by certified riding instructors with the assistance of volunteer aides. As much as possible, riders participate in pre-mounted and post-mounted horse care. McKinney, 469/742-9611; manegait.org.

New Hope Equine Assisted

Therapy Provides therapeutic horseback riding services for people with a wide variety of disabilities. The program is designed to bring hope, healing, and happiness to riders through encouraging horse and human connection. Argyle, 817/729-5315; newhopeequine.com.

Riding Unlimited Provides smallgroup horsemanship lessons for individuals with special needs ages 4 and up. Participants gain physical, cognitive, and socialemotional benefits through the movement of the horse, accomplishing new skills, and forming a bond with their equine partners. Ponder, 940/479-2016; ridingunlimited.org.

Stable Strides Farm Therapeu-

tic Riding Children and adults ages 2 and older with physical, emotional, social, or cognitive disabilities learn to become effective, competitive riders. Students are encouraged to ride independently as soon and as safely as possible. Riders participate in the Special Olympics and other competitions and shows. Flower Mound, 940/595-3600; stablestridesfarm.org.

Unbridled Horse Therapy

Aims to effectively intercede and encourage unrealized potential for those with special needs and disabilities through the connection between horse and rider and the use of physical, speech, and behavioral therapy. Copper Canyon, 817/319-7778; shelly@unbridledhorsetherapy.com; unbridledhorsetherapy.com.

Victory Therapy Center Cares for the physical, mental, and emotional needs of children, adults, veterans, first responders, and their families through the healing power of horses. Roanoke, 682/831-1323; victorytherapy.org.

MENTAL ILLNESS

Mental Health America of

Greater Dallas A nonprofit that works to stop the stigma around mental illness and build awareness of mental health issues while providing resources from providers in the community. Offers multiple support groups at varying times; check the website for details. Dallas, 214/871-2420; mhadallas.org.

OBSESSIVECOMPULSIVE

Links of Hope Offers support and education to adult caregivers of children with ADHD, depression, OCD, and autism diagnoses. The support group offers two meetings: one that is the second Tuesday of every month, 9:30-10:30am, and one that is the fourth Thursday of every month, 5-6pm, via Zoom. It is free and all are welcome to join. Fort Worth, linksofhope@cookchildrens.org; cookchildrens.org.

OCD and Anxiety Support

Group DFW Support group for families and friends of individuals with OCD and other anxiety disorders. Meetings are online and free; fill out the contact form on the website for more information. ocdsupportgroupdfw.wordpress.com.

RECREATION

ACEing Autism Nonprofit organization that provides weekly tennis clinics for children (ages 5–17 years) and adults (ages 18 and older; Richardson and Denton locations only) with autism. In addition to teaching tennis skills, the program works on improving small and gross motor skills, hand-eye coordination, social skills and overall fitness. Sessions are held in the fall (mid-September to mid-November), spring (February to early April) and summer (June to mid-July). Richardson, 214/901-9010; aceingautism.org/ locations/dallas-tx. McKinney, 973/362-6591; aceingautism.org/ locations/mckinney-tx. Denton, 940/595-2392; aceingautism.org/ locations/denton-tx. Fort Worth, 262/751-3487; aceingautism.org/ locations/fort-worth-tx.

Angel League Baseball Program

A baseball program for boys and girls (ages 4–15) with physical or mental disabilities and an adult league for individuals (ages 16–60) with mental disabilities. Seasons last 10 weeks in the spring (starting in March) and 8 weeks in the fall (starting in September). Rockwall, 972/722-6001; angelleague.org.

STEM

G U I D E

Parents know careers in science are growing at a rapid rate, and you may be anxious to give your budding inventor, entrepreneur or scientist an integrated education. Explore these STEM programs—from critical thinking games and hands-on labs to robotics and coding—to help prepare your child for a future in technology.

Prince of Peace Christian School Home of the POPCS SmartLab®

Prince of Peace Christian School offers students a hands-on, immersive learning environment where they can explore and discover a wide range of applied technologies. The unique SmartLab® setting offers students a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics) learning experience that incorporates problem solving, critical thinking, design and innovation with important soft skills such as public speaking and collaboration. The program reinforces academics with real-world learning while building next-generational skills, taking students from consumers of technology to producers of technology.

POPCS SmartLab® activities include robotics, software engineering, mechanics and structures, circuitry, scientific data and analysis, alternative energy, computer graphics, and digital media arts. Students engage in authentic first-hand experiences, building and inspiring interest in STEAM activities in the years to come!

POPCS boasts two state-of-the-art SmartLab® spaces, a 3,000-square-foot lab in the Lower School, dedicated to students in Kindergarten–Grade 5, and a 1,200-squarefoot lab that serves Middle and Upper School students. The two labs make POPCS one of only two schools in Texas with a K–12 SmartLab® program!

4004 Midway Road Carrollton, TX 75007 972-447-0532 popcs.org

Inspiring STEM Learning in the Classroom

The Martin Science Exploration Center at Southwest Christian School allows students to experience hands-on learning in conjunction with the science curriculum taught in the classroom. This unique lab opportunity gives our students a STEM learning environment where they can use their natural curiosity to be problem solvers, critical thinkers and innovators.

Additionally, our Living Science Center (the Farm), provides an outdoor classroom that focuses on both life and earth sciences. Students work on projects including organic gardening, composting, sustainable agriculture, water conservation and greenhouse vegetable farming to name a few. Visit us to learn more, southwestchristian.org.

Southwest Christian School 6801 Dan Danciger Road Fort Worth, TX 76133 southwestchristian.org

STEAM Through Project-Based Learning

Fort Worth Academy challenges students through an academically advanced program that rewards intellectual risk-taking and encourages the pursuit of excellence. Immersive and collaborative experiences engage students and prepare them for success in high school, college, and beyond. At FWA, authentic STEAM experiences empower young people to think critically in a diverse environment to become the innovators and problem solvers of tomorrow.

7301 Dutch Branch Rd. Fort Worth, TX 76132 817-370-1191 fwacademy.org

Irving Archives and Museum has it all! STEM, Invention Lab, History and so much more!

Open Wednesday–Saturday, 10am–4pm, and Sunday, 12–4pm. Visitors have the opportunity to explore Irving’s pioneer past and multicultural present. IAM’s primary goal is to connect with the community in an environment that welcomes everyone. IAM also brings a first-of-its-kind to Texas, a Smithsonian Spark!Lab. In Spark!Lab, we believe everyone is inventive. Every day we provide opportunities for children and families to explore their inventive creativity—to create, innovate, collaborate, and problem-solve—because these experiences empower kids to develop the skills and confidence they need to succeed today and in the future.

Irving Archives and Museum 801 W. Irving Blvd., Irving, TX 75060 972-721-3700 irvingarchivesandmuseum.com