MetroKids SpecialKids 2018

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2018

750+ Care

Resources

80

SCHOOLS

+•Autism •Learning Differences •Significant Support

SADDLE Up Hippotherapy Options•Tech Advantage•Partner with Your Doctor Manage Mealtime and Autism•Know Your Legal Rights

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A MetroKids Publication MetroKids.com/SpecialKids

Joy and laughter are part of our curriculum.

Private Special Education … an Option You Should Know About!

Sometimes, it starts with a twinkle in the eye. Just a little spark of curiosity that soon blossoms into a journey of discovery, learning and achievement. That’s because at our private special education schools, we see beyond a child’s disability, and awaken the joy and creative expression within.

Our schools are welcoming places where students feel at home and are able to enjoy a rich and rewarding social life. Our students feel cherished, well cared for and respected for a very good reason—it is part of our mission and our commitment.

Students at our special education schools experience a school day as it should be—filled with discovery, achievement, learning and friendship. Here, they have people they know they can count on—outstanding teachers, therapists, counselors, psychologists and job coaches who constantly encourage and support them.

With individualized attention, on-site therapies and vocational training, our schools deliver unparalleled services for students with special needs. Our New Jersey Department of Education certified special education teachers, licensed therapists and counselors provide expert, advanced instruction and support … along with plenty of smiles.

These unique services are provided at NO COST for families.

Find out if private special education is the right fit for your child. Our staff can help answer your questions.

To find out more about what programs may be right for your child, call us at 1-800-697-8555 or visit SpecialEducationSchools.org

Brookfield Schools | HollyDELL School | Garfield Park Academy | Larc School | St. John of God Community Services Copyright ©2018 Coalition of Special Education Schools

1412-1414 Pine St., Philadelphia, PA 19102 215-291-5560; 856-667-3555; 302-224-3020 Toll Free: 888-890-4668 Fax: 215-291-5565

THE RESOURCE FOR FAMILIES WITH SPECIAL NEEDS 2018

Visit us online at MetroKids.com/specialkids President: Nancy Lisagor, PhD, ext. 109 nlisagor@metrokids.com Publisher: Darlene Weinmann, ext. 108 dweinmann@metrokids.com Managing Editor: Dave Gilmartin,, ext. 102 editor@metrokids.com Resource Editor: Cheyenne Shaffer, ext. 101 calendar@metrokids.com Contributing Writers: Terri Akman, Suzanne Koup-Larsen, Frank Lipsius, Kathy O’Connell, Ann L. Rappoport, PhD Production Manager: Veronica Hanna, ext. 103 production@metrokids.com Finance: Marcella Reis, ext. 104 finance@metrokids.com Marketing/Circulation: Susan Braverman, ext. 100 info@metrokids.com Interns: Jada Davis

ADVERTISING SALES

Your child with special needs deserves the best access to care and advice. This edition of SpecialKids® is where you can find it. For 24 years, we have compiled the most up-to-date and trusted list of resources serving the special-needs community both nationally and within Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware.

This issue contains more than 750 places where you can find care, advice, support and fun for your child and your family.

The Special Needs School Survey (p. 24) covers more than 80 schools, divided into sections, to help find the best fit for your child: schools that support students who have autism spectrum disorders, schools for students with learning differences and schools for students who require significant support. You’ll also find staff-to-student ratios and information on educational approaches, support services, technology, vocational services and extracurriculars.

In addition to the resource lists, the Guide has stories that can inspire you to start a business for your kids; learn how a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling impacts your child’s educational rights; see how to partner with your doctor; discover how horses can help with therapy; find tips to make mealtime less of a struggle and explore ways to make travel with the kids go smoothly.

SpecialKids is published by MetroKids, a monthly parenting publication with a SpecialKids column in each issue. The Guide includes a carefully researched and curated collection of resources to empower families as they support their child with special needs. We strive to make it better each year, so send suggestions or feedback on any errors or omissions to editor@metrokids.com.

888-890-4668 Chrisy Holsopple Pam Kuperschmidt Emily Ondik Samantha Tuttle Classified Sales

ext. 111 ext. 120 ext. 105 ext. 106 ext. 100

Special thanks to our sponsors for their generous support: GOLD

We welcome your ideas and feedback. Write us at editor@metrokids.com or find us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google Plus and Instagram.

MetroKids® is published monthly by KidStuff Publications, Inc. © 2018 MetroKids® Magazine. All rights reserved by KidStuff Publications, Inc. ISSN 1094-8503. Reproduction without permission is prohibited. Publisher is not responsible for unsolicited material. MetroKids® or KidStuff Pub­lica­t­ions do not assume responsibility for statements or opinions expressed by editorial contributors or advertisers. MetroKids® and SpecialKids® are trademarks of KidStuff Publications, Inc. The acceptance of advertising does not constitute an endorsement of the products, services or information. We do not knowingly present any product or service which is fraudulent or misleading in nature. Advertisers indemnify and hold harmless the publisher from any claim and all loss, expense, or liability arising out of the publication of any advertisement.

SUBSCRIPTIONS: U.S.A. $36, one year; $72, two years. Single copies free.

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2018

Table of Contents Introduction.............................................. 3 ADVOCACY Advocacy Guide ................................................................ 6

ASSISTIVE TECH Cutting-Edge Technology ....................... 8

EDUCATION Inclusion Benefits All Students .............. 22 Special Needs School Survey.......................................... 24 Education Guide ............................................................... 32

EVALUATION Evaluation Guide ..............................................................36

FUNDING Funding Guide .................................................................. 37

GOVERNMENT Government Guide ...........................................................38

CAMP Horseriding as Therapy......................... 10 Camp Guide ......................................................................12

CARE Care Guide........................................................................ 15

Grandparents Can Be a Help.................16 DAYCARE Daycare Guide ................................................................. 17

LEGAL

EARLY INTERVENTION & PRESCHOOL

Court Ruling Impacts Special Education Laws ........................ 39

Early Intervention & Preschool Guide.............................. 18

Legal Guide ....................................................................... 41

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SpecialKids 2018

MEDICAL Make Your Doctor a Partner ........................................ 42 Medical Guide ................................................................................................... 44

ORGANIZATIONS Organizations Guide ........................................................................................ 46 All/multiple disabilities....................................................................................... 46 Asperger syndrome/autism............................................................................... 48 Cancer................................................................................................................. 49 Cerebral palsy.................................................................................................... 49 Communication/hearing impairments/social disorders................................. 49 Developmental disabilities/Down syndrome................................................... 50 Emotional/behavioral disorders....................................................................... 50 Epilepsy/seizure disorders.................................................................................51 HIV........................................................................................................................51 Learning disabilities/ADHD................................................................................51 Multiple sclerosis..................................................................................................51 Physical disabilities..............................................................................................51 Tourette syndrome............................................................................................... 53 Visual impairments/blind................................................................................... 53

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES Manage Mealtime ........................................................ 54 Professional Services.......................................................................................... 55

RECREATION Tips for Traveling ........................................................... 56 Recreational Guide ............................................................................................ 58

RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT CENTERS Residential Treatment Center Guide ..................................................................62

TRANSPORTATION Transportation Guide ......................................................................................... 63

VOCATIONAL Exceptional Entrepreneurs ........................................... 64 Vocational Guide ............................................................................................... 65

Advertiser Index ........................................................... 66 Directory Index.............................................................. 67 SpecialKids 2018

How to Use the 2018 Guide We know how busy your life is, so we’ve made it easy for you to locate the information you need right now!

There are two ways to find every listing and advertiser printed in this guide:

To find services and providers by category: The Table of Contents is arranged by topic in alphabetical order and topics also appear in the guide in that order.

These categories are color-coded and can be easily navigated by looking at the colored title bars and labels on the top of every page.

If you know the name of the resource: Look it up in the Advertiser Index (p. 66) or Directory Index (p. 67).

Within all listings, advertiser names appear in teal and an arrow notes the page number where you will find additional information.

Listings for Assistive Technology and Professional Services along with the listings for every category provided in this printed guide are available on our extensive, searchable website: MetroKids.com/specialkids

Even more information!

Sign up for our biweekly SpecialKids e-blasts for local, custom-tailored special needs coverage plus fantastic area events. Just visit MetroKids.com/ enews and select Special Needs Update. Also join our SpecialKids Social Media page to connect with other parents in the community.

Facebook.com/SpecialKids

Connect with Us

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ADVOCACY Agencies that provide educational and legal information about rights and entitlements.

Act of PA, LLC

1002 Spruce St., Pottstown, PA 19464 215-801-2501 Actofpa.com

Provides educational advocacy support when parents need extra help securing services for a child with special needs to be successful in an academic setting.

Advancing Opportunities

1005 Whitehead Rd. Ext., Ewing NJ 08638 888-322-1918 Advopps.org

Family support, recreation, assistive technology, augmentative communication evaluations & residential programs.

Arc of Delaware County, The 740 S. Chester Rd. Swarthmore, PA 19081 610-544-6600 Thearcofdelco.org

Advocacy for individuals with intellectual & developmental disabilities & their families.

Autism Delaware

924 Old Harmony Rd., Newark, DE 19713 302-224-6020 Autismdelaware.org

Provides support, advocacy (state and local levels), recreational and social opportunies, adult vocation and clinical services for DE residents affected by autism spectrum disorders.

Offices in Dover and Lewes too.

Family Support Organizations, NJ Dept. of Child Behavioral Services Burlington Co.

Parent Information Center of Delaware 404 Larch Circle, Wilmington, DE 19804 888-547-4412 Picofdel.org

1632 Rt. 38 E., Lumberton, NJ 08048 609-265-8838; Fsoburlco.org

Information, assistance, seminars & education rights resources.

Camden Co.

23 W. Park Ave., Merchantville, NJ 08109 856-662-2600; Camdenfso.org

Parents Exchange

Cumberland, Gloucester & Salem Cos. 3739 N. Delsea Dr., Vineland, NJ 08360 856-507-9400; Cgsfso.org

Peer support, education and advocacy.

Information, referral & advocacy for parents & caregivers of children with disabilities.

Freedom Valley Disability Center

Public Citizens for Children & Youth

3607 Chapel Rd., Newtown Square, PA 610-353-6640 freedomvalleyenablement.org

1709 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy., Phila. 19103 215-563-5848 Pccy.org

Peer counseling, support & advocacy.

Advocates for children with disabilities, low incomes & other special needs.

Judge David L. Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law

1101 15th St. NW, Washington, DC 20005 202-467-5730; Bazelon.org Technical assistance to legal advocates on disability rights.

Mental Health Association in Delaware

Cap4kids.org/philadelphia

Advocacy resource for children who need social services in the Philadelphia area.

Cherry Hill Township Ombudsman for Disabled Citizens 820 Mercer St., Cherry Hill, NJ 08002 856-488-4279 Cherryhill-nj.com/125/ombudsmanfor-disabled-citizens

Free service helps patients navigate the healthcare system, file appeals.

Vision for Equality

National Association for Education of Young Children

Advocates and helps solve healthcare issues for those with disabilities.

Parent-run assistance network.

1313 L St. NW, Washington DC, 20005 800-424-2460 Naeyc.org

Office of Advocacy, NJ Dept. of Children & Families

affected by autism throughout Delaware

Defv.org

Deldhub.com

Parent Advocacy Coalition for Educational Rights (PACER Center, Inc.)

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· Parent mentoring and support · Recreational and social opportunities

Works to improve services to children and families.

8161 Normandale Blvd.

Bloomington, MN 55437 952-838-9000; Pacer.org

· Adult vocational services · Statewide advocacy

Newark office:

Provides disability awareness puppet program & parent workshops. = Bilingual Service

718 Arch St., Phila. 19106 215-923-3349 Visionforequality.org

Helping People and Families

PO Box 729, Trenton, NJ 08625 877-543-7864 State.nj.us/dcf/about/divisions/oa

Online resources for DE’s 18,000 school-age children with disabilities.

345 Beverly Dr., Collegeville, PA 19426 877-774-6380 Tristateadvocacy.com

1211 Chestnut St., Phila. 19107 800-688-4226 Mhasp.org

Delaware Family Voices

516 W. Loockerman St., Dover, DE 19904 302-739-4553 Deldhub.com

Advocates on behalf of NJ children with needs due to disability, poverty or discrimination.

Mental Health Assoc. of SE PA

Promotes excellence in early childhood education.

Parent-run network providing information and advocacy for families with children with emotional/behavioral/mental health issues.

35 Halsey St., Newark, NJ 07102 973-642-8100 Spanadvocacy.org

Tri-State Advocacy Project

Focuses on mental health, depression, anxiety, education, advocacy and suicide prevention.

Information, referrals & advocacy assistance for the disabled.

222 Philadelphia Pike, Wilmington, DE 19809 877-235-3588

Statewide Parent Advocacy Network, Inc.

100 W. 10th St., Wilmington, DE 19801 302-654-6833 Mhainde.org

See our ad, below right

Cap4Kids

102 E. Mermaid Ln., Phila. 19118 610-962-0337 Pex.tripod.com

302-224-6020

= Evaluations

Lewes office:

302-644-3410

Visit us online!

www.autismdelaware.org = Support

= Vocational Training

In Print or Online?

The best parenting info right at your fingertips!

OUT

2018

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Explore over 750+ resource listings and view detailed information of schools serving children with special needs.

Read articles or search resources on our user-friendly website!

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ALSO: Check out our

Day-by-Day Calendar Best Family Friendly Attractions Guide & Much More!

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Assistive Tech

APP-TI TUDE for Success

Cutting-Edge Technology Helps Students with Learning Differences

By Debra Wallace Danny, a fifth-grader at an elementary school in Huntingdon Valley, PA, splits his day between a neuro-typical class and an autistic support class. Back in 2015, the school gave Danny an iPad Mini with Proloquo2go, a communication application (app), affectionately referred to as “the talker” by his classmates. His mom, Lisa Kogan, is always eager to employ the latest technology to help her son.

Today, there are iPads, laptops, tablets, notebooks, audio books, whiteboards, SMART Boards, websites and a diverse selection of apps, all available to assist those with learning differences. Kogan loves that the iPad Mini is socially accepted and can be personalized. “This has revolutionized the way my son learns and how he can be included in school activities,” she says.

Kogan’s advice to PA parents: “Go to the assistive technology department of your county’s Intermediate Unit (IU) [for] assistance with the language apps. Danny started at age 4 and he grew with the devices and apps. You want your child to be evaluated and get assisted by the IU team before you buy the device and the apps, so it fits the level of the child.”

The ACF iPad Enrichment Program

The iPad Enrichment Program of the Autism Cares Foundation (ACF) in Southampton, PA, helps local parents and their children, teens and adults with autism and other special needs with their diverse communication needs.

Advantages of new technology

Karen Velocci, ACF’s technology director, explains that new technology has become more affordable, accessible and socially acceptable. With the introduction of the iPad in the spring of 2010, “the whole world started turning more toward mobile technology,” she says. “So once a comparable communication system was developed on the iPad, through apps, it

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became everyone’s preferred choice for children with special needs who have communication issues.”

No matter what the unique needs or communication challenges, Velocci says, everyone can benefit from using an iPad. The visual support is easier than working out of a textbook. The new IOS (Apple operating system) has more functionality and provides great adaptive supports for those with a wide variety of issues including vision, hearing and more.

Apps for all ages

Once a child is diagnosed with a speech or communication delay, an iPad is an ideal tool as it offers a variety of apps that can track the child’s grade and ability level.

“They can be customized toward the student’s target goals,” says Velocci, “which is important because every student’s needs or challenges are different.”

There are apps to help older students stay focused and get organized, Velocci adds. “There are apps that can help with visual schedules or calendars, or help with completing a task or project, so that students can work more independently.”

Karen Yosmanovich, the clinical manager at Potential Inc. and Springtime School in Newtown, PA, and executive director of Beautiful Minds of Princeton, NJ, works with students and their parents on individualized programs.

“We used to cut pictures out of catalogues, or have stand-alone speech generating devices. Now we have the iPad, videos and YouTube for a few hundred dollars that provide a similar approach,” says Yosmanovich, a 21-year special educator. “The great benefit is that it allows us to easily add pictures for our younger learners through free or paid apps. It also adds a game element to some of the learning.”

One tool she appreciates is a “Bitsboard,” a $20 app that helps students

create their own board for labeling, spelling and a variety of other subjects. Other apps help instructors with data collection and some provide videos that can help promote student independence.

New apps and technology emerge constantly, so Yosmanovich stays informed via several Facebook groups. One such group, moderated by ABAskills of Red Bank, NJ, shares resources regarding Applied Behavior Analysis. There, she even found a dental hygiene app that helped an adult student quell fears about brushing his teeth.

“We know that our learners do better with the more realistic, hands-on approaches than they do with more abstract lessons,” says Yosmanovich.

Life-changing technology

At the Centreville Layton School in Centreville, DE, every classroom — PreK12 — has a SMART Board, a digital whiteboard that stands in place of a projector, chalkboard and worksheets. Instructor Denise Jarrell says these easy-to-use devices increase student interaction. Most often, activities for younger children are teacher-guided. The older children use iPads and she recommends a “relaxing app” called About Me. Jarrell recalls the cumbersome devices of the past and notes, “Technology has come so far during the past five to 10 years. The new apps are making everything accessible for the special needs child. There is a dyslexia font, and reading and writing apps, that can do voice to text or text to speech.

“Overall, the emerging technology has changed the lives of students,” Jarrell continues. “Every parent should be looking into the various programs to see which ones can work for his or her child.”

Debra Wallace is a freelance writer.

SpecialKids 2018

Wherever you are, local Autism Friendly services and places are only a tap away.

How does an autism family leave their house?

It’s great that we’re all becoming more aware of autism this April, but how does an autism family find a good place to go, be it a restaurant, school, doctor, therapist, or ...?

The most common discussion among autism parents is now embodied in an app that helps us help each other.

By sharing ratings and reviews of places for their level of autism friendliness, the Autism Village app eases the process of selecting places that will be safe, welcoming, and understanding toward people on the autism spectrum.

Like Yelp, but just for autism, Autism Village allows users to contribute their favorite –or not– places and to search by location or category. View ratings and reviews to make educated decisions about where to go that will be most accepting of autism.

Download the app for iPhone or Android today and help one another to make the world a little easier to navigate for everyone with autism!

AUTISM VILLAGE

SpecialKids 2018

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Our patented “Easy Fit” heel system flexes open with ease, allowing you to slip the shoes on in seconds.

Order now and receive $10 OFF! Use promo code SPEKID

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*offer expires December 31, 2017

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MetroKids.com/SpecialKids 9

Camp

HORSERIDING as Therapy The horse’s movements facilitate a variety of therapy goals in hippotherapy, while therapeutic riding is a recreational outlet for people with disabilities.

By Terri Akman Literally meaning “treatment with the help of the horse” from the Greek word “hippos,” hippotherapy is how physical, occupational and speech therapists use the movement of the horse as part of their intervention to help achieve their objectives.

“The horse’s movement has a therapeutic effect on the child because it imparts a precise repetitive pattern of movement that’s very similar to a person’s pelvis during normal walking,” says Lisa Newcomb, executive director of Quest Therapeutic Services in West Chester,

PA. “It helps with balance, strengthening the core, and sensory input.”

The goal is not to learn to ride a horse, but to use the horse’s movement as a tool. Children sit or kneel on the horse in any direction as three adults guide the horse, provide the therapy and make sure the child is safe. While on horseback, children can also participate in other activities like basketball, putting rings on poles, and working puzzles.

“We’re using the horse’s movement as that tool to facilitate the physical, speech and occupational therapy,” says Newcomb.

Quest Therapeutic Services

Therapeutic riding provides recreational experience

Unlike hippotherapy, therapeutic riding focuses on using the movement of the horse to give a recreational experience or to teach riding skills to people with disabilities, says Barbara Wertheimer, executive director of Pegasus Therapeutic Riding Academy in Northeast Philadelphia. Through that process the rider derives physical, psychological, mental and emotional therapeutic benefits.

“Being on the horse gives the rider the feeling of self confidence, independence, and enjoying an activity that they can call their own,” says Wertheimer.

Confidence builder

Quest Therapeutic Services

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That was what happened for Mallory Jaskolka. As a kid, she was very bright, but she had some learning issues that led to emotional anxiety. Her mom, Maggie, knowing that Mallory loved animals, enrolled her in Ashford Farm horseback riding camp in Miquon, PA when she was 7.

“Everything about it just fit her,” says Maggie, from Elkins Park, PA, who

SpecialKids 2018

FIND US

Camp

Lee Mar ONLINE Camp “A Special Camp for Special Kids”

inclusive. insightful. information.

Quest Therapeutic Services

One with the animal

All horseback riding offers riders physical activity while developing balance, coordination as well as mental and emotional benefits. It is a unique sport where you become one with the animal, adds Eleanor Robinson, owner and riding instructor at Pembrook Farm in Woodbury, NJ. “You have to think about what the horse or pony is thinking about, what they are feeling and their needs. It also gives the kids a lot of confidence to work with the animal and love the animal. That connection is immeasurable.”

When looking for a facility that offers horseback riding, a personal visit will allow you and your child to see the facilities and speak with the staff.

“Not all camps are created equal, so parents should really check the camps out,” says Caroline Canavan, owner of Ashford Farm.

• CA

LEE M MP

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• AR

watched her daughter blossom around horses. “Everything you do is part of a team, either you and your horse or you and the partner you’re sharing that horse with. It allows you to feel a sense of success. It’s really empowering.”

Mallory spent the next seven summers at Ashford Farm learning to ride and care for horses. She then advanced to their residential horseback riding camp in Virginia. Now 24, Mallory is pursuing equine-facilitated therapy as a career.

In 2017 Camp Lee Mar celebrated its 65th season – a real milestone!

Camp Lee Mar actually celebrated a number of milestones in 2017.

Ari Segal, the camp’s owner/director, celebrated his 25th season.

Academic coordinator Laura Leibowitz celebrated her 35th and assistant director Lynsey Trohoske celebrated her 20th. Wow! Camp Lee Mar’s unique program combines all the fun traditional camp activities – basketball, kickball, boating & fishing, soccer, arts & crafts – with academics, speech & daily living skills. Camp Lee Mar also has a therapeutic horseback riding program, a Zip Line and overnight trips. The facilities are exceptional, highlighted by the super-popular Junior Olympic heated pool and air-conditioned buildings (including cabins).

Camp Lee Mar holds many special events each summer: the 4th of July celebration, Western Night, Hawaiian Night, Carnival Day and Olympics, to name just a few.

The senior division campers talk all year about Social Dance, which we have every weekend, followed by the Senior Fling (Prom), which takes place in early August.

3 years ago, we launched the Lee Mar L.I.F.E. Program (Living Independently Functional Education). It was a huge success and we again expect a waiting list in 2018.

The hallmark of Lee Mar’s program is an incredible, nurturing staff, all dedicated to working with children with special needs. Camp Lee Mar is truly “A special camp for special kids.”

Camp Lee Mar 215-658-1708; Like us on facebook

www.leemar.com

Camp Lee Mar

2018 Dates: June 23-August 10

Terri Akman is a contributing writer to MetroKids.

SpecialKids 2018

MetroKids.com/SpecialKids 11

CAMPS Day and overnight camps for special needs.

Section sponsored by:

Camp Lee Mar

450 Rte. 590, Lackawaxen, PA 18435 570-685-7188 Leemar.com

Aaron’s Acres

Camp Firefly

Day camp for children with special needs & their families.

Free camp for grieving children from Burlington, Camden and Gloucester counties.

1861 Charter Ln., Lancaster, PA 17601 717-917-6101 Aaronsacres.org

Adath Jeshurun Preschool, Kindergarten & Infant Center

7763 Old York Rd., Elkins Park, PA 19027 215-635-3490 Adathjeshurun.info Camp for ages 3-5 with mild to moderate language, attention & motor skills delays.

American Lung Association in DE, Asthma Camp

630 Churchmans Rd., Newark, DE 19702 302-737-6414 Asthmacamps.org

For DE children with moderate to severe asthma ages 7-11.

Amica Camp

1272 Knox Dr., Yardley, PA 19067 267-258-3974 Amica4autism.com

Camp for children & teens with autism spectrum disorders.

BlindSight Delaware

2915 Newport Gap Pk., Wilmington, DE 19808 888-777-6925 Blindsightdelaware.org Free 6-week day camp for visually impaired children ages 5-16.

Bournelyf Special Camp

1066 S. New St., West Chester, PA 19382 610-692-9027 Campbournelyf.org Educational day camp & life skills for ages 1825 with intellectual disabilities.

Camp Achieve

919 Walnut St., Phila. 19107 215-629-5003 Campachieve.org

Week-long camp for kids with epilepsy/seizure disorder.

Camp Connection

11 Grand Central Pkwy., Floral Park, NY 11005 800-834-2267; Thecampconnection.com Camp consultant finds summer programs for children.

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1303 Stokes Rd, Medford, NJ 08055 856-552-1300 Moorestownvna.org

Camp for kids & teens with mild to moderate developmental challenges offers traditional camp activities plus academics, speech, language, music & art therapy, and daily living skills in a structured enviroment with individual attention & guidance. Therapeutic horseback riding & overnight trips, heated pool, modern facilities & air-conditioned buildings & bunks also available. ACA-accredited.

See our ad, p. 11

Camp Fisher

1680 W. Sherman Ave., Vineland, NJ 08360 856-691-9138 arccumberland.org/support/camp_fisher.php NJ Division of Developmental Disabilities free 3-week day camp in August.

Camp Freedom Diabetes Camp for Kids 157 Game Farm Rd. Schwenksville, PA 19473 610-828-5003 Diabetes.org/in-my-community/ diabetes-camp/camps/freedom.html

United Cerebral Palsy of DE camps; ages 3-21 & orthopedic disabilities.

21 O’Brien Rd., Hackettstown, NJ 07840 908-852-3896; Eastersealsnj.org

Camp Good Days & Special Times, Inc. 1332 Pittsford-Mendon Rd., Mendon, NY14506; 800-785-2135 Campgooddays.org

Easter Seals day & overnight camp for all levels of abilities.

Camp Moore

For kids who have cancer, sickle cell anemia, or have lost a parent or sibling with cancer.

Camp Greentop

1111 E. Cold Spring Ln., Baltimore, MD 21239 410-323-0500, ext. 366 Leagueforpeople.org Traditional sleep-away summer camp for youth & adults with disabilities.

Camp Huntington

56 Bruceville Rd.,High Falls, NY 12440 855-707-2267 Camphuntington.com

P.O. Box 1596, Woodbridge, NJ 07095 732-326-1300 Njelks.org

NJ State Elks camp for kids with special needs; campers must be sponsored by their local Elks Lodge.

Camp Nejeda

910 Saddleback Rd., Stillwater, NJ 07860 973-383-2611; Campnejeda.org Residential camp for children ages 7-16 with Type 1 diabetes.

Camp Nova

Camp Huntington offers therapeutic recreation summer programs for individuals with developmental disabilities. We provide a safe and fun environment for our campers and work on skill acquisition and goal achievement that will increase independence upon returning to their community. Uniquely designed programs center on three specific goals; participation, recreation and independence. Trained staff introduce new skills and activities in a precise and consistent manner.

See our ad, p. 13

Camp JRA

Sussex and Monmouth counties, NJ 800-336-5843; Efnj.com

Week-long overnight camp for kids with epilepsy & developmental disabilities.

Camp Oasis

Camp Nock-a-Mixon, 249 Traugers Crossing Rd. Kintnersville, PA 18930 800-932-2423 Ccfa.org/get-involved/camp-oasis

For ages 8-16 with Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, other inflammatory bowel diseases.

Camp Oakhurst

111 Monmouth Rd., Oakhurst, NJ 07755 732-531-0215; Campoakhurst.com

Residential camp for ages 8-18 with arthritis or rheumatic diseases.

= Bilingual Service

3249 Midstate Rd., Felton, DE 19943 302-335-5626 700A River Rd., Wilmington, DE 19809 302-764-2400 Ucpde.org

Camp Merry Heart

Overnight camp for ages 7-16 with diabetes.

58 Camp Victory Rd., Millville, PA 17846 267-238-9724 Campvictory.org

Camp Lenape / Camp Manito

Camp & year-round respite program for physically challenged children & adults.

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CAMPS Day and overnight camps for special needs.

Camp Pegasus

Camp Sun ‘N Fun

1555 Gateway Blvd., W. Deptford, NJ 08096 856-848-8648; Thearcgloucester.org

600 Haverford Rd., Haverford, PA 19041 610-649-1080, ext. 3 Camppegasus.com

Camp Pegasus is a therapeutic day camp for children 6-19 with social skills challenges (Asperger’s, PDD, ADHD and learning differences). Campers improve social competence and confidence through social-thinking lessons, coaching and rewards in sports, art, music, improv-comedy, computers and play.

See our ad, p. 55

Overnight camp for kids with developmental disabilities. Adapted typical camp activities.

1200 S. Broad St., Phila. 19146 215-952-4260; Pepservices.org

Day camp for children & adults with disabilities.

Camp Sunny Side

1301 Park Blvd., Cherry Hill, NJ 08002 856-216-212; Camdencounty.com

Carousel Farm Educational Center

1240 Grenoble Rd., Ivyland, PA 18974 215-355-6498; Carouselfarmcenter.com

5-week special needs summer program for ages 13-adult.

Teens participate in social, recreational and educational (vocational skills) activities.

PO Box 266, Rhinebeck, NY 12572 845-876-8403; Ramapoforchildren.org

Carousel House

Camp Victory

Children’s Beach House

Site for 20+ overnight camps for kids with chronic illness, physical & mental challenges.

Summer residential & day camps for children with special needs ages 7-15.

58 Camp Victory Rd, Millville, PA 17846 570-458-6530; Campvictory.org

Residential summer camp serves children ages 6-16 who are affected by ASDs and other social, emotional or learning challenges.

Camp Speers-Eljabar YMCA

143 Nichecronk Rd., Dingmans Ferry, PA 18328 570-828-2329; Campspeersymca.org

PO Box 349, Warwick, NY 10990 845-986-1164 Campwarwick.org/camp-sunrise

5-day, 5-night Christian camp for campers age 8-adult with special needs.

Camp Ramapo

Camp Wesley Woods

Mainstreaming program for campers with mild to moderate developmental disabilities.

301 Camp Meeting Rd., Sewickley, PA 15143 412-741-1800; Thewatsoninstitute.org Inclusive therapeutic summer programs for children with autism & related disorders.

Camp Sunrise

Camp PEP

Camp WISP (Watson Institute Summer Program)

1001 Fiddlersgreen Rd. Grand Valley, PA 16420 814-436-7802; Wesleywoods.com

4300 Ave. of the Republic, Phila. 19131 215-685-0160; Carouselhousepa.com

Dept. of Recreation’s year-round special needs programs & summer day camp.

1800 Bay Ave., Lewes, DE 19958 302-645-9184; Cbhinc.org

Comfort Zone Camp

Christian camp that serves youth ages 4-17 and adults with intellectual disabilities.

6606 W. Broad St., Richmond VA 23230 866-488-5679 Comfortzonecamp.org Playful & athletic diversions & a safe atmosphere for grieving children ages 7-17.

Est.

1961

Limited spots

available for Summer 2018

Sleepaway! Developmental, Intellectual & Learning Disabilities

Social & Life Skills Program • 1-week Sessions • Ages 6+ 90 Minutes

855-707-2267

North of NYC

CampHuntington.com = Bilingual Service

= Evaluations

= Support

= Vocational Training

MetroKids.com/SpecialKids 13

CAMPS Day and overnight camps for special needs.

Deaf Apostolate, Archdiocese of Philadelphia, Camp Overbrook: In Sign St. Joseph’s University, Maguire Campus, 5600 City Ave., Phila. 19131 215-587-3913 Deafcatholicphilly.org/summer-camp/

Two-week summer day camp for deaf & hard of hearing. Uses ASL.

Dragonfly Forest

143 Nichecronk Rd. Dingmans Ferry, PA 18328 610-298-1820 Dragonflyforest.org

Camp for kids with autism, sickle-cell, hematology, asthma & chromosome deletion. Tiered pricing.

Easter Seals Camp Fairlee 22242 Bay Shore Rd. Chestertown, MD 21620 410-778-0566 De.easterseals.com/fairlee

Week-long residential summer camps for children with autism.

Gallaudet Univ.

Young Scholars Program 800 Florida Ave. NE Washington, DC 20002 202-651-5000 Gallaudet.edu

For deaf, hard of hearing students up to age 19.

Handi*Camp

PO Box 122, Akron, PA 17501 717-859-4777 Hvmi.org/handi-camp

A Christian overnight camp for people of all ages with special needs.

Heaven’s Gate Farm

5590 Bradshaw Rd., Pipersville, PA 18947 215-709-0234 Heavensgatefarmpa.com/summercamp Therapeutic riding camp for individuals with autism, Asperger syndrome & ADHD.

Hope Springs Equestrian Therapy, Inc. 1800 Art School Rd., Chester Springs, PA 19425 610-827-0931 Hope-springs.org/camps

Week-long (summer) and single-day (Saturday and holiday) horse camps offer school-age children with disabilities an extended chance to connect with a very special therapeutic partner: their horse. In addition to therapeutic riding, campers get a chance to bond with each other while learning more about horses and enhancing their life skills by participating in our special education curriculum, “Strides to Success.” At camp, students learn how to ride and care for their horses and participate in many fun equine-related activities.

See our ad, p. 61

14 MetroKids.com/SpecialKids

Interactive Kids Summer Camp

Special Equestrians

101 E. Gate Dr., Cherry Hill, NJ 08034 856-810-7599 Interactivekids.net

2800 Street Rd., PO Box 1001, Warrington, PA 215-918-1001 Specialequestrians.org

Preschool play groups. Social skills programs.

Behavior & education consultation services.

Therapeutic riding camp for kids ages 5-16 with physical, cognitive & emotional disabilities.

Lions Camp Kirby for the Deaf & Hard of Hearing

Special Olympics New Jersey Camp Shriver

1735 Narrows Hill Rd. Upper Black Eddy, PA 18972 610-982-5731 Lionscampkirby.org

1 Eunice Kennedy Shriver Way, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648 609-896-8000 Sonj.org

Overnight camp for deaf kids & their siblings.

Free weekly sports camp for Special Olympics New Jersey athletes.

Main Line Art Center

Haverford CREC, 9000 Parkview Dr., Haverford, PA 19041 610-525-0272, ext. 123 Mainlineart.org

Summer Matters

Inclusive summer art camps for children ages 4-13.

Pennsylvania Lions Beacon Lodge Camp

114 State Rte. 103 S., Mt. Union, PA 17066 814-542-2511 Beaconlodge.com

All ages & abilities.

1777 N. Valley Rd., Malvern, PA 19355 610-296-6725, ext. 115 Summermatters.org

Summer learning and recreational programing for youth with special needs, ages 5-21.

Summit Camp and Travel

168 Duck Harbor Rd., Honesdale, PA 18431; 973-732-3230 Summitcamp.com

Rainbow Ridge Farm

Residential camp and teen travel program with ADD, LDs, Asperger syndrome & ASDs.

Therapeutic riding camps available.

PO Box 374, Red Hill, PA 18076 215-680-2351 Teamworkwins.org

4841 Applebutter Rd. Pipersville, PA 18947 215-766-9357 Rainbowridgefarmequestriancenter.com

Ronald McDonald Camp

3925 Chestnut St., Phila. 19104 215-387-8406, ext. 486 Philarmh.org/camp

Poconos junior & teen camps for ages 7-17 who have or had cancer; siblings welcome.

Round Lake Camp

570 Sawkill Rd., Milford, PA 18337 570-296-8596, ext. 145 Roundlakecamp.org

Residential sessions for children with learning differences & social issues.

Sebastian Riding Associates 3589 Water Street Rd. Collegeville, PA 19426 610-489-3741 Sebastianriding.org

Three camp sessions of therapeutic riding.

Sensational Kids

544 Lippincott Dr., Marlton, NJ 08053 856-589-4224 Iamasensationalkid.com

Teamwork Wins, Ltd.

Girls basketball camp and 2-week coed teen life-skills programs for kids with invisible challenges.

TechGirlz

Rochester Institute of Technology, 52 Lomb Memorial Dr., Rochester, NY 14623 585-475-7695 Rit.edu/ntid/techgirlz6

Week-long STEM session for girls with hearing loss.

Valley Day Camp / DRI

8 Polly Drummond Hill Rd. Newark, DE 19711 302-489-9616 D-r-i.org/valleydaycamp.php

Traditional activities for ages 6-12 with emotional, behavioral or social challenges.

Variety Club Camp & Developmental Ctr

2950 Potshop Rd., Worcester, PA 19490 610-584-4366 Varietyphila.org

Therapy, social skills & camp for children with sensory & motor development disabilities.

= Bilingual Service

SpecialKidsMagazine = Evaluations

= Support

= Vocational Training

CARE CAMP Respite, foster and professional care, in-home or out.

Access Services’ Children’s Crisis Support Program

Firely Pediatric Services

500 Office Ctr. Dr., Ft. Washington, PA 19034 800-793-2150 Accessservices.org Provides community-based specialized services & respite.

Archway Programs

Home, medical & residential home care for medically fragile children.

Friends Assoc. for the Care & Protection of Children

113 W. Chestnut St., West Chester, PA 19380 610-431-3598 Friendsassoc.org

280 Jackson Rd., Atco, NJ 08004 856-767-5757 Archwayprograms.org

Supports for people with developmental disabilities & respite for their families.

Provides emergency family shelter.

Githens Center, Burlington Co. Cerebral Palsy Assoc.

Baring House Crisis Nursery, Youth Service, Inc.

40 Cedar St., Mt. Holly, NJ 08060 609-261-1667 Githenscenter.org

3401 Baring St., Phila. 19104 215-386-0251 Ysiphila.org

24-hour emergency care for kids birth to age 5 at risk for abuse or neglect.

BAYADA Pediatrics

Day programs for individuals with cerebral palsy and other disabilities.

Home Health Specialists

349 W. State St., Media, PA 19063 888-566-1406 Hhsrn.com

521 Fellowship Road Mount Laurel, NJ 08054 856-722-9900 Bayada.com

24/7 home care by RNs, LPNs, or home health aides.

Experienced pediatric nurses and home health aides available 24/7.

Horsham Clinic

Capitol County Children’s Collaborative

3535 Quakerbridge Rd., Hamilton NJ 08619 609-584-0888 Capitolkids.org Care coordination for education, evaluation, services & support.

722 E. Butler Pike, Ambler, PA 19002 215-643-7800 Horshamclinic.com

920 Madison Ave., Audubon, PA 19403 610-650-7761 Childandfamilyfocus.org

One Belmont Ave., Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004 215-884-3737 Epichealthservices.com/location/ bala-cynwyd-branch 303 Fellowship Rd., Mt. Laurel, NJ 08054 856-780-1090 Epichealthservices.com/location/ mount-laurel

Custom home healthcare services.

Episcopal Community Services

Pediatric Health Choice at The Children’s Secret Garden

717 Hatchery Rd., Dover, DE 19901 302-730-1717 Pediatrichc.com/childrens-secret-garden Inclusive child care center offers prescribed pediatric extended care.

Pennsylvania Mentor

450 Parkway Dr., Broomall, PA 19008 610-353-5332 10601 Decatur Rd., Phila. 19154 215-612-8200 Thementornetwork.com Home services for kids with developmental disabilities.

Ronald McDonald House Delaware

901 Rockland Rd., Wilmington, DE 19803 302-656-4847; Rmhde.org

Southern New Jersey

2 Life Mark Dr., Sellersville, PA 18960 215-257-0471 401 Pilgrim Ln., Drexel Hill, PA 19026 610-566-5029 Lifepath.org 24-hour nursing care for medically fragile children.

Newborn Nurses

2 Pin Oaks Rd., Cherry Hill, NJ 08003 856-669-0211 Newbornnurses.com Highly skilled, 24-hr home nursing care.

Pediatria Healthcare for Kids

Safe homes for kids with special needs through foster & kinship care programs.

Nursing care for medically dependent children.

Kennedy Home Health Care

Life Path/Ridge Crest

Epic Health Services

17 Creek Pkwy., Boothwyn, PA 19061 888-340-9420 795 Fox Chase Rd., Coatesville, PA 19320 877-589-0854 1318 W. Clearfield St., Phila. 19132 888-340-9430 Laurenshouse.com

Philadelphia

State-approved home care.

Respite provider for families in Bucks, Chester, Delaware & Montgomery Cos.

Pediatric Health Choice at Lauren’s House

Treats severe emotional or behavioral problems, ages 4-18.

1099 White Horse Rd., Voorhees, NJ 08043 856-809-4300 Kennedyhealth.org

Child & Family Focus, Inc.

225 S. 3rd St., Phila. 19106 215-351-1400 Ecsphilly.org

364 Maple Ave., Harleysville, PA 19438 215-513-7455 Firelypediatric.org

8101 Washington Ln., Wyncote, PA 19095 215-376-6801 Pediatriakids.com

Center-based day health services & home nursing for medically complex & fragile kids.

3925 Chestnut St., Phila. 19104 215-387-8406; Philarmh.org 550 Mickle Blvd., Camden, NJ 08103 856-966-4663; Ronaldhouse-snj.org

Home away from home for families of children being treated for illness & injuries.

Sally Watson Center — Youth Service, Inc.

5128 Wayne Ave., Phila. 19144 215-844-6931 Ysiphila.org

Free crisis respite care for children with moderate disabilities.

State of NJ Dept. of Human Services /Division of Medical Assistance and Health Services PO Box 712, Trenton, NJ 08625 800-356-1561 Nj.gov/humanservices/dmahs/home

Private duty nursing for children up to age 21 provided by Medicaid.

Supportive Concepts for Families, Inc. 200 Penn St., Reading, PA 19602 888-686-7233 Supportiveconcepts.org

Support for individuals with disabilities.

= Bilingual Service

= Evaluations

= Support

= Vocational Training

MetroKids.com/SpecialKids 15

Care

Grandparents Can Be a Big Help In Families with Special Needs

By Will Bacha Grandparents can provide helpful ongoing support to grandchildren with special needs and their parents. Follow these tips for parents and grandparents of children with special needs to help establish meaningful connections and strong relationships.

For parents

The days immediately after your child receives a special needs diagnosis can be difficult, but remember you are not alone; your extended family already comprises a great support group.

Special needs diagnoses, therapies and educational approaches have changed dramatically in recent decades. Grandparents might not be familiar with these developments, so parents often need to take steps to inform them adequately.

Lisa Lightner, a Pennsylvania blogger and mother whose child has special needs, says that honesty and frankness are crucial to help grandparents understand how they can help most.

Events such as large family gatherings pose specific challenges for some special needs children, says Lightner. “When it

16 MetroKids.com/SpecialKids

comes to family gatherings, be honest and plan ahead. Take two cars and special food if necessary and ask your hosts about expectations you are unclear about.”

Establishing routines or rituals such as a weekly lunch or story time can foster a good grandparent-grandchild relationship and mesh with the parents’ routine.

For grandparents

A few easy steps can help grandparents become a positive force in the lives of their grandchildren with special needs.

Lightner suggests that parents help grandparents research and understand the child’s condition. This knowledge can help determine good ways to participate supportively. She notes that every disability is different and requires a different approach.

Sheila Evans is a Delaware grandmother of a 4-year-old on the autism spectrum.

She emphasizes the need to treat a grandchild with special needs as a child first and foremost, not a “special needs child.”

“I don’t see him as a special needs child, nor do I treat him as one,” she says of her grandson. “I treat him the same way I treat his siblings, with no special privileges.” She advises other grandparents to “stay positive, support your grandchildren as much as you can, always tell them how unique they are, and that they have much to offer their family and the world.”

Remember that you’re not just a grandparent, you’re a parent too, suggests Colleeen Brosnan, writing in the magazine Parenting Special Needs. Your child is undoubtedly under strain coping with the demands of special needs parenting.

By filling your role as your child’s parent,

“Stay positive, support your grandchildren as much as you can, always tell them how unique they are, and that they have much to offer their family and the world.” your love and support can go a long way toward helping their whole family.

Grandparents frequently make monetary gifts or contributions to their grandchild’s savings, but this can unintentionally cause problems for Medicare and Supplemental Security Income eligibility. Frederick P. Neimann, a New Jersey special needs attorney, says that “a grandchild’s future is made more secure by making modest monetary gifts directly to the parents, and any larger ones to a grandchild’s singular Special Needs Trust (SNT).”

Grandparents can play a useful role to support their child’s family with special needs. But it can take education, planning and good communication to maximize their contributions.

Will Bacha is a recent MetroKids intern and graduate of Temple University.

SpecialKids 2018

CARE Respite, foster and professional care, in-home or out.

Temple University, Family Friends

FIND US

1301 Cecil B. Moore Ave., Phila. 19122 215-204-3199 Education.temple.edu/igc/programs/ family-friends

ONLINE

In-home companionship & respite provided by adult volunteers age 50+.

Introducing

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Providing the highest quality 452 S.interventions Roberts Rd., Rosemont, PA 19010 for inclusive.

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Easily build a custom chair to fit today and grow tomorrow.

Visitingnursegroup.com

Home care services for medically complex 888.AUTISM.0 children.

www.potentialinc.org

PRO

MetroKids.com/ SpecialKids

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including after-school care.

DAYCARE facilities providing child care, 888.AUTISM.0 www.potentialinc.org

4nannies.com, Inc.

Montgomery Early Learning Centers

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888.744.9914 4nannies.com

201 Sabine Ave., Narberth, PA 19072 610-617-4550 Melc.org

Snc.or I T li

Matching services for families & nannies.

Caring Center, The

3101 Spring Garden St., Phila. 19104 215-386-8245 Thecaringcenter.org

Provides high-quality early care & education services.

UentiaPediatric Medical Daycare A .

Providence 8 p41o1t Commerce Ln., West Berlin, NJ 08091

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Early learning center for ages 6 wks.- K, after-school program to age 8.

Frankie’s World

1011 Poplar St., Phila. 19123 215-763-0151 Frankiesworlddaycare.com

Daycare center for children ages birth to 12 years who need skilled nursing care.

KenCrest Development Centers 250 N. Bethlehem Pike, Ambler, PA 19002 215-646-1166 KencrestChildcare.org

Classroom & therapeutic support.

= Bilingual Service

= Evaluations

856-322-8296 Providencepediatric.com

For children with special medical needs 0-5.

SPIN Inc. – Children’s Services

Northeast 10521 Drummond Rd., Phila 19154 Parkwood 12670 Dunks Ferry Rd., Phila. 19154 Frankford 1616 Orthodox St., Phila., 19124 844-SPIN-CAN Spininc.org

Early intervention for kids from birth to Kindergarten, child care from age 1-school age, PreK Counts, PHLpreK and Head Start for preschoolers.

See our ad, p. 18

= Support

= Vocational Training

Voorhees Pediatric Medical Day Care

1304 Laurel Oak Rd., Voorhees, NJ 08043 888-873-5437 Forkidcare.com

For kids birth-age 5 who are medically fragile & require skilled nursing care.

Weisman Children’s Medical Day Care Centers Multiple locations 877-543-8774 Weismanchildrens.com

Weisman Children’s is a community-based pediatric specialty organization consisting of an acute rehabilitation hospital, outpatient rehabilitation centers and medical day care centers; focused solely on the needs of infants, children, teens and young adults in South Jersey and the Greater Philadelphia area. Our medical day care centers in Vineland, Pennsauken, and Voorhees, provide nursing care to medicallyfragile patients under the age of six.

See our ad, p. 45

SpecialKidsMagazine MetroKids.com/SpecialKids 17

EARLY INTERVENTION & PRESCHOOL Programs providing services for children 0-3 and preschool services for children ages 3-5

Archway Programs: Step By Step

212 Jackson Rd., Atco, NJ 08004 856-767-4180; Archwayprograms.org Evaluations & program for birth-3 years.

The Bancroft School Early Education Program 201 Kings Highway South Cherry Hill, NJ 08034 800-774-5516; Bancroftneurohealth.org

Center for Autism

CONNECT Helpline 800-692-7288 Dhs.pa.gov

3905 Ford Rd., Phila. 19131 215-878-3400 Thecenterforautism.org

Treatment & evaluation center offers PreK, therapy & social programs.

Cherrywood Academy & Private Preschool / Country Acres Private Preschool

Bancroft is one of the largest providers in the region for supports and education for those with Autism, intellectual and developmental disabilities. The Bancroft School’s Early Education Program, located in Cherry Hill, NJ, provides preschool and elementary children ages 3-9 the foundation for success. Expert staff employ highly effective instructional strategies, rooted in Applied Behavior Analysis as well as other behavioral supports to create personal instruction plans for each student with unique goals and benchmarks to measure progress. As important, we focus on the socialization and recreation opportunities for each child to grow and experience joy in friendship and family.

8 Cherrywood Dr., Clementon, NJ 08021 856-566-1004 1880 Glassboro Rd., Williamstown, NJ 08094 856-881-0400 Partnersinlearningnj.org

BARC

EI system entry point for Phila. children under 3 yrs. with developmental delays or disabilities.

See our ad, p. 71

4950 York Rd., Holicong, PA 18928 215-794-0800; Barcprograms.org

Therapies & support for infants-age 5.

Inclusive preschools offer home/school ABA services; integrated speech & occupational therapy.

ChildLink: Public Health Management Corp.

1500 Market St., Phila. 19102 215-985-2500 Phmc.org/site/programs/services-tospecial-populations/children-with-specialneeds#cl_phl

Children’s Developmental Program

Nationwide EI referral helpline.

Consortium, The

3751 Island Ave., Phila. 19153-3237 215-596-8100; Consortium-inc.org Specialized instruction & therapeutic intervention for children up to age 18.

Delaware Division of Public Health, Child Development Watch

18 N. Walnut St., Milford, DE 19963 800-752-9393 Dhss.delaware.gov/dhss/dph/chs/ chscdw.html

Delaware EI program for children with disabilities or delays from birth-age 3.

Division of Developmental Disabilities Services, Delaware Dept. of Health and Social Services

1056 S. Governor’s Ave., Dover, DE 19904 302-744-9600 Dhss.delaware.gov/ddds/

Point of entry for EI & social services for DE children with developmental disabilities. Provides referrals to appropriate state agencies.

Barclay Early Childhood Center

995 Doylestown Pike, Quakertown, PA 18951 215-536-7800; Cdpchildren.org

Early Autism Project

Extended care & therapy for children ages 6 wks.-5 yrs.

1001 West 9th Ave., King of Prussia, PA 19406 610-831-1865 Ed-Alt.com

Cherry Hill School District preschool for ages 3-5 of all abilities.

Clarke Schools for Hearing and Speech

Early Intervention Office, Children’s Outreach Services Program

1220 Winston Way, Cherry Hill, NJ 08034 856-429-7283 Barclay.chclc.org

Bright Horizons /Temple Beth Hillel Beth-El

1001 Remington Rd., Wynnewood, PA 19096 610-649-2277; Tbhbe.org Social language class for children ages 3-5 with developmental delays in speech, language, motor skills & attention. Meets Mon-Fri, 9am-12noon. Music, movements, Shabbat & holiday events.

See our ad, p. 21

Bush Early Education Center

2523 Berwyn Rd., Wilmington, DE 19810 302-479-2600 Brandywineschools.org/Page/1428

455 S. Roberts Rd., Bryn Mawr, PA 19010 625 Wister St., Phila. 19144 610-525-9600 Clarkeschools.org Therapy, EI, preschool, cochlear implants and mainstream services for children who are deaf and hard of hearing.

Comprehensive Autism Center at Delaware Valley Children’s Center

2288 Second St. Pike, Newtown, PA 18940 215-598-0223, ext. 0 pmhccares.org Autism evaluation, treatment and therapy for ages 1-18.

Preschool for ages 3-4 with special needs.

4700 Wissahickon Ave., Ste. 126, Phila. 19144 215-508-3300 Rhd.org

Services for infants & toddlers with lags in physical, cognitive & speech development.

Early Intervention System 888-653-4463 Nj.gov/health/fhs/eis

Implements NJ services for birth-age 3 with developmental delays or disabilities.

Easterseals Disability Services

233 Wacker Dr., Chicago, IL 60606 800-221-6827; Easterseals.com

Delaware & Maryland’s Eastern Shore Children’s Therapy Svcs.

61 Corporate Circle, New Castle, DE 19720 302-324-4444; De.easter-seals.org

Autism Center for Excellence

New Jersey

25 Kennedy Blvd., East Brunswick, NJ 08816 732-257-6662; nj.easterseals.com

Southeastern PA

.com Service = Evaluations = Support 18= Bilingual MetroKids.com/SpecialKids

Bucks Co. Division 2901 Edgely Rd., Levittown, PA 19057

= Vocational Training = Transportation = Bilingual Service = Evaluations

MetroKids.com/SpecialKids 1 = Support = Vocational Training

EARLY INTERVENTION & PRESCHOOL Programs providing services for children 0-3 and preschool services for children ages 3-5

215-945-7200 Early Intervention Center 3905 Ford Rd., Phila. 19131 215-879-5010 Delaware Co. Division 468 N. Middletown Rd., Media, PA 19063 610-565-2353 Joseph X. Yaffe Center 3975 Conshohocken Ave., Phila. 19131 215-879-1000 Montgomery Co. Division, Tucker & Perry Gresh Center 1161 Forty Foot Rd., Kulpsville, PA 19443 215-368-7000 Sepa.easterseals.com Provides services and support for people with special needs.

Eden Autism Services

2 Merwick Rd., Princeton, NJ 08540 609-987-0099; Edenautism.org

Education and Behavior Consulting — EdBeCo, Inc.

325 Sentry Pkwy., Blue Bell, PA 19422 267-465-7515; Edbeco.com Intervention for kids with developmental & behavioral challenges.

Elwyn

111 Elwyn Rd., Media, PA 19063 610-891-2000; Elwyn.org

Home-based EI services for infants & toddlers plus preschool & child care.

See our ad, p. 21

Elwyn SEEDS (Special Education for Early Developmental Success) 4040 Market St., Phila. 19104 215-222-8054 Chester/Upland: 610-872-4590 Elwyn.org

Provides special education services for eligible preschool-age children living in Phila. & Chester/ Upland area under a contract with OCDEL.

See our ad, p. 21

Family Friends of Bucks County

705 N. Shady Retreat Rd., Doylestown, PA 18901 215-348-2940; Bucksiu.org/page/1221 Matches volunteers (50+) with school-age children who have special needs.

Head Start

1250 Maryland Ave. SW, Washington, DC 20024 866-763-6481 Acf.hhs.gov/programs/ohs

National Head Start Assoc.

1651 Prince St., Alexandria, VA 22314 866-677-8724; Acf.hhs.gov/ohs

Delaware

New Directions Early Head Start == Bilingual Service Bilingual Service

University of Delaware, 321 S. College Ave. Newark, DE 19716; 302-831-0584 Ndehs.udel.edu/home

New Jersey

Burlington County 795 Woodlane Rd., 3rd Fl., Mt. Holly, NJ 08060 609-261-2323; Bccap.org/head_start.cfm Camden CDI 500 Pine St., Camden, NJ 08103 856-964-2100 Central South Head Start Administration 110 Cohansey St., Bridgeton NJ 08302 856-453-0803 Gatewaycap.org/?divisionID=14602& departmentID=15189

Pennsylvania

APM Head Start 415 Market St., Harrisburg, PA 17101 717-526-4646; Paheadstart.org Chester Co. Head Start 351 Kersey St., Coatesville, PA 19320 610-383-6800; Cciu.org Delaware County Head Start 200 Yale Ave., Morton, PA 19078 610-938-9000; Dciu.org Learning Tree/Presbytery of Phila.

Head Start 842 S. 57th St., Phila., PA 19143 215-748-2422 Norris Square Community Alliance, Children Center 2011 N. Mascher St., Phila. 19122 215-634-2251; Nscaonline.org/?page_id=308 Pennsylvania Head Start Assoc.

415 Market St., Harrisburg, PA 17101 717-526-4646; Paheadstart.org School District of Phila. Pre-K Head Start 440 N. Broad St., Phila. 19130 215-400-4270; Philasd.org/earlychildhood Educational, health, social & other services for enrolled children & families.

HollyDELL

610 Hollydell Dr., Hurffville, NJ 08080 856-582-5151; Hollydell.org

For more than 65 years, HollyDELL has served students and adults with physical and medical challenges associated with multiple disabilities.

A collaborative team approach ensures treatment of the whole child as the student strives for levels of independence, all within a safe and nurturing environment. We focus on our students’ abilities through a wide array of individualized services including speech/language/feeding therapy, augmentative communication, physical therapy, sensory integration, mobility training, aquatic therapy, occupational therapy, pottery and music instruction, swimming, vocational training, community-based instruction, behavioral intervention, specialized nursing services and an extended school year program.

See our ads, pp. 2,29

= Evaluations TrainingTraining = Transportation = Evaluations = Support = Support= Vocational = Vocational

Intermediate Units Berks County Intermediate Unit #14

1111 Commons Blvd., Reading, PA 19605 610-987-2248; Berksiu.org

Bucks County Intermediate Unit #22 705 N. Shady Retreat Rd., Doylestown, PA 18901 215-348-2940; Bucksiu.org

Carbon Lehigh Intermediate Unit #21 4210 Independence Dr. Schnecksville, PA 18078 610-769-4111; Cliu.org

Chester County Intermediate Unit #24 455 Boot Rd., Downingtown, PA 19335 484-237-5000; Cciu.org

See our ad, p. 33 Colonial Intermediate Unit #20 6 Danforth Dr., Easton, PA 18045 610-252-5550; Ciu20.org

Delaware County Intermediate Unit #25 200 Yale Ave., Morton, PA 19078 610-938-9000; Dciu.org

Lancaster-Lebanon Intermediate Unit #13 1020 New Holland Ave. Lancaster, PA 17601 717-606-1600; Iu13.org

Montgomery County Intermediate Unit #23

2 W. Lafayette St., Norristown, PA 19401 610-755-9400; Mciu.org

PA Association of Intermediate Units 55 Miller St., Enola, PA 17025 717-732-8464; Paiu.org

Phila. School District, Office of Special Education Services, Intermediate Unit #26 440 N. Broad St., Phila. 19130 215-400-4170 Philasd.org/specializedservices

Formulates and manages education plans for PA children with special needs, ages 3-5.

Services vary but can include evaluations, instruction, OT, PT & ST.

Intellectual disAbility Services 701 Market St., Phila, PA 19106 215-685-5400 Dbhids.org

FREE EI program for families of infants and toddlers.

Let’s Play / Temple Beth Hillel-Beth El

1001 Remington Rd., Wynnewood, PA 19096 610-649-2277 Tbhbe.org

Let’s Play is a comprehensive three-afternoon social skills class designed for children ages 3-5 with functional language. The M/W/F program meets from 12noon-3pm. The program features taking turns & sharing, play dates, conversations, expressing feelings & using appropriate manners.

See our ad, p. 21

MetroKids.com/SpecialKids19 2 MetroKids.com/SpecialKids

EARLY INTERVENTION & PRESCHOOL Programs providing services for children 0-3 and preschool services for children ages 3-5

Montgomery County’s Early Intervention Office

SPIN Inc.

Mental health counseling & support services; developmental disabilities and early intervention assessment & therapies.

Provides early intervention, day care & preschool for ages 1-5. Head Start ages 3-5, Pre-K Counts and PHLpreK for ages 3-5.

1430 Dekalb St., Norristown, PA 19404 610-277-7176 Montcopa.org/745/Early-Intervention

NJ Dept. of Health & Senior Services, Special Child Health & Early Intervention Services

PO Box 360, Trenton, NJ 08625 800-367-6543 Burlington Co.: 609-267-1950, ext. 42882 Camden Co.: 800-999-9045 Cumberland Co.: 856-453-2154 Gloucester Co.: 856-681-6497 Mercer Co.: 609-588-8460 Salem Co.: 856-935-7510, ext. 8479 Nj.gov/health/fhs/sch Point of entry into early intervention. Assists with access to services for children.

Overbrook School for the Blind 6333 Malvern Ave., Phila. 19151 215-877-0313 Obs.org

Early intervention for children birth to age 3 & educational programs for children ages 3-21 who are deaf, have hearing imparments, are blind or visually impaired.

See our ad, p. 31

Phebe Anna Thorne School, The

1029 Wyndon Ave., Bryn Mawr, PA 19010 610-526-7913 Brynmawr.edu/thorne Early-intervention program for speech & language difficulties.

Philadelphia Interagency Coordinating Council

260 S. Broad St., Phila. 19102 267-294-6065 Philadelphiaicc.org

Training for Philadelphia early intervention parents & providers.

Quest Therapeutic Services, Inc.

461 Cann Rd., West Chester, PA 19382 610-692-6362 QuestTherapeutic.com

Family-centered early intervention supports and services for ages birth-3.

Samuel Paley Early Learning Center

2199 Strahle St., Phila. 19152 215-725-8930 Felskids.org/center/paley

Federation Early Learning Services program accommodates learning disabilities.

10501 Drummond Rd.,Phila.,19154 Frankford Site: 1616 Orthodox St. Philadelphia, PA 19124 844-SPIN-CAN; Spininc.org

Service = Evaluations = Support 20= Bilingual MetroKids.com/SpecialKids

SPIN Inc. – Children’s Services

10501 Drummond Rd.,Phila., PA 19154 Parkwood Site: 12670 Dunks Ferry Rd. Phila., 19154 Frankford Site: 1616 Orthodox St. Phila., 19124 844-SPIN-CAN; Spininc.org

See our ads, pp. 2,29

El services for children from birth to Kindergarten, child care from age 1 -school age, PreK Counts, PHLpreK and Head Start for preschoolers.

See our ad, p. 18

SPIN Inc. – Philadelphia Autism Center for Excellence

10501 Drummond Rd., Phila. 19154 844-SPIN-CAN; Spininc.org

Comprehensive behavioral health services for children ages 2-21 who are at risk for or have a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder.

See our ad, p. 18

St. John of God Community Services, Archbishop Damiano School (ADS)

1145 Delsea Dr., Westville Grove, NJ 08093 856-848-4700; adsschool.org

Archbishop Damiano School is a non-sectarian, New Jersey State Department of Education approved private school for students with severe to moderate developmental disabilities, including intellectual, physical and complex medical conditions, ranging in age from three to twenty-one. ADS provides a dynamic educational program, which starts with the development of communication skills, social interactions, functional academic, work-related skills, fine and gross motor skills, specialized daily living skills and transitional programming.

See our ads, pp. 2,29

St. John of God Community Services (EIP)

1145 Delsea Dr., Westville Grove, NJ 08093 856-848-4700; Sjogcs.org

As part of the New Jersey Early Intervention System, St. John of God Community Services provides a full range of services for children of with various developmental delays. Serving the birth to three populations, St. John of God Community Services currently holds the contract to provide all assessments and evaluations in Gloucester County, as well as providing direct services in Salem and Cumberland counties. As part of their early intervention services, case-workers can evaluate a child’s development; provide an individualized development plan for that child, and any related services as directed.

= Vocational Training = Transportation = Bilingual Service

1145 Delsea Dr. Westville Grove, NJ 08093 856-848-4700 sjogcs.org

For children 6 weeks to 5 years of age, Here We Grow Learning Center offers a warm, caring and safe environment. Our experienced staff is invested in the growth and development of each child enrolled. In addition to childcare, we provide an inclusive preschool. Designed for typically and atypically developing children, Here We Grow Learning Center allows families to explore options for full-time or part-time enrollment.

See our ad, p. 18

See our ads, pp. 2,29

Here We Grow Learning Center at St. John of God Community Services

Theraplay

638 Brandywine Parkway West Chester, PA 19380 484-787-2200 Additional locations: 3260 Tillman Dr., Ste. 117, Bensalem, PA 19020; 267-332-2989 600 Reed Rd., Ste. 101, Broomall, PA 19008 610-356-1991 739 N. Easton Road, Unit 202, Doylestown, PA 18901; 215-345-5960 2909 N. Whitehall Rd., Unit 3, East Norriton, PA 19403; 484-965-9820 555 Business Center Dr., Ste.100, Horsham, PA 19044; 215-293-8882 385 Starr Rd., Landenberg, PA 19350, 484-720-8252 451 West Ridge Pike, Ste. 479, Limerick, PA 19468, 484-369-8953 790 Newtown Yardley Rd., Ste. 422, Newtown, PA 18940, 215-579-8797 2100 Quaker Pointe Dr., Quakertown, PA 18951, 215-804-1002 Theraplayinc.com

Physical, occupational, speech & feeding therapies and special instruction services.

Via of the Lehigh Valley

336 W. Spruce St., Bethlehem, PA 18018 610-317-8000; Vianet.org

Identifies & addresses delays from birth-age 3.

Virtua Early Intervention Program

523 Fellowship Road, Suite 270 Mount Laurel, NJ, 08054 609-914-8080 Virtua.org/services/earlyintervention-program

WIC (Women,Infants & Children) Division, Pennsylvania Department of Health 625 Forster St., 7th Fl., West Wing, Harrisburg, PA 17120-0701 717-783-1289

= Evaluations

MetroKids.com/SpecialKids 3 = Support = Vocational Training

EARLY INTERVENTION & PRESCHOOL Programs providing services for children 0-3 and preschool services for children ages 3-5

Health.pa.gov/My%20Health/WIC/Pages/default.aspx#.

Ws5UlhQpz7t Bucks: 215-345-3494 282 Almshouse Rd., Doylestown, PA 18901 Buckscounty.org/government/healthservices/HealthDepartment/ WICBenefits Chester: 610-344-6240 601 Westtown Rd., Ste. 190, West Chester, PA 19380-0990 Chesco.org/health Delaware: 610-497-7668; 2600 W. 9th St., Chester, PA 19013 Mont: 800-FOR-MFHS, Mfhs.org Phila: 215-978-6100 1300 W. Lehigh Ave., Phila., PA 19132 Northwic.org Special needs formulas & nutrition for ages birth-5.

Like

Weisman Children’s

Multiple Locations, NJ 877-543-8774 Weismanchildrens.com

Weisman Children’s is a community-based pediatric specialty organization consisting of an acute rehabilitation hospital, outpatient rehabilitation centers and medical day care centers; focused solely on the needs of infants, children, teens and young adults in South Jersey and the Greater Philadelphia area. The rehabilitation hospital located in Marlton, New Jersey, is an 18-bed facility with a focus on eight core programs: traumatic brain injury, infant feeding, pulmonary, burn, diabetes management, neonatal abstinence syndrome, amplified musculoskeletal pain syndrome and pediatric rehab. Our five outpatient clinics located in Marlton, Pennsauken, Vineland, Northfield, and Washington Township, New Jersey, provide physical, occupational, speech, and feeding therapy.

See our ad, p. 45

.com

Follow

Visit

TEMPLE BETH HILLEL - BETH EL Early Childhood Center 1001 Remington Rd., Wynnewood, PA 19096

Preschool early intervention for eligible children between 3 and 5 years of age.

Philadelphia SEEDS 4040 Market Street Philadelphia, PA 19104 For evaluations call: 215-222-8054 Chester SEEDS 419 Avenue of the States, 3rd Fl., Chester, PA 19013 For evaluations call: 610-872-4590

Now in Our 25th Year of Special Education “Yes, we have a place for your child.”

Bright Horizons, a social language class for ages 3-5 with developmental delays in speech, language, motor skills and attention.

Music, creative movement, Weekdays Shabbat and holiday events, 9:00 am - 12:00 pm blended with regular school programming.

“Every child has the right to enjoy the benefits of having and being a friend.”

Children ages 3-6 benefit from a comprehensive 3 DAY a week program.

H H H H

Taking Turns & Sharing Play Dates Talking with Friends Good Sportsmanship

H Feelings H Manners

Mon., Wed. & Fri. 12:00 - 3:00 pm

Contact Judith Mont Scarani, School Director 610-649-2277 ext. 110 or jscarani@tbhbe.org

SO LOVE AUTISTIC CENTER • FREE ABA Program through Drexel University • Flexible Scheduling Until 6:30PM • Project-Based Learning (Social Skill Classes) • Clinical Supervision Available

www.solovecenter.org

== Bilingual Service Bilingual Service

MetroKids.com/SpecialKids21 4 MetroKids.com/SpecialKids

= Evaluations TrainingTraining = Transportation = Evaluations = Support = Support= Vocational = Vocational

433 Burmont Rd Drexel Hill, PA 19026 (610) 446-3680 • info@solovecenter.org

A Class with Room for All SpecialKids Education

Inclusion Benefits Every Student

By Terri Akman Thirteen-year-old Max Matthews loves to hang out with his friends, watch football or stroll through his Bella Vista neighborhood. The 8th grader at the Meredith School in Queen Village has autism and ocular motor apraxia, which affects eye movements. Since Kindergarten, Max has been included in a general-population classroom, where he makes important friendships with peers from his neighborhood.

“That’s really important because when you have a child with a social disability, what I had feared the most was whether he could have friends,” says his mom, Helen. “Being in an inclusive classroom means the expectations for him are set at the same level as other children to maximize his potential.”

Inclusion is not only beneficial, it is a civil-rights issue and mandated by federal law, says Maura McInerney, legal director of the Education Law Center in Philadelphia, who points to the Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act requiring that all students with disabilities be educated in the “least restrictive environment.”

Methods of inclusion

How each student is integrated into the general classroom differs based on that student’s needs. Some can spend the entire school day with their peers, though they may need additional support from a teacher or aide, a copy of class notes or extended time to complete an assignment or test. Others may stay in the class for certain subjects but leave for more individualized instruction in other subjects.

“Our typical situation is what we call the least dangerous assumption,” says Lisa Lawson, PhD, director of special

22 MetroKids.com/SpecialKids

education and student support services for the Brandywine, DE school district.

“We assume that all students can be successful in the general-education setting with support services and any kind of accommodations and modifications that we set forth in their IEP (individualized education program.)”

But if a student is not able to be successful in the general-education classroom, maybe due to academic or behavioral challenges, she may be moved to a self-contained classroom within the school with fewer students and more adult support.

Lawson points out that students need to understand that not all classmates may be treated the same. “Fair does not mean equal,” she says. “If you see your classmate with a fidget spinner in between reading and math and you’re asking why he gets that and you don’t, that may be something he needs but you don’t need.

It’s important to have that front-end conversation of why things are different.”

Students will adapt to the environment they’re in, Lawson adds.

“We live in a diverse society of all kinds of people,” she says. “There are more similarities than differences.”

Short-term costs, long-term gains

Inclusion benefits all students

Students with special needs sitting alongside their general-education peers offers benefits for all kids.

“It’s good for the general-ed students to learn to respect the fact that there are people with differences and we’re all not great at everything,” says Elaine Hill, director of special services for the Voorhees, NJ school district.

For students with disabilities, inclusion leads to higher graduation rates, positive achievement outcomes, greater social competence, improved communication skills and the acquisition of a fuller range of skills that are available in inclusive classrooms.

Educating all students inclusively does come with costs. Financially, inclusive settings are not necessarily cost-cutting measures in the short term, says McInerney. “You have to make some significant investments. However those investments are very efficient and an effective use of funds, because they hold the potential to dramatically improve educational outcomes for all of our students.”

It’s also essential that teachers are appropriately trained, adds Hill. You can’t ask a general-education teacher to do more than his skill level and time constraints dictate.

“There has to be a continuum of services available,” she says. “Inclusion is absolutely the first option but you have to have other options for kids who might have something that would interfere with their functioning in a general-ed classroom.”

Terri Akman is a contributing writer to MetroKids.

SpecialKids 2018

Leader in Pennsylvania Free OnlineCyber Public School School Tec

Leader in Pennsylvania Cyber School Tec

Kindergarten to 12th grade Leader in Pennsylvania Cyber School Techn

Summer Matters offers educational, recreational and vocational programming for young people, 5–24 years of age, with learning challenges and special needs. Summer Matters programs are of varying formats and lengths and build on participants’ interests to help them succeed, learn and grow.

Kindergarten to 12th grade

Celebrating 48 years of helping bright children who have yet to reach their academic potential become confident Free Online Public School and strategic thinkers, learners, and problem solvers who Free Online Public School meet with success in school and life.

Kindergarten to 12th grade

The Vanguard School is an Approved Private School for students, 4–21 years of age, with exceptionalities including autism, speech-language disorders, emotional disturbance and/or other health impairment (OHI). The School provides comprehensive special education and related clinical services with a unique focus on the individual student and his or her readiness for life.

Free Online Public School Free Online Public SchoolCamp: Learn more about Benchmark & Benchmark Free OnlineSchool Public School 610-565-3741 • BenchmarkSchool.org Free Online PublicSchool School Technology Leader Cyber LeaderininPennsylvania Pennsylvania Cyber Free PublicSchool SchoolTechnology FreeOnline Online Public School Leader in Pennsylvania Cyber School Technology Free OnlineRd., Public School 2107 N. Providence Media, PA 19063 Technology Leader Cyber School LeaderininPennsylvania Pennsylvania Cyber School Technology LeaderKindergarten in Pennsylvania Cyber School Technology to 12th 12th grade Leader School Technology KindergartenCyber to grade LeaderininPennsylvania Pennsylvania Cyber School Technology KindergartenCyber to 12th grade Leader in Pennsylvania School Technology Kindergarten to 12th 12thgrade grade Kindergarten to Kindergarten to 12th grade Kindergarten to 12th grade

Customized Workforce Solutions provides employment-related services to adults with disabilities. Participants define their goals, understand their skills and discover their vocational interests and work preferences. CWS develops and maintains mutually beneficial employment relationships between employees and employers.

Valley Forge Educational Services prepares children and adults with special needs to realize their potential as contributing members of the community.

Kindergarten to 12th grade Kindergarten to 12th grade

info@vfes.net 1777 N. Valley Road, Malvern, PA VFES.net n610.296.6725

FosteringthePotentialWithin…

Imagine a school where children with vision impairment and developmental disabilities grow academically, physically and emotionally…

Imagine a nurturing educational staff committed to supporting the unique needs of students ages 4.5 – 21 years in a welcoming, homelike setting…

Imagine a highly individualized delivery of services including a deaf/ blind program, orientation and mobility, occupational therapy, life skills, specialized academics, aquatics and music therapy…

Imagine no further.

Royer-Greaves School for Blind is right here, in your community, and has been supporting the unique needs of children with vision impairments and disabilities since 1921.

At Royer-Greaves, the potential within every individual is fostered daily, enabling students to enjoy a quality of life not otherwise available to them.

Contact us for a tour today.

The Pathway School is an approved private school for students with significant learning, social/emotional and executive functioning needs.

www.pathwayschool.org 610-277-0660

Leader in Pennsylvania Cyber School Techno LeaderininPennsylvania Pennsylvania Cyber School Techn Leader Cyber School Technolo

Online Public School Leader in Pennsylvania CyberSchool School Technology Online Public School Leader Cyber Technology Online Public School LeaderininPennsylvania Pennsylvania Cyber School Technology Kindergarten to 12th Grade Leader CyberSchool SchoolTechnology Technology LeaderininPennsylvania Pennsylvania Cyber Leader in Pennsylvania Cyber School Technology Online Public School Online Public School Kindergarten totoSchool 12th Kindergarten 12thGrade Grad Online Public Online Public School Online Public School OnlinePublic PublicSchool School Online

info@royer-greaves.org 610-644-1810 www.royer-greaves.org

SpecialKids 2018

118 South Valley Road Paoli, PA 19301

Leader in Pennsylvania Cyber CyberSchool SchoolTechnology Technology Leader LeaderininPennsylvania Pennsylvania Cyber School Technology

Online Public School Online Public School Kindergarten 12th Grade Online Public School Kindergarten to 12th Grade Online Public School Kindergarten to 12th Grade Enroll Now Kindergarten to 12th Grade Kindergarten to 12th Grade Kindergarten 12th Grade toto Kindergarten to12th 12th Grade Kindergarten Grade Kindergarten 12th Grade Enroll Now Enroll Now www.agora.org Enroll Now Enroll Now Enroll Now Enroll Now www.agora.org Enroll Now www.agora.org Enroll Now Enroll Now www.agora.org Enroll www.agora.org EnrollNow Now www.agora.org www.agora.org www.agora.org www.agora.org www.agora.org www.agora.org www.agora.org www.agora.org

844-402-4672 844-402-4672 844-402-4672 844-402-4672 844-402-4672 844-402-4672 844-402-4672 844-402-4672 844-402-4672 844-402-4672 844-402-4672 844-402-4672

MetroKids.com/SpecialKids www.Agora.org | 844.40.AGORA 844.40.AGORA 23 www.Agora.org | 844.40.AGORA www.Agora.org | 844.40.AGORA www.Agora.org | www.Agora.org | 844.40.AGORA www.Agora.org 844.40.AGORA www.Agora.org | www.Agora.org |844.40.AGORA 844.40.AGORA www.Agora.org | 844.40.AGORA www.Agora.org 844.40.AGORA www.Agora.org | || 844.40.AGORA www.Agora.org | 844.40.AGORA www.Agora.org 844.40.AGORA

2018-2019 Special Needs School Survey If your child has special needs, finding the right educational program can make all the difference. That’s where our SpecialKids 2018 annual school survey comes in. This exclusive list of schools serving Philadelphia and the Pennsylvania suburbs, southern New Jersey and Delaware is updated each year to track changes in enrollment, educational approach, specialized services offered and disabilities served.

The more than 80 schools listed are divided into three categories (described below) so that you can search based on the type of student served. Keep in mind that your child might fit best in schools listed under more than one category. For example, a student diagnosed with

SUPPORT SERVICES Medical staff/Nursing Counseling Behavior Analyst Transition Support Art Therapy Music Therapy Hippotherapy Animal/Dog Therapy Aquatic Therapy

OT Occupational Therapy PT Physical Therapy ST Speech Therapy

OTHER SERVICES Residential Extended Day Summer Program Transportation 24 MetroKids.com/SpecialKids

high-functioning autism or high emotional-support needs may find an appropriate school in both Parts 1 and 2.

Part One: Autism, P. 25 — School information relevant to students with a diagnosis on the autism spectrum Part Two: Learning Differences, P. 26 — Schools for students who struggle in a traditional classroom environment or have been diagnosed with learning challenges such as dyslexia or ADHD Part Three: Significant Support, P. 28 — Schools serving students with a variety of physical, intellectual or developmental challenges

The legend below can help you easily identify more detailed information — including the distinct special needs served at that particular school. You can find out even more about each school online at MetroKids.com/ specialneedsschools.

When you have identified a school of interest, contact the administrator and arrange a tour, because only an inperson visit can confirm whether that school is right for you and your child.

We are always trying to improve this survey, so send your feedback to editor@metrokids.com.

LEGEND

LEARNING STRATEGIES & VOCATIONAL ABBREVIATIONS ABA Applied Behavior Analysis, behavior improvement through interventions based on learning theory Academic Club Learning model emphasizes the arts and hands-on experiential learning Association Method Phonics-based, multisensory curriculum to teach oral and written communication Orton-Gillingham Multisensory, sequential, language-based reading approach PBIS Positive Behavioral Intervention & Supports, evidence-based interventions to enhance learning and behavior Read 180 Three-pronged strategic intervention for struggling readers Sanctuary Model Trauma-informed approach to creating change SPA Safe & Positive Approaches, comprehensive crisis-prevention program T2C Transition to college TEACCH Model Job coach-supported employment program Teaching Family Model of care used in residential settings Wilson Reading Structured, remedial research- based reading & writing program

SPECIAL NEEDS SERVED ASP AUT CP COM DD EMO EP HI LD MD NI PDD PHY VI

Asperger syndrome Autism Cerebral palsy Communication/social disorder Developmental disability Emotional/behavioral disorder Epilepsy/seizure disorder Hearing impairment/deaf Learning disability/ADHD Muscular dystrophy Neurological impairment Pervasive development disorder Physical disability Visual impairment/blind

TUITION FAO Financial Aid Offered FAPE Free Appropriate Public Education

SpecialKids 2018

EDUCATION SURVEY: Schools serving children on the autism spectrum School

Enrollment

Grades/ Ages

Tuition

Sta/student ratio

Tech

Support services

Learning strategies

Vocational opportunities

Brennen School, DE Ages Assistive tech, 400 FAPE 1:4 ABA Life skills Autism Program, Newark, birth-21 PECS DE Brennenschool.org Serves students with moderate to severe autism in the Appoquinimink, Brandywine, Christina, Colonial & Red Clay Consolidated school districts. ASP, AUT, PDD Centennial School Ages 6-21 FAPE 1:3 Bethlehem, PA 86 Centennial.coe.lehigh.edu Serves children and youth classified as emotionally disturbed and autistic. AUT, EMO

iPads, Laptops, Smart Boards

Direct instruction

Vo-tech partners

Extracurriculars

Other services

Sports, field trips

Field trips

Life skills, Comprehensive Learning Aug. devices, Mostly ABA prevoc. & voc.

Center Southampton, PA Ages 3-21 1:1 PECS, 30 FAPE training, Clcschool.net Proloquo2Go Provides education & treatment services for students with a primary diagnosis of an autism spectrum disorder through 1:1 instruction and home/community programming. ASP, AUT, PDD PBIS, $36,000 Aug. devices, Career placement, Cognitive FAPE, Computer lab, college prep, life 1:4 65 Behavioral skills, private PECS, Smartvoc. training Therapy pay Boards Individualized academic program that incorporates career exploration for those with autism and emotional & behavioral issues. ASP, AUT, COM, DD, EMO, LD, NI, PDD Delta School Phila. 19154 Deltaschool.us

Grades K -12

Devereux Day School SmartBoards, CARES Ages 5-21 FAPE 4:5 PECS, Ipads, 60 Downington, PA communication Devereuxpa.org The Center for Autism Research and Educational services students with an autism spectrum disorder diagnosis. AUT

ABA, Autism PBIS, BCBA, CBI

Employment training, Life Skills

Art, field trips, library, music. phys. ed.

Field trips, service learning, Special Olympics

Aimsweb, PBIS, Trauma Career planning, Chromebooks, Informed employment Field trips Smart Boards, training Care AlphaSmarts Serves boys with a wide array of mental health, emotional & behavioral disorders, PDD and Tourette Syndrome with a trauma-informed care model known as Sanctuary. AUT, EMO, LD, PDD Devereux PA - Brandywine Glenmoore, PA Devereuxpa.org

Devereux PA - Leo Kanner Learning Center West Chester, PA Devereuxpa.org

110

175

Ages 7-18

Grades 1-12

FAPE

FAPE

1:1:12

1:3

Aug. devices, iPads, PECs, SmartBoards, Aimsweb

PBIS, Autism PBIS, BCBA, Community Based Instruction

Career planning, life skills, employment training

Field trips, service learning, Special Olympics

PBIS, Trauma Informed Care, Direct Instruction

Career planning, employment training

Field trips

ABA

Communitybased inst., voc. training

Art, music, tech class

ABA, PBIS, Wilson Reading

Vocational training

Art, physical education

Serves students with intellectual/developmental disabilities, autism and behavioral disorders. AUT, NI Aimsweb, Computers, 50 Computer lab, SmartBoards Serves students with a wide array of mental health, emotional & behavioral disorders, PDD, and ASD. ASD, ASP, AUT, EMO, LD, PDD Devereux PA - Day School, Malvern, PA Devereuxpa.org

Grades 1-12

FAPE

1:1:12

Durand Academy Computer lab, Woodbury, NJ 50 Ages 5-21 FAPE 1:2 iPads, Smart Durandac.org Boards Serves students with social, emotional & learning diďŹƒculties who are likely to return to their home school districts. ASP, AUT, EMO, LD Aug. devices, computers, laptops, SmartBoards School/licensed psychiatric clinic serves those with ASDs, co-occurring psychiatric or intellectual disabilities. ASP, AUT, EMO, LD

Green Tree School & Services, Phila. 19138 greentreeschool.org

160

Ages 5-21

FAPE

1:4

ABA, Academic College prep, Life Art, field Aug. devices, Club, PBIS, trips, library, Computer lab, skills, Vocational Dragon Naturally Ortonsports, physical training Speaking Gillingham education Co-ed school for those with ASDs, various disabilities and clinically diagnosed issues like anxiety disorder; partners with Burlington Co. College. ASP, COM, DD, EMO, HI, LD, NI

Hampton Academy Mount Holly, NJ Hamptonacademy.com

95

Grades K-12

FAPE

1:5

Springtime School FAPE, Grades 1-12 Private Individualized Newtown, PA 6 1:1 (to age 21) tech Springtimeschool.org pay Serves students on the autism spectrum using an individualized, research-based, functional approach. ASP, AUT, PDD Timothy School, The Berwyn, PA 69 Ages 5-21 FAPE 1:2 Timothyschool.com Individualized, specialized instruction for children diagonosed with autism or PDD. AUT, PDD

1:1 computers, Smart Boards, Wireless campus

ABA, PBIS, SPA

Career placement, voc. training, life skills

Art, library, music

TEACCH model, ABA, PBIS

Voc. training

Sports

Aug. devices, Career placement, Art, library, ABA,PBIS, Computers, college prep, voc. music, sports , SPA iPads, Smarttraining, Life Skills field trips Boards Serves students with exceptionalities including Autism, emotional disturbance, speech-language impairment, specific learning disability and other health impairments. AUT, COM, DD, LD, EMO, PDD Vanguard School, The Malvern Vanguardschool-pa.org

SpecialKids 2018

265

Ages 4-21

FAPE

1:3

MetroKids.com/SpecialKids 25

EDUCATION SURVEY: Schools serving children with learning differences School

Enrollment

Grades/ Ages

Tuition

AIM Academy $34,912Grades Conshohocken, PA 344 $38,975 1-12 Aimpa.org FAO, FAPE College-prep, co-ed program for bright students with learning differences. LD

Staff/student ratio

Tech

1:6 1:8

iPads, Laptops, Dragon Naturally Speaking

Support services

Learning strategies

Vocational opportunities

Extracurriculars

PBIS, OrtonGillingham, SPA, Wilson Reading

College prep

Music, art, sports

Association ATG Learning Academy Grades $30,540 Method, Chalfont, PA 30 1:5 K-12 FAO Wilson Reading Atglearningacademy.com Remedial language structure program strengthens weak cognitive capacities via computer, auditory & pen-and-paper exercises. Students are taught to mastery. COM, LD Benchmark School $35,200iPads, Media, PA 178 Grades 1-8 $36,500 1:3 Smart Boards, Benchmarkschool.org FAO Learning Ally College-prep school for those with dyslexia, reading disabled, ADHD, auditory processing disorder and other learning differences. LD 70

Ages 8-18

FAPE

1:3

Cambridge School Pennington, NJ Thecambridgeschool.org

120

Grades K-12

$46,920 FAO

1:8

Art, sports, theater Art, library, music sports theater

Language decoding

Computers, OrtoniPads, Laptops, Gillingham Learning Ally, SmartBoards Multisensory curriculum for students with average to above-average intelligence & learning differences like dyslexia, dysgraphia and ADHD. LD Bridge Academy, The Lawrenceville, NJ Banj.org

College prep, life skills

Art, music sports, phys. ed., theater

Lindamood Bell, Orton-Gillingham, Wilson Reading

Music, theater, sports, field trips

$32,500 iPads, Laptops, OrtonFAO, 1:8 Learning Ally, Gillingham, Scholarship, SmartBoards Wilson Reading Private Pay Full curriculum for those with average or above-average learning potential and learning differences or a lack of reading and language skills. LD

Art, field trips, music, phys. ed., sports, theater

Smart Boards, iPads, 3D printer, chromebooks

Other services

Individualized, multisensory, comprehensive & structured program for bright children who learn differently. LD Center School Abington, PA Centerschoolpa.org

95

Grades 1-8

$12,925Centreville Layton School, Grades 90 $27,325 Centreville, DE PreK-12 FAO Centrevilleschool.org Rigorous educational experience for students who learn differently. LD

1:5

AlphaSmarts, iPads, laptops, Smart Boards

Academic Club, Orton-Gillingham, PBIS

Career placement, college prep

1:1 computers, Orton-Gillingham, The College School at the FAO, University of DE, Newark, 70 Ages 6-14 Private 1:5 iPads, Smart PBIS, SPA pay DE Collegeschool.udel.edu Boards Wilson Reading Individualized program in a lab environment designed to help students with learning differences return to the traditional classroom. COM, LD, PDD Concept School, The Grades $20,750, Westtown, PA 30 4:1 Chromebooks Wilson Reading 7-12 Private pay Theconceptschool.org Social thinking curriculum for those who have difficulty focusing in class, struggle with reading comprehension or find social interaction difficult. ASP, LD Crefeld School, The $28,842Computer lab, Individualized Grades Phila. 19118 100 $32,918 1:5 Smart Boards, learning 7-12 Crefeld.org FAO Laptops Educates the whole child and provides a college-prep, hands-on and experiential curriculum with an emphasis on social justice. ASP, LD

Art, sports theater

Art, field trips

College prep

Phys. ed., art, music, theater, filed trips

College prep

Art, music sports, theater

Music, phys.

Delaware Valley Friends $33,950Laptops, iPads, OrtonGrades College prep ed., sports, School Paoli, PA 185 $38,890 1:4 Smart Boards, Gillingham 3-12 art, theater Dvfs.org FAO Learning Ally National recognized, co-ed, Quaker college-prep school for bright students who struggle with reading, writing, math, memory, processing, ADHD, executive functioning & other learning differences. LD Gateway Lab School 226 FAPE Academic Club Wilmington, DE Grades 3-8 Computers Gatewaylabschool.org Charter school that serves students who have struggled to achieve academic success in a traditional classroom environment. ASP, AUT, LD Career placeGreen Valley Academy ABA, Academic Grades ment, college Paoli/Parkesburg, PA 75 FAO, FAPE 1:10 Club, PBIS 3-12+ prep, life skills Greenvalleyacademy.org Scholastic program that incorporates individualized educational plans in low-enrollment classes with nurturing, support and mentoring. ASP, COM, DD, EMO, LD, PDD Hillside School $24, 500 Macungie, PA 72 Grades K-8 FAO, FAPE, 1:8 Hillsideschool.org scholarships Rolling admissions at school for bright students with complex learning disabilities. LD Hill Top Preparatory School, Rosemont, PA Hilltopprep.org

75

Grades 5-PG

FAO, Private Pay

4:1

Adaptive tech, Computer lab, iPads, Laptops

Multisensory approach, Lindamood Bell

College prep

Art, music, sports

Laptops, Smart TV

Individual academics

College Prep

Art, Field trips, Library, Music, Sports, Theater

Serves bright students with complex learning issues including anxiety and difficulty navigating social situations. ASP, COM, LD

26 MetroKids.com/SpecialKids

Art, library, sports, theater

SpecialKids 2018

EDUCATION SURVEY: Schools serving children with learning differences School

Enrollment

Grades/ Ages

Tuition

Staff/student ratio

Tech

Support services

Lewis School of $13,250Princeton Grades Communication 195 $36,500 Princeton, NJ PreK-PG tech FAO Lewisschool.org Multisensory academics for language-based learning difficulties related to dyslexia, auditory processing and ADHD. LD

Learning strategies

Vocational opportunities

Extracurriculars

Lindamood, Bell, Wilson Reading, Multisensory instruction

College prep

Art, music, theater, sports

Other services

Martin Luther School Art, library, Computer lab, PBIS Plymouth Meeting, PA 200 Ages 5-14 FAPE 1:4, 1:5 music, sports Assistive tech Silver-springs.org School for those identified as needing full-time emotional support adjacent to residential treatment center for those with serious emotional or behavioral issues. ASP, DD, EMO, PDD PBIS, SPA Career MileStone Academy, Art, Music, Grades FAPE, Ortonplacement, Voc. Jenkintown, PA 25 1:6 Computers, Theater 9-12 Private Pay Gillingham training milestone-academy.org Educates high school students with learning differences through research-based, multi-sensory programs in small, individualized, comprehensive and structured classes. ASP, COM, EP, LD, PDD Student New Hope Academy Case-byTech Grades progresses at Life skills Doylestown & Yardley, PA 130 case basis, 1:2 curriculum with 6-12 own pace Newhopeacademy.net some FAO robotics Individualized learning for those who are school-phobic, at-risk or have IEPs, learning disabilities or struggle in a traditional school setting. ASP, EMO, LD, PDD OrtonNewgrange School Inspiration, Grades FAO, FAPE, Gillingham, T2C, Hamilton, NJ 95 Dragon Dictate, 2-12+ Private pay Wilson Reading Thenewgrange.org Learning Ally Academics including STEM for those with autism, nonverbal communication disorders, learning differences, dyslexia and Asperger’s. ASP, AUT, LD Linamood Bell, Orchard Friends School $45,000 Chromebooks, Grades Orton-Gillingham, Riverton, NJ 20 FAO, FAPE, 1:4 iPads, Smart K-12 Fast ForWord Orchardfriends.org Private Pay Boards Middle States-accredited school dedicated to the education of children with language-based and other learning differences. ASP, AUT, HI, LD, NI, PDD Phelps School, The $29,800SPA, Wilson Grades 1:4 IT courses Malvern, PA 110 $50,800 Reading 6-PG FAO, scholarship Thephelpsschool.org Supplemental academic support in traditional boarding/day program for boys who benefit from a smaller, more nurturing school setting. ASP, LD Pilot School, The $31,100 Wilmington, DE 150 Ages 5-14 1:5 FAO Pilotschool.org School’s goal is returning children to a traditional education setting within 3-5 years. LD

Computers, Computer lab, Smart Boards

Sports

Life skills

Art, music, sports

Life skills, Vocational Training

Art, field trips, library, music, Phys. ed

College prep

Art, music, sports

Individual goals & strengths

Art,music, library, sports

Positive Outcomes Grades PBIS, Read 180 Voc. training Charter School, 126 FAPE 1:6 7-12 Computers Camden, DE; Positiveoutcomescs.org Charter school provides individualized education to DE students who are at risk or have experienced difficulties in a traditional school setting. ASP, AUT, COM, EMO, LD

Field trips, school clubs

Wilson Reading, Quaker School at $13,000 (K), iPads, Laptops, Lindamood Bell, Horsham, The $40,060 Smart Boards, 70 Grades K-9 1:3:6 PBIS Horsham, PA (1-9) FAO, Dragon NaturalEdmark Reading Quakerschool.org FAPE ly Speaking Friends-based responsive classrooms with individualized multisensory programs for capable children who learn differently. ASP, AUT, COM, LD

Art, field trips, library, music, sports, theater

Stratford Friends School $39,9381:1 iPads, OrtonNewtown Square, PA 75 Grades K-9 $40,803 1:6 Chromebooks, Gillingham Stratfordfriends.org FAO Innovation Ctr. Multisensory academics in a Quaker-school setting for students of above-average intelligence with language-based learning differences. LD

Music, sports, theater, field trips

TALK Institute and School FAPE, Aug. devices, Association PreK-age Newtown Square, PA 21 scholarship, 4:8 iPads, ProloMethod 21 Talkinc.org Private pay quo2Go Serves children with severe speech & language diosorders in a fully integrated therapeutic and academic 11-month program. ASP, AUT, COM, DD, EMO, LD, NI, PDD Wilson Reading, Woodlynde School, $21,013Laptops, iPads, Grades Metacognition, Stafford, PA 275 $37,611 1:5 Learning Ally, K-12 multisensory Woodlynde.org FAPE, FAO Smart Boards Students gain access to caring experts in education, thrive in a nurturing environment & rise to the challenge of a college-prep curriculum. LD Wyncote Academy T2C, Wilson Grades $26,500 Laptops, Tablets, Elkins Park, PA 100 1:8 Reading 6-12 FAO SmartBoards Wyncoteacademy.org Currently located on Gratz College’s Mandell Campus, this college-prep program caters to bright underachievers of potential. ASP, EMO, LD

SPECIAL NEEDS SCHOOLS, SERVICES AND RESOURCES SpecialKids 2018

Field trips

College prep

Art, library, music, sports, theater

College prep

Art, Sports, Field trips

metrokids.com/specialkids MetroKids.com/SpecialKids 27

EDUCATION SURVEY: Schools serving children requiring significant support School

Enrollment

Grades/ Ages

Tuition

Staff/student ratio

Tech

Support services

Learning strategies

Vocational opportunities

Extracurriculars

Other services

Bellwether Adaptive speech FAPE, ABA Behavioral Health 100 Ages 8+ tools, computer Life skills Private pay Bear, DE labs, iPads Bellbh.com A residential, special education program for individuals with exceptional behavioral & developmental challenges. ASP, AUT, COM, DD, EMO, EP, HI, LD, NI, PDD Abp. Ryan Acad. for Deaf ASL, Braille, Fast Art, field trips, iPads, Laptops, St. Lucy Day School for PreK-4 Private pay, Forward Readlibrary, music, 1:5 Smart Boards, Children w/Visual Impair40 through Scholarship ing, Orientation physical Learning Ally ments, Phila. 19124; 8th grade FAO and Mobility education Stl.ocephila.org Bilingual program (ASL) for students who are deaf/hard of hearing. St. Lucy: Braille-based program for students who are blind/visually impaired. HI, VI Archway Programs Life skills, vocaArt, music, Waterford, NJ (Lower School) Mobility & Functional 210 Ages 3-21 FAPE tional training, sports, Evesham, NJ (Upper School) speech tech academics job placement swimming Archwayprograms.org NJ-approved private school for students with multiple disabilities, ASDs, communication disabilities, multiple handicaps & behavioral concerns. ASP, AUT, COM, DD, EMO, LD, NI, PDD, PHY, VI Bancroft School at Voorhees Interaction iPads to SmartFAPE Pediatric Facility, The 70 Ages 3-21 1:2 IEP-based with typically Boards Voorhees, NJ; Bancroft.org abled peers Educational and skills program for children with complex medical needs, including cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy and neurological disorder. CP, DD, EMO, HI, LD, MD, NI, PDD, VI Bancroft School Transition Career prep & FAPE Program at CCC, The, 400 Ages 18-21 1:2 Assistive tech exploration Blackwood, NJ; Bancroft.org Job-readiness and life-skills transition program for young adults with intellectual & developmental disabilities, autism and PDD. AUT, DD, PDD Aug. devices, Bancroft School Early computers, Education,The FAPE, ABA, SPA 38 Ages 3-9 2:1 PECS, SmartCherry Hill, NJ Private pay Boards Bancroft.org Early Education school for children 3-8 years old with Autism, intellectual/developmental disabilities. ASP, AUT, COM, DD, EMO, EP, NI, PDD, PD, VI

Sports

Life skills

Art, field trips, library, music, phys. ed., sports

Bancroft School, The Aug. devices, Career placeArt, field trips, FAPE, Mount Laurel, NJ 230 Ages 8-21 Varies Computers, ABA, SPA ment, Life skills, music, phys.

Private Pay Bancroft.org iPads, PECs Voc. training ed., sports Maximizes each child’s potential through student-focused innovative instruction, individualized behavior therapies and community integration. AUT, COM, DD, EMO, EP, HI, LD, NI, PDD, PHY, VI Functional Benedictine School, The, iPads, Smart Life skills, Sports, field 1:4 (day) academics, STARS, Ridgely, MD 92 Ages 5-21 FAPE Boards/Tables, voc. training trips 1:3 (resident) TEACCH, ABA Benschool.org computers Students ages 5-21 with intellectual disabilities, multiple disabilities and autism. ASP, AUT, EMO, LD, NI, PDD IEP based, Art, HortiBrookfield Schools 1:1 iPads, Cosmetology, Behavior culture, Field Cherry Hill, NJ 133 Ages 5-21 FAPE Laptops, Culinary modification Trips, Sports Brookfieldschools.org Smart Boards Three Camden Co. sites, segmented by grade, serve those with ASDs needing intensive behavioral/therapeutic intervention and transition services. All programs are NCASES accredited. ASP, AUT, EMO, LD Life skills, Camphill Special School, Tuition on Waldorf vocational Art, field trips Glenmoore, PA 110 Ages 4-21 request, opportunities Camphillspecialschool.org FAO Waldorf education rich in music, art & drama with various therapies and an animal/agricultural program for those with autism and intellectual & developmental disabilities. ASP, AUT, CP, DD, NI, PDD Crescent Hill Academy Mobility & Customized IEP, Independent FAPE Pennsauken, NJ 31 Ages 3-21 1:3 speech tech, team approach living, life skills Crescenthillacademy.org computers Functional academics and care management for those with autism, CP, MD, spina bifida, neurological impairments and other disabilities. CP, LD, MD, NI, VI

Field trips

Art, library, Davidson School Evidence- based School to work music, Media, PA Elwyn.org/ Ages 3-21 FAPE 2:8 400 approaches physical program/ approved_prieducation vate_school Multidisciplinary ed for those with ASDs, physical, mental & behavioral challenges, communication difficulties and medically fragile conditions. ASP, AUT, DD, EMO, HI, NI, PDD, VI Delaware School for the Computer lab, PBIS, Bilingual Deaf Newark, DE 115 Ages 5-21 FAPE 2:7 iPads, Smart ASL approach Dsdeaf.org Boards Acredited bilingual school serving deaf, hard of hearing and deaf-blind students . HI, VI SCERTS ECLC Of New Jersey WorkModel, Commureadiness, job Chatham, NJ 195 Ages 5-21 FAPE 1:4 iPads placement nity Based Eclcofnj.org Academic program aided by full-time facility therapy dogs for those with significant learning, communication & developmental disabilities. AUT, COM, DD, NI, PDD Garfield Park Academy Teaching Work study Willingboro, NJ 160 Ages 5-21 FAPE 1:1 Digital learning Family vocational Garfieldparkacademy.org Individual education, equine therapy and biofeedback for those with multiple and/or severe emotional and learning challenges. ASP, AUT, COM, DD, EMO, LD, NI, PDD

28 MetroKids.com/SpecialKids

Library, sports

Weekend sleepovers clubs, sports Sensory Exploratorium

SpecialKids 2018

The Coalition of Special Education Schools For parents of children with disabilities, finding an appropriate educational program for their child can be a difficult and confusing process. The Coalition of Special Education Schools was established to help parents learn more about the options they have concerning their child’s education.

The Coalition is a group of five private, non-profit special education schools located in Burlington, Camden and Gloucester counties. Our schools work together to provide information about services and programs that may best suit you and your child’s needs, and provide a range of services that is unrivaled in the special education field.

The Private Special Education School Option Private Special Education may be the best option for your child to succeed. As a parent of a child with disabilities, you are an integral part of your child’s education process. Working with members of your public school’s child study team, you can request information on private special education schools and help make an informed decision regarding your child’s education. The final referral to a private special education school comes from the school’s child study team, who will continue to work with the private school, and be responsible for the student. It is important to know that private special education is provided at NO COST to families.

What types of services do our schools provide? Some components of our programs are listed below; keep in mind that we make sure parents are involved from the very beginning. We listen to your ideas and concerns and build your child’s program accordingly.

Highlights of our programs include: Community-Based Instruction. Many of our programs bring children into the community so they may experience the practical side of learning—how to bank in a bank, how to shop in a supermarket, how to work in a real business.

These experiences are invaluable to students who otherwise might not be able to learn in the community where they live.

Therapeutic Services. These services—such as counseling, speech, physical, occupational, music and art therapies—provide parents with the ease and convenience of receiving comprehensive care in one unique, qualified setting.

Certified Vocational Training. Many of our schools provide outstanding vocational programs, where students are taught to develop work skills that prepare them for sheltered, supported, or competitive employment. Both onsite and offsite employment opportunities provide real-life situations where students thrive, succeed and achieve.

Comprehensive Staff. New Jersey Department of Education certified special education teachers, licensed therapists and a host of other professional staff members, which may include psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers and more, comprise the qualified staff at our schools.

Additional Services Include: • Optimum student-teacher ratios • Adherence to New Jersey Core Curriculum Content Standards • Extended school year programs • Highly focused technology and adaptive equipment • Full range of social activities including after-school activities, proms, plays and more • Transition services • Specifically designed or adapted facilities The nature of creating a caring, nurturing environment where children are encouraged to flourish and excel at their own pace establishes a family-like atmosphere. Private special education schools unite students, parents, teachers and professional staff with common goals, and through this process the support and encouragement is immeasurable.

We welcome the opportunity to discuss the private special education option with you.

For more information, call us at 1-800-697-8555 or visit us at our website: www.SpecialEducationSchools.org Members of the Coalition of Special Education Schools: • Brookfield Schools Cherry Hill & Haddon Heights, NJ www.brookfieldschools.org 856-795-8228, ext. 240 • Garfield Park Academy Willingboro, NJ www.garfieldparkacademy.org 609-877-4111, ext. 208 • HollyDELL School Hurffville, NJ www.hollydell.org 856-582-5151 • Larc School Bellmawr, NJ www.larcschool.org 856-933-3725 • St. John of God Community Services Westville Grove, NJ www.sjogcs.org 856-848-4700, ext. 1152 All the Coalition schools are proud members of ASAH, the not-for-profit organization of private special education schools and agencies in New Jersey.

Finding the appropriate educational option for your child can sometimes be a complicated process.

We have access to education and legal experts who can help you navigate through the process. For more information or for help in understanding your rights, call us at 1-800-697-8555.

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EDUCATION SURVEY: Schools serving children requiring signiďŹ cant support School

Enrollment

Grades/ Ages

Tuition

Sta/student ratio

George Crothers Memorial School Swarthmore, PA Ages 3-21 FAPE Cades.org School for medically fragile, multi-handicapped students.CP, DD, NI

Tech

Support services

Aug. communication, Assistive te

Learning strategies

Vocational opportunities

Extracurriculars

Research-based, multi-sensory approachs

Pre-vocational training, life skills

Art, music, field trips, adaptive PE

Other services

Career plcmt, Art, library, college prep, music, sports, life skills, voc. theater training Bridges the gap in education for students with a range of challenges, including but not limited to learning disabilities, emotional disturbances and ASDs. ASP, AUT, COM, EMO, HI, LD, PDD

High Road School of DE, Wilmington catapultlearning.com

36

Grades 4-12

FAPE

2.5:1

Laptops, com. lab, SmartBoards

HMS School for Children Dynamic display with Cerebral Palsy, 57 Ages 2-21 FAPE 1:7 & eye-gaze Phila. 19104; Hmsschool.org devices, iPads Emphasis on powered mobility, life skills and education for children with severe disabilities from CP to TBI, CP, NI

PBIS

Customized IEP, functional academics

Transition services

Art, Music, dance

ABA, multiHollyDELL, Inc. Life skills, vocaTAPit, EyeGaze FAPE sensory, Team Art, music Sewell, NJ 72 Ages 3-21 1:2 tional training technology approach Hollydell.org Individualized services to educate and instill independence in those with physical challenges and communication & developmental disabilities. ASP, CP, DD, HI, LD, MD, NI, PHY, VI Kingsway Learning Functional Center, Elementary 160 Ages 5-14 FAPE Assistive tech academics Haddonfield, NJ Kingswaylearningcenter.org Designed for those presenting with a wide variety of learning and/or developmental challenges. ASP, AUT, CP, COM, DD, EMO, EP, HI, LD, MD, PDD

Life skills, prevoc. training

Kingsway Learning Functional Vocational Center, Secondary 100 Ages 14-21 FAPE Assistive tech academics training Moorestown, NJ Kingswaylearningcenter.org Provides academic and therapeutic services that facilitate a successful transition to an active post-secondary life. ASP, AUT, COM, CP, DD, EMO, EP, HI, LD, MD, NI, PDD Multisensory Larc School, Speech tech, FAPE curriculum, Ages 3-21 3:1 Bellmawr, NJ Adaptive tech PBIS, SPA Larcschool.org Family-like environment and community-based instruction for South Jersey residents with with moderate to severe disabilities. AUT, DD, LD

Life skills

Career plcmt, College prep, Life skills, voc. training Provides a quality education for deaf or hard of hearing, cochlear-implanted, multiply-disabled, emotionally-disturbed students. ASP, AUT, CP, DD, HI, EMO, LD, NI, PDD, VI

Marie Katzenbach School for the Deaf Trenton, NJ Mksd.org

110

Grades K-12

FAPE

1:5

Computers, iPads, Smart Boards, FM sys.

ABA, Acad. Club, PBIS, TEACCH

Art, music, field trips

Sports

Library, music, sports, adaptive PE Art, library, music, sports, theater

Mary A. Dobbins School Learning Center FAPE Mount Holly, NJ 72 Ages 8-21 1:5 Computers Model Childrens-home.org Social, emotional & educational program for those with learning disabilities, behavioral problems & emotional disturbances. EMO, LD, NI

Youth services, vocational programs

Physical Activity

ProjectMatheny School, The Assitive tech, based, CommuPeapack, NJ 45 Ages 3-21 FAPE 3:1 iPads, Smart nity based Matheny.org Boards Children with a variety of developmental disabilities find a safe environment where they can reach their highest potential. CP, DD, EP, HI, MD, NI, PHY, VI

Pre-vocatonal training, Life skills

Art, music, sports, field trips

Melmark School, The Computers, Life skills, vocaArt, music, FAPE, Berwyn, PA ABA 110 Ages 5-21 1:1, 1:2 computer lab, tional training sports Private pay Melmark.org iPads, PECS Melmark cares for children and adults with autism, intellectual disabilities, brain injuries and other neurological and genetic diagnoses. ASP, AUT, CP, COM, DD, EMO, EP, HI, LD, NI, PDD, VI Overbrook School for the Computers w/ FAPE Blind, Phila. 19151 200 Ages 3-21 adaptive tech, Obs.org CCTV Braille, large-print, life skills, mobility education, plus aquatics center for those who are blind or visually impaired. VI Pathway School, Jeffersonville, PA Pathwayschool.org

160

Ages 5-21

$49,000$53,000, FAPE, Private pay

1:4

Computers, Learning Ally, SmartBoards

Braille & mobiity

Pre-vocational, vocational classes, Life Skills

Art, music, sports

PBIS, Wilson Reading

Life skills, Vocational training

Art, field trips, library, music, phys. ed., sports, theater

Multisensory academics for those with severe to moderate cognitive deficits, ASDs, intellectual disabilities and/or learning challenges. ASP, AUT, COM, DD, EMO, EP, LD, NI, PDD Pennsylvania School for the Deaf Phila. 19144 Psd.org

210

Ages 0-21

FAPE

1:4

Aug. devices, computers, PECS

ASL, PBIS, TEACCH Model

Caeer placement, college prep, life skills, voc. training

Art, field trips, library, phys. ed., sports, theater

Life skills, vocational training

Art, field trips, library, music, phys. ed., sports,

Bilingual language environment (ASL & spoken English) for those who are deaf, hard-of-hearing or cochlear-implanted. DD, HI, PD ABA, PBIS, Royer-Greaves School for Aug. devices, Multithe Blind, Paoli, PA 14 Ages 5-21 FAPE 1:1 Computers, sensory learning Royer-greaves.org iPads, PECS Functional academics, mobility and life skills for those who are blind or visually impaired with additional conditions such as hearing issues. HI, NI, VI

30 MetroKids.com/SpecialKids

SpecialKids 2018

EDUCATION SURVEY: Schools serving children requiring significant support School

Enrollment

Grades/ Ages

Tuition

Staff/student ratio

Tech

Support services

Learning strategies

Vocational opportunities

$5,100Aug. devices, $8,100, FAO, computers, 1:7 ABA, PBIS Life Skills Scholarship, Learning Ally Private pay PECS, SmartBoard Life skills program with strong emphasis on independent living skills for those with cognitive challenges and physical delays. AUT, CP, DD, NI, PDD, PHY, LD, MD Saint Katherine Day School, Wynnewood, PA Stkatherinedayschool.org

85

Ages 4.5-21

St. John of God CommuiPads, Smart nity Svcs., Archbishop 180 Ages 3-21 FAPE Common Core Boards Damiano School, Westville Grove, NJ ADSSchool.org Sensory experiences enhance education for those with autism and moderate to severe intellectual disabilities. AUT, CP, DD, EMO, LD, NI, PHY, VI 1:1 laptops, Valley Day School PBIS, Morrisville, PA; 110 Ages 4-21 FAPE 1:3 online materials, READ 180 Valleyday.org comp. lab, iPads Personalized remediation for PA & NJ students with special needs, referred by public and charter schools. ASP, AUT, COM, EMO, EP, HIV, LD, NI, PDD

Sports

Arts-related, vocational training

Sports

Art, music, sports

Bridges.com, life skills, vocational training

Y.A.L.E. School, Inc., Varies by Varies by Varies by Varies by CommunityFAPE Various campuses, NJ Ages 3-21 ABA campus campus campus campus based Yaleschool.com Programs for those with specific learning, emotional/behavioral or multiple disabilities at a dozen campuses throughout South Jersey. ASP, AUT, EMO, LD, NI

Like

Varies by campus

.com

Follow

Other services

Field trips, music, phys. ed.

Work study

Life skills, Woods Services Adaptive tech, EvidenceFAPE pre-vocational, Langhorne, PA 300 Ages 5-21 1:1 to 1:8 iPads, based, PBIS voc. training Woods.org SmartBoards 12-month residential/day school for those with ASDs, neurological disorders, developmental disabilities, brain injury and other impairments. AUT, OHI, DD, MD, NI, PDD Wordsworth Academy FAPE PBIS Ft. Washington, PA 235 Ages 5-21 1:8 Adaptive tech Wordsworth.org Curriculum for those with autism, PDD, brain injury and social/emotional disorders mirros public-school experience. ASP, AUT, EMO, LD, NI, PDD, VI

Extracurriculars

Visit

GIVING EVERY CHILD THE CHANCE TO SHINE.

AIM Academy maximizes student potential allowing children with learning differences to become children with learning eagerness. Learn more: www.aimpa.org

A Living Education

Please vis our we it camph bsite illspec ial school. org latest C for the ampus Tour d ates.

Camphill Special School’s mission is to create wholeness for children and youth with developmental disabilities through education, extended family living, and therapy so that they may be better understood, they may more fully unfold their potential, and they may meaningfully participate in life. To learn more visit our website at camphillspecialschool.org.

JOIN US ON FACEBOOK.

1784 Fairview Road, Glenmoore, PA 19343 610.469.9236 camphillspecialschool.org

SpecialKids 2018

MetroKids.com/SpecialKids 31

EDUCATION Day, residential, private and selected public schools. Also see the Special Needs School Survey chart, p. 24 and Early Intervention & Preschool, p. 18.

Agora Cyber Charter School 590 North Gulph Road King of Prussia, PA 19406 844-402-4672

Discover how Agora, a Pennsylvania public cyber school, can deliver a personalized learning experience, facilitated by highly-qualified certified teachers and specialists, in the comfort of your home. Agora creates a learning environment where everyone is included, valued, and receives the support they need to grow.

See our ad, p. 23

AIM Academy

1200 River Rd., Conshohocken, PA 19428 215-483-2461 Aimpa.org An evidence-based, 1st-12th grade collegeprep school for bright children with language-based learning differences such as dyslexia, dyscalculia and dysgraphia. A national leader in applying research-based best practices, AIM helps students discover the gift of fearless learning.

See our ad, p. 31

Archway Programs Upper & Lower Schools 280 Jackson Rd., PO Box 668 Atco, NJ 08004 856-767-5757; archwayprograms.org

Serves students ages 3-21 with multiple disabilities, autism spectrum disorders, communication disabilities, multiple handicaps & behavioral concerns. NJ DOE approved private school for the handicapped.

Auerbach Central Agency for Jewish Education / Jewish Outreach Partnership, Special Needs Dept.

261 Old York Rd., Jenkintown, PA 19046 215-320-0360 Jewishlearningventure.org

Jewish religious education & Hebrew lessons for kids with moderate to severe special needs.

The Bancroft School

311 Walton Avenue Mount Laurel, NJ 08054 800-774-5516 Bancroft.org

The Bancroft School, located in Mt. Laurel, New Jersey on the brand-new, 80-acre transformative Raymond & Joanne Welsh Campus for children’s programs, is the leading regional provider of special education programs for children and youth with autism, intellectual and developmental disabilities, ages 8 to 21. The campus is one of the first in the nation designed and inspired by the challenges of today’s children with autism and other intellectual and developmental disabilities.

See our ad, p. 71

SpecialKidsMagazine 32 MetroKids.com/SpecialKids

The Bancroft School at Voorhees Pediatric Facility

800-962-1141; Childswork.com

Serves chronically ill children who require continuous, skilled, high-level nursing care.

COMPASS, Garfield Park Academy

311 Walton Ave., Mount Laurel, NJ 08054 800-774-5516; Bancroft.org

See our ad, p. 71

Bellwether Behavioral Health 4185 Kirkwood-St. George’s Rd., Bear, DE 19701 302-834-7018; Bellbh.com

A residential, special education program for individuals with exceptional behavioral & developmental challenges.

Childswork Childsplay

Educational resources that address kids’ social & emotional needs.

24 Glenolden Ln., Willingboro, NJ 08046 609-877-4111 Garfieldparkacademy.org

Provides a supportive link between hospitalization or rehabilitation and a return to school for students with a brain injury. Offers day school, assessment & evaluation, transition services and school consultation & support.

See our ads, pp. 2,29

Benchmark School

Commonwealth Charter Academy

Creates lifelong learners, thinkers & problem solvers among bright children who may exhibit dyslexia, dysgraphia, ADHD, auditory processing difficulty or other learning differences.

Benchmark’s mission is to prepare its students for success in high school, college and beyond.

A fully accredited public cyber charter school educating PA children in grades K-12. Together with family members and teachers, we tailor a curriculum centered around each learners unique needs and interests.

2107 N. Providence Rd., Media, PA 19063 610-565-374; Benchmarkschool.org

See our ad, p. 23

Brookfield Schools

1009 Haddonfield-Berlin Rd., Cherry Hill, NJ 08034 856-795-8228, ext. 223; Brookfieldschools.org

At three sites, Brookfield serves students ages 5-21 who need intensive behavioral /therapeutic intervention. Brookfield Academy serves high school age (Cherry Hill); Brookfield Elementary serves K-8th grades (Haddon Heights); and Transition to College provides a unique opportunity for high school juniors & seniors (Blackwood). Intensive group & individual counseling, art therapy, cosmetology, horticulture & culinary arts are provided. We offer the following services as needed: speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy and psychiatric support. We offer an extended school year program at the elementary level. All programs are NCASES accredited.

See our ads, pp. 2,29

Camphill Special School

1784 Fairview Rd.. Glenmoore, PA 19343 610-469-9236; Camphillspecialschool.org Boarding & day programs in grades K-12 for children with special needs. Curriculum rich in music, art & drama; variety of therapies offered.

Transition program through age 21. Financial aid. PA-approved Private School. Fully accredited by MSA-CESS & AWSNA.

See our ad, p. 31

Center School

2450 Hamilton Ave., Abington, PA 19001 215-657-2200; Centerschoolpa.org

Center School provides children who learn differently with a personalized education to realize their potential and reshape the way they view themselves and their future.

See our ad, p. 35

One Innovation Way, Harrisburg, PA 17110 717-710-3300; Ccaeducate.me

Devereux

Chester County locations, PA 800-345-1292 Devereux.org

Serving children and adolescents having challenges associated with multiple disabilities.

Effective Learning Environments, LLC

877-228-8981 Eleaba.com

Designs IEPs based on applied behavior analysis & verbal behavior.

Exceptional Children Group, Delaware Dept. of Education

401 Federal St., Dover, DE 19901 302-735-4210 Doe.k12.de.us/Page/2297

Coordinates public education programs for specific disabilities that supplement education provided within school districts.

Garfield Park Academy

PO Box 189, Willingboro, NJ 08046 609-877-4111 Garfieldparkacademy.org

Garfield uses an evidence-based program and serves students ages 5-21 who are emotionally and/or learning challenged and may have multiple disabilities. An extensive state approved vocational program as well as work study is offered, with programs in culinary arts, retail trades, cosmetology, automotive technology, carpentry & horticulture.

The School-to-Career program has a work-study component. Social workers reside in the classrooms and intensive group & individual counseling, speech & language therapy, art therapy, music therapy and family counseling are provided. Parent education classes & an extended school year are also available. Garfield is Middle States Accredited.

See our ads, pp. 2,29

SpecialKids 2018

SSVC0316007

EDUCATION Day, residential, private and selected public schools. Also see the Special Needs School Survey chart, p. 24 and Early Intervention & Preschool, p. 18.

George Crothers Memorial School at CADES

401 Rutgers Ave., Swarthmore, PA 19081 610-328-5955 Cades.org

A licensed special education school that serves children with mild disabilities to medically fragile, ages 3 to 21 years old.

HollyDELL

610 Hollydell Dr., Hurffville, NJ 08080 856-582-5151 Hollydell.org

For more than 65 years, HollyDELL has served students and adults with physical and medical challenges associated with multiple disabilities.

A collaborative team approach is used, ensuring treatment of the whole child as the student strives for levels of independence, all within a safe and nurturing environment. We focus on our students’ abilities through a wide array of individualized services including speech/language/feeding therapy, augmentative communication, physical therapy, sensory integration, mobility training, aquatic therapy, occupational therapy, pottery and music instruction, swimming, vocational training, community-based instruction, behavioral intervention, specialized nursing services and an extended school year program.

See our ads, pp. 2,29

Horizon House Inc., Education Plus Youth

120 S. 30th St., Phila. 19104 215-386-3838; Hhinc.org

Jewish Federation of Greater Phila., Jewish Special Needs Education

NJ Dept. of Ed., Office of Special Ed. PO Box 500, Trenton, NJ 08625 609-292-0147 State.nj.us/njded/specialed

2100 Arch St., Phila., PA 19103 215-832-0500 Jewishphilly.org

Non-denominational Sunday School program for children with special needs.

Larc School

Orchard Friends

1089 Creek Rd., Bellmawr, NJ 08031 856-933-3725; Larcschool.org

Larc School is a non-profit, private special education school created with the sole purpose of providing for the specialized needs of children with disabilities. Renowned for our warm, family-like atmosphere, we strive to meet the needs of all students (ages 3-21 years) and adults (21 years and older) with dignity and respect, and provide opportunities for growth, development, and independence. Located in Bellmawr, New Jersey, we provide services to individuals throughout the South Jersey region-at no cost to the families. Let us share with you our 50 years of experience, excellence, and determination.

Our educational programming provides appropriate challenges focusing on our students’ abilities, not their disabilities. Our teachers utilize research-based teaching techniques and individualized, multi-sensory curriculums that follow all the guidelines of the New Jersey Department of Education. Our Secondary Program provides opportunities for growth and independence in activities of daily living, work readiness skills, and community outings.

See our ads, pp. 2,29

Education, career exploration & life skills for youth with emotional or learning disabilities.

Matheny Medical & Educational Ctr.

Institute on Disabilities at Temple U.

Matheny is licensed as a special hospital and special education school for children with medically complex developmental disabilities.

1755 N. 13th St., Student Center, Room 411S, Phila. 19122 215-204-1356 Temple.edu/instituteondisabilities

Training, technical assistance, services, research & advocacy.

Jewish Community High School of Gratz College

7605 Old York Rd., Melrose Park, PA 19027 215-635-7300, ext. 5 Gratz.edu/jchs An afterschool program for Jewish teens in nine locations.

National Assoc. of Private Special Education Centers

Orchard Friends School educates children with learning differences through a research-based, multi-sensory program in safe, nurturing, small classes. OFS students explore their potential, learn their strengths and find their voices.

Overbrook School for the Blind 6333 Malvern Ave., Phila. 19151 215-877-0313 Obs.org

Early intervention for children birth to age 3 & educational programs for children ages 3-21 who are deaf, have hearing imparments, are blind or visually impaired.

See our ad, p. 31

PA Distance Learning Charter School 2100 Corporate Dr., Wexford, PA 15090 724-933-7300 Padistance.org

Home-based, online charter school that serves students in K-12 across PA.

162 Egypt Rd., Norristown, PA 19403 610-277-0660 Pathwayschool.org

The Pathway School is an approved private school that utilizes research-based interventions to support learning in students with significant learning, executive functioning and mental health needs.

See our ad, p. 23

601 Pennsylvania Ave., Washington, DC 20004 202-434-8225 Napsec.org

Pennsylvania Assoc. of Independent Schools (PAIS); Pennsylvania Assoc. of Private Academic Schools, Inc. (PAPAS)

Advocates access to appropriate private special education programs & services.

78 Washington St.,Morristown, NJ 07960 888-472-3491; Njais.org

Association of private schools.

405 Linden Ave., Riverton, NJ 08077 856-786-1123 Orchardfriends.org

Pathway School

65 Highland Ave., Peapack, NJ 07977 908-234-0011; Matheny.org

NJ Assoc. of Independent Schools

Monitors school district special education programs for age 3+. Provides mediation, arranges hearings & investigate complaints.

37 E. Germantown Pk., Plymouth Mtg, PA 19462 610-567-2960; Paispa.org

Offers listing of independent schools throughout PA.

SPECIAL NEEDS SCHOOLS, SERVICES AND RESOURCES

metrokids.com/specialkids

34 MetroKids.com/SpecialKids

= Bilingual Service

= Evaluations

= Support

= Vocational Training

EDUCATION Day, residential, private and selected public schools. Also see the Special Needs School Survey chart, p. 24 and Early Intervention & Preschool, p. 18.

Pennsylvania Dept. of Education, Bureau of Special Education Consult Line

Royer-Greaves School for Blind 118 S. Valley Road, Paoli, PA 19301 610-644-1810 Royer-Greaves.org

333 Market St., Harrisburg, PA 17126 717-783-6788; Education.pa.gov

Info on special ed regulations & policies, school concerns & procedural safeguards.

Pennsylvania School for the Deaf

100 W. School House Ln., Phila. 19144 215-951-4700; Psd.org

Provides a bilingual language environment (ASL & spoken English) for students who are deaf & hard of hearing.

Pennsylvania Training & Technical Assistance Network (PaTTAN), Bureau of Special Education, PA Dept. of Ed.

333 Tecnology Dr., Malvern, PA 19355 800-441-3215 3190 William Pitt Way, Pittsburgh, PA 15238 800-446-5607 Pattan.net Database of PA resources, programs & training.

Royer-Greaves School for Blind provides a nurturing and supportive learning environment for children with complex educational needs related to low-incidence disabilities, including blind/visual impairment, intellectual disability, and multiple disabilities. Our highly trained staff provides specialized individualized instruction, therapies, and attention to maximize students’ functional independence at home, school, and in the community. Students and their families are understood and valued.

See our ad, p. 23

SAT Services for Students with Disabilities PO Box 7504, London, KY 40742 212-713-8333 Collegeboard.com/ssd

Testing service & SAT services for students with disabilities.

Springtime School

170 Pheasant Rd., Suite 100, Newtown, PA 18940 215-579-0670 Springtimeschool.org

Potential, Inc.

170 Pheasant Rd., Suite 100, Newtown, PA 18940 215-579-0670; Potentialinc.org

Potential is a non-profit organization that seeks to assist children and adults with autism to reach their full educational, social and emotional potential. We utilize current research in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) to improve communication, behavior, toileting, social skills and more.

See our ad, p. 17

Project Child Find, Office of Special Education, NJ Dept. of Education

The Springtime School is a licensed, private school that was developed to meet the needs of elementary and high school aged children.

All students have a diagnosis on the autism spectrum. Students are taught in a year-round setting with one-to-one attention, using the principles of ABA. The program is overseen by certified Special Education Teachers, as well as Board Certified Behavior Analysts. Located on-site at Potential Inc. (our parent company), we teach grades 1-12 (to age 21).

So Love Autistic Center

433 Burmont Rd., Drexel Hill, PA 19026 610-446-3680 SoLoveCenter.org

So Love Autistic Center is a blended educational and therapeutic program for early autism learners, ages 2-7 yrs. Our program provides structured, play-based strategies to educate within a natural learning environment. We address all skill domains to support emotional, social and behavioral progression.

See our ad, p. 21

St. John of God Community Services (ADS)

1145 Delsea Dr., Westville Grove, NJ 08093 856-848-4700 Adsschool.org

Archbishop Damiano School is a non-sectarian, New Jersey State Department of Education approved private school for students with severe to moderate developmental disabilities, including intellectual, physical and complex medical conditions, ranging in age from three to twenty-one. ADS provides a dynamic educational program, which starts with the development of communication skills, social interactions, functional academic, work-related skills, fine and gross motor skills, specialized daily living skills and transitional programming.

See our ads, pp. 2,29

Temple University Disability Resources & Services

100 Ritter Annex, 1301 Cecil B. Moore Ave., Phila. 19122; 215-204-1280 Temple.edu/disability Provides support to Temple students with disabilities.

See our ad, p. 17

PO Box 500, Trenton, NJ 08625 800-322-8174 State.nj.us/njded/specialed/childfind

Free referral service assists in identifying children ages birth-21 with a delay or disability.

Prompt & Play

5157 W. Woodmill Dr. Wilmington, DE 19808 302-691-5658; Promptandplay.com

Prompt & Play provides a safe place for children and young adults to develop social and daily living skills through exploration and direction. Services for ages 3-adult include social and life skills groups, camps, individual sessions, transition programs, music and art groups and much more.

See our ad, p. 55

Reading ASSIST Institute

Center School teaches students with language based learning differences.

Our personalized approach builds confidence and skills so that students are prepared for high school and beyond!

100 W. 10th St., Wilmington, DE 19801 888-311-1156 1002 Mattlind Way, Milford, DE 19963 302-422-2299 Readingassist.org

Dyslexia

Executive Function Disorder

Tutoring services for struggling readers.

= Bilingual Service

= Evaluations

Dysgraphia

Dyscalculia

ADHD

ADD

Auditory Processing Disorder

Abington, PA * (215) 657-2200 * www.centerschoolpa.org = Support

= Vocational Training

MetroKids.com/SpecialKids 35

EDUCATION Day, residential, private and selected public schools. Also see the Special Needs School Survey chart, p. 24 and Early Intervention & Preschool, p. 18.

Valley Forge Educational Services 1777 N. Valley Rd. Malvern, PA 19355 610-296-6725 vfes.net

Valley Forge Educational Services (VFES) offers a continuum of educational, summer and employment-related programs for people with disabilities. The hallmark of our programs is our collaborative and holistic approach to each child, adolescent and adult, recognizing his or her unique abilities and needs through team efforts. Individuals of all ages come to learn, share, appreciate and respect one another while developing skills necessary for success.

We are committed to helping students and participants develop a strong sense of self-worth to realize their value as contributing members of their communities.

See our ad, p. 23

theVillage

The Vanguard School

1777 N. Valley Rd., Malvern, PA 19355; 610-296-6725 Vanguardschool-pa.org

The Vanguard School provides comprehensive special education and related clinical services with a unique focus on the individual student and his or her readiness for life. The school offers an integrated academic, social and daily living skills approach within a supportive environment where the goal is for each student to become a contributing member of the community. The school is a Pennsylvania Approved Private School serving students, 4–21 years of age, with exceptionalities including autism, emotional disturbance, speech-language impairment, specific learning disability and other health impairment.

452 S. Roberts Rd., Rosemont, PA 19010 610-525-5400 Village1877.org

Offers programs during after-school and summer hours for children at risk.

We’ve Got What You’re

L

KING for

.com

See our ad, p. 23

EVALUATION Diagnosis and assessment of motor, educational and behavioral development.

Also see Medical and Professional Services.

Advancing Opportunities

Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia

Hope Springs Equestrian Therapy

Albert Einstein Medical Center

Children’s Specialized Hospital

See Medical

See Medical

Kennedy Krieger Institute

Arc Alliance, The

Comprehensive Autism Center at Delaware Valley Children’s Center

Main Line Health, Bryn Mawr Hospital/DuPont Children’s Health Program

See Advocacy

See Organizations: All/Multiple Disabilities

Arc of Chester County, The

See Organizations: All/Multiple Disabilities

Arc of Delaware County, The

See Organizations: All/Multiple Disabilities

Arc of Pennsylvania, The

See Organizations: All/Multiple Disabilities

Arc of Philadelphia

See Organizations: All/Multiple Disabilities

Archway Programs: Step By Step See Early Intervention & Preschool

Autism Delaware - See Advocacy Bayada Pediatrics - See Care Bristol-Myers Squibb Children’s Hospital, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital See Medical

Center for Autism

See Early Intervention & Preschool

Child Guidance Resource Center See our ad pg. 55

ChildLink: Public Health Mgmt. Corp.

See Medical

See Recreation See Medical

See Early Intervention & Preschool

See Medical

Crozer-Chester Medical Center See Medical

Melmark School, The - See Residential

Deborah Heart & Lung Center

Mid-Atlantic Behavioral Health Children’s Services - See Medical

Delaware Division of Public Health, Child Development Watch

National Federation of the Blind

See Medical

See Organizations: Visual Impairments

See Early Intervention & Preschool

Division of Developmental Disabilities, NJ Dept. of Human Services See Government

See Early Intervention & Preschool

Education and Behavior Consulting – EdBeCo, Inc. Elwyn SEEDS

See Early Intervention & Preschool

Freedom Valley Disability Center See Advocacy

484-454-8787; nextstepscenter.com

Autism assessments, diagnostic services across the lifespan, independent educational evaluations, and general psychological assessments info@nextstepscenter.com (a division of Child Guidance Resource Centers)

Early Intervention Office, Children’s Outreach Services Program

See Early Intervention & Preschool

Next Steps Developmental and Neuropsychological Services Center

See our ad pg. 55

Pennsylvania Association of Intermediate Units See Early Intervention & Preschool

SPIN Inc.

See Early Intervention & Preschool

Via of the Lehigh Valley

See Early Intervention & Preschool

Friends Hospital

Weisman Children’s - See Medical

See Medical

See Early Intervention & Preschool

36 MetroKids.com/SpecialKids

= Bilingual Service

= Evaluations

= Support

= Vocational Training

FUNDING Organizations providing financial assistance or information. Also see Government.

Angel Fund, The

Fund It Forward

301-834-7252; Theangelfund.net

PO Box 457, Wexford, PA 15090 914-357-5437; Funditfwd.org

Helps fund families of special needs children.

Anne & Allegra Ford Thomas Scholarships Ncld.org/scholarships-and-awards

Provide kids with adaptive equipment.

Athletes Helping Athletes

888-566-5221 Roadrunnersports.com/rrs/content/ content1.jsp?contentId=5600004

Scholarships for students pursuing a degree in special ed. & a senior with a language-related learning difference.

Purchases adaptive equipment for families.

Shire ADHD Scholarship Program

Help a Little One Foundation

1330 Boylston St., Chestnut Hill, MA 02467 Halo.org

Provides hand cycles to kids with disabilities.

Purchases equipment for children with neurological impairments.

ATI Foundation

790 Remington Blvd., Bolingbrook, IL 60440 855-692-8478; Atipt.com/ati-foundation Offers medical resources and funding for DE and PA kids with physical disabilities.

Independence Blue Cross Caring Foundation, CHIP Program

1901 Market St., 12th Fl., Phila. 19103-1480 800-464-5437 www.ibx.com/individuals/find_plan/ low_income/chip/index.html

Autism Care & Treatment Today 509 Marin Street, Suite 123, Thousand Oaks, CA 91360 818-340-4010; Act-today.org

Insurance for children who do not have Medicaid or private coverage.

Gives grants that help support kids on the spectrum.

Jack’s Place for Autism Foundation

17360 W. 12 Mile Rd., Southfield, MI 48076 248-443-7427; Jacksplaceforautism.org

Capital Venture

888-556-2863; Cvfundraising.com

Full-service fundraising consulting firm offering development services to nonprofits.

Provides services, grants and scholarships for families with kids on the autism spectrum.

Catastrophic Illness in Children Relief Fund Comm., NJ Dept. of Human Svcs.

Johnny’s Rainbow Foundation

PO Box 728, Trenton, NJ 08625-0728 609-292-0600 Nj.gov/humanservices/cicrf/home

PO Box 326, Springfield, PA 19064 Facebook.com/JohnnysRainbowFoundation Therapy, education, counseling & aid for Delaware Co. families with special needs.

Helps NJ families fund medical expenses for children.

The Kiddie Pool

15 S. 2nd St, Dolgeville, NY 13329 800-371-2778 Adaptivemall.com/kiddiepool1.html

See our ad, p. 40

Central Illinois Special Needs Assistance Program

Helps families raise funds for adaptive equipment.

971 E. Monroe St., Morton IL 61550 309-235-2385 Cisnap.org/about-us.html

Lindsay Foundation

First Hand Foundation

Assists families with funds for medical treatment, therapies and equipment.

Funds educational equipment for kids ages 3-21.

2800 Rockcreek Pkwy., Kansas City, MO 64117 816-201-1569; Firsthandfoundation.org

Fred J. Epstein Youth Achievement Award Smartkidswithld.org/wp-content/ uploads/2015/10/2016-YAA-form.pdf

PO Box 937, Littleton, CO 80160-0937 303-798-2342; Friendsofman.org

4241 N. Hwy. 1, Melbourne, FL 32935 321-506-2707; Themorganproject.org

Volunteers support parents caring for children with Leukodystrophy.

New Jersey FamilyCare

$1,000 scholarship for students with a learning disability or ADHD. Jan. deadline.

Friends of Man

PO Box 1073, Huffman, TX 77336 281-399-2937 Facebook.com/TheLindsayFoundation/

M.O.R.G.A.N. Project, The

Nonprofit that funds medical costs not covered by insurance or healthcare.

100 American Metro Blvd., Ste. 105 Hamilton, NJ 08619; 800-701-0710 Njfamilycare.org

Federal & state-funded health insurance program for kids & low-income families.

= Evaluations

888-815-8720 Shireadhdscholarship.com/us/ defaultclosed.aspx

25 $2,000 scholarships for college-bound US residents with ADHD. March deadline.

Social Security, Supplemental Security Income Program

3400 Aramingo Ave., Phila. 19134 800-772-1213 Ssa.gov/benefits/disability/apply-child.html Children may receive monthly payments based on disability, income & resources.

Special Kids Fund

111 Autumn Rd., Lakewood, NJ 08701 732-397-5056; Specialkidsfund.org

Helps families get access to handicappedadapted vehicles.

Travis Roy Foundation

101 Huntington Avenue, Suite 520 Boston, MA 02199 Travisroyfoundation.org

Provides equipment to kids with spinal cord injuries.

United Health Care Children’s Foundation

PO Box 41, Minneapolis, MN 55440-0041 855-698-4223; Uhccf.org Provides funding for medical costs that are not covered by health insurance.

United Healthcare Community Plan

PO Box 29675, Hot Springs, AR 71903-9802 800-905-8671; Uhccomunityplan.com Coordinates special needs health services for medical assistance & CHIP recipients.

Wheelchairs 4 Kids

1976 S. Pinellas Ave., Tarpon Springs, FL 34689 727-946-0963; Wheelchairs4kids.org Provides wheelchairs & assistive devices.

Wheel to Walk Foundation

PO Box 20146, Portland, OR 97294 503-257-1401; Wheeltowalk.com

Helps children obtain medical equipment or services not covered by insurance.

Zane’s Foundation Inc.

PO Box 1642, Stow, OH 44224 330-677-9263 Zanesfoundation.org Funding assistance.

Funding for equipment or medical procedures.

= Bilingual Service

74 Poplar Grove Ln., Matthews, VA 23109 800-430-1320; Mosssociety.org

Giving Angels Foundation

1461 Golden Dr., Dresher, PA 19025 267-332-1320; Givingangelsfoundation.org

College scholarships for students with LD.

P. Buckley Moss Foundation Scholarships & Awards

= Support

= Vocational Training

MetroKids.com/SpecialKids 37

GOVERNMENT Federal, state and county agencies, including the entry points to receive many government-funded special needs services.

NATIONAL PROGRAMS

National Institute on Disability, Independent Living & Rehabilitation Research, U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services

330 C St. SW, Washington, DC 20201 202-401-4634 Acl.gov/about-acl/about-national-institute-disability-independent-living-and-rehabilitation-research Generates & promotes improved options for disabled persons.

Office of Special Education & Rehabilitative Services (OSERS), U.S. Dept. of Education

400 Maryland Ave. SW, Wash., DC 20202 202-245-7468 Ed.gov/about/offices/list/osers/index.html Research & activities promoting inclusion, employment & independent living.

DELAWARE

Delaware Division of Prevention and Behavioral Health Services

1825 Faukland Rd., Wilmington, DE 19805 302-633-2600 Kids.delaware.gov

Early invention, effective treatments & support for families.

Division for the Visually Impaired, Dept. of Health and Social Services

1901 N. DuPont Hwy., New Castle, DE 19720 302-255-9800 Dhss.delaware.gov/dhss/dvi

Ed. programs for the blind & visually impaired.

NEW JERSEY

Department of Health Early Intervention System

PO Box 364, Trenton, NJ 08625 888-653-4463 Nj.gov/health/fhs/eis/index.shtml

Assists families with complex, long-term medical & developmental disabilities. Primarily serves children 0-3 years old.

Division of Developmental Disabilities, Dept. of Human Services 333 S. Warren St., Trenton, NJ 08608 800-832-9173 State.nj.us/humanservices/ddd/home

Coordinates & provides services for individuals with autism, intellectual disabilities, cerebral palsy, spina bifida & traumatic brain injuries.

Division of the Deaf & Hard of Hearing, Dept. of Human Services PO Box 074, Trenton, NJ 08625 800-792-8339 State.nj.us/humanservices/ddhh/index.html Information, referral & interpretive referral service.

Service = Evaluations = Support 38= Bilingual MetroKids.com/SpecialKids

Div. of Disability Svcs., Dept. of Human Svcs.

11A Quaker Bridge Plaza, Mercerville, NJ 08619 888-285-3036 State.nj.us/humanservices/dds

Downloadable, indexed guide of resources for those with disabilities.

New Jersey Commission for the Blind & Visually Impaired 2201 Rte. 38 E., Cherry Hill, NJ 08002 856-482-3700 State.nj.us/humanservices/cbvi

Services in education, employment, independence & eye health.

New Jersey State Library: Talking Books and Braille Center

2300 Stuyvesant Ave., Trenton, NJ 08618 800-792-8322 Njstatelib.org

Lends recorded books, Braille & large print, tape players at no cost to eligible NJ residents.

PENNSYLVANIA

Child Care Information Service

1500 S. Columbus Blvd., Phila. 19147 Dhs.pa.gov/citizens/findfacilsandlocs/ childcareinformationservices/ Bucks Co.: 215-348-1283 Chester Co.: 610-344-5717 Delaware Co.: 610-713-2115 Montgomery County, 610-278-3707 Phila. (Ctr. City & South): 215-271-0433 Phila. (North): 215-763-0100 Phila. (Northeast): 215-333-1560 Phila. (Northwest): 215-842-4820 Phila. (South & West): 215-382-4762 PA agency administers child care subsidies for qualifying families and maintains a database of providers.

Dept. of Behavioral Health & Intellectual Disability Services 701 Market St., Phila, PA 19106 215-685-5400 Dbhids.org

Provides behavioral health & intellectual disability services & support for birth-21 yrs.

Dept. of Mental Health / Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, Dept. of Developmental Programs Harrisburg, PA 888-565-9435 Dhs.pa.gov/provider/developmental programs

Chester Co.:

601 Westtown Rd., West Chester, PA 19380 610-344-6265 Chesco.org/615/Mental-Health Intellectual-Dev-Disabiliti

Delaware Co.:

20 S. 69th St., Upper Darby, PA 19082 610-713-2400 Delcohsa.org/administrativeentity.html

Penn Foundation for Intellectual Disabilities

807 Lawn Ave., Sellersville, PA 18960 215-257-1183 Pennfoundation.org/servicesprograms/mental-retardation-services/ supports-coordination.html

Central points for admission into the PA support system for intellectual disabilities.

Montgomery County Behavioral Health /Developmental Disabilities Dept.

1430 DeKalb St., Norristown, PA 19401 610-278-3642 Mhmrda.montcopa.org

Mental health counseling & support services; developmental disabilities training & vocational programs, employment services and early intervention assessment & therapies.

Office of Child Development and Early Learning, SE Region Bureau of Certification, Dept. of Human Services 333 Market St., Harrisburg, PA 17101 800-692-7462 Dhs.pa.gov/learnaboutdhs/dhsorganization/officeofchilddevelopmentandearlylearning/

PA licensing office for child day care in homes & centers.

Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, Dept. of Labor & Industry 444 N. 3rd. St., Phila. 19123 215-560-5700 Dli.state.pa.us

Helps Philadelphians with disabilities prepare for, obtain & maintain employment.

Phila. Commission on Human Relations and the Fair Housing Commission 601 Walnut St., Phila. 19106 215-686-4670 Phila.gov/humanrelations

Enforces the ordinance prohibiting discrimination in employment, housing, public accommodations & services.

Special Kids Network, Dept. of Health 800-986-4550

Toll-free call center provides info & referrals

Special needs schools, services and resources

metrokids.com/specialkids

= Vocational Training = Transportation = Bilingual Service = Evaluations

MetroKids.com/SpecialKids 1 = Support = Vocational Training

Legal

Navigating Complex Special Education Laws

By Debra Wallace All parents want to find a school that has a supportive environment in which their child can to thrive.

Endrew F. vs. the Douglas County School District

The parents of one Colorado student tested federal special education laws when they withdrew their son from public school – placing him in a private school – and sued their school district for what they called “inadequate educational progress.” They also sought reimbursement for the cost of the other school.

They cited the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), a federal law that “requires public schools to provide students with disabilities a free and appropriate education.”

Federal law also provides that “if a school cannot meet the educational needs of a disabled student, the student’s parents can place the child in private school and seek reimbursement of tuition and related expenses.”

On Aug. 25, 2015, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit – in Endrew F. vs. the Douglas County School District – ruled against the family being reimbursed by the Denver school district, finding that “the child received some educational benefit that is enough to satisfy the district’s obligation to provide a free appropriate public education.”

The case went on to the Supreme Court, which decided on March 22, 2017, to uphold the basic provisions of IDEA and, some would argue, strengthen it. In a unanimous opinion written by Chief Justice John Roberts, the Court vacated the judgment of the 10th Circuit court and held that the proper standard under the IDEA “is markedly more demanding than

SpecialKids 2018

the ‘merely more than de minimis’ test applied by the Tenth Circuit.”

A federal judge ruled Feb. 12, 2018 that the school district must reimburse the parents for the cost of private school.

A meaningful IEP

Erika Tross, a Delaware education and family law attorney, believes that the Endrew F. decision put schools on notice that they can no longer allow children to pass from grade to grade without a meaningful Individualized Education Plan (IEP).

“Those schools are going to have to up their game,” she says, “by tailoring their IEPs, providing challenging objectives and giving the children meaningful opportunities to gain an education.”

She says that one of the goals of the IDEA is for children to become “functioning and productive members of society.”

After the Endrew decision, schools need to make sure that their IEPs are helping students to be able to do that.

“Parents need to remain active in the IEP process, know their child’s limits and capabilities, and make sure the IEP is tailored to the needs of the individual student,” she continues. “It is the parents’ and the schools’ responsibility to ensure that the child is making progress in light of his or her individual circumstances.”

Tross never likes to recommend suing as a first step and believes mediation is a better option than heading straight to a courtroom. “If you can do this without an attorney, it can sometimes be more effective,” says Tross. “But if you feel you are still not being heard, then get an attorney to help you through the process.”

When the IEP process doesn’t work Attorney Craig David Becker practic-

es education law and criminal defense in Pennsylvania and New Jersey from his offices in Bensalem, PA, and Mount Laurel, NJ. Becker has personal experience with navigating a school district. He was diagnosed with a reading disability, and was not expected to finish school. Instead, his parents pushed his school to provide proper help, and he attended law school to become an attorney in 2003.

Becker’s goal as an education attorney is to “give the child a fair chance at life.

“First, I will encourage the parents to get this done in the school district, but if it is not taking place, I would recommend placement in an out-of-the-district or private school program,” he continues.

A major part of this process is figuring out what the child needs and what the school district lacks.

“For example,” he said, “if the public school has a child with autism and does not have trained aides, or skilled speech and language therapists, it is not going to be realistic for the district to implement a beneficial program, and in some instances, it may be easier, and more cost effective, to fund a program out of the district or at a private school.”

Evaluation

Becker cited another appeals court ruling — Ridgewood Board of Education vs. N.E. for M.E. The ruling, handed down March 30, 1999, applies to the Third Circuit Court of Appeals, and recognized that a student “needs to get a meaningful benefit from his education, and that it should be gauged in relation to the child’s potential.” (The ruling pertained to PA, NJ, DE and the Virgin Islands.)

Continued on next page MetroKids.com/SpecialKids 39

Legal He explained that the child does not have to be exactly on grade level, but the parents should examine if there is a significant difference between the child’s ability and what the child is achieving.

Becker stresses that the law requires school districts to look at many factors when determining ability, including factors beyond IQ testing. He says that many issues impact IQ test results, such as the type of test, test environment and the student’s emotional state.

“If parents question an educational evaluation they should have the evaluation reviewed by an attorney and/or educational expert to determine if the district properly performed the evaluation,” he says. “I often find significant flaws in educational evaluations.”

Alternative placement

Kathleen Smookler, head of school for ATG Learning Academy in Doylestown, said that one of the most important questions raised from the Endrew F. ruling is: “Who sets the education guidelines to base the decisions on?”

“There is no ‘one size fits all’ in special education,” she says, “and we need to respect everybody’s individuality.”

During the past 10 years, an estimated half of her 200 students, in first grade through high school, have come to the school because of a law suit with a local school district, and Smookler realizes what a major ordeal it is to document everything. “I have tremendous respect for the parents who go through this,” she says.

Often, parents have sued because the cognitive test scores are extremely low, and the district’s defense is that the student can’t

learn. “But, when we get these same students in the right environment, we discover that they can thrive with the right curriculum.”

Expert tips for parents of special education students: • • •

• • • • • •

Know your rights.

Be diligent and follow through with all of the information you receive from the school.

Ask: How is the child’s instructional program being implemented – individual instruction or a group? Is the teacher certified? How many times a week is the class? Does this follow the program’s recommendations?

You are getting reports and report cards; but, what do they mean? Also, where is your child in relation to his or her peers?

Ask: What are the school team, district and IEP goals doing to bring your child up to grade level?

Attend the IEP meetings so you can make sure you understand everything that is going on. If you feel you are not being heard, seek an advocate.

Question everything. Find out who is setting the standards.

Make sure your child has the correct testing and evaluations.

Seek smaller classrooms and individualized attention. If a child is not learning, it is incumbent upon the team to find a new effective approach to help the child.

Debra Wallace is a freelance writer.

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LEGAL Federal, state and county legal agencies, advocating for special needs services.

American Bar Association, Commission on Mental and Physical Disability Law 1050 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20036 202-662-1570 Abanet.org/disability

Promotes justice & the rule of law for persons with mental, physical & sensory disabilities and their full & equal participation in the legal profession.

Disability Rights Network of PA

301 Chestnut St., Harrisburg, PA 17101 800-692-7443 1315 Walnut St., Phila. 19107 215-238-8070 Drnpa.org

Free legal services to people facing disability-based discrimination.

33 E. Euclid Ave., Haddonfield, NJ 08033 856-795-2121 1717 Arch St., Phila. 19103 215-963-3300 300 Delaware Ave., Wilmington, DE 19801 302-777-4350 Archerlaw.com Specializes in estate planning for & guardianship of children with special needs.

Community Legal Aid Society, Inc.

100 W. 10th St., Wilmington, DE 19801 302-575-0660 Declasi.org

Pennsylvania Client Assistance Program

State-based advocate for access to equal public education under state & federal laws.

Advocacy for people with disabilities who have employment-based issues.

60 Park Place, Newark, NJ 07102 973-624-1815 Edlawcenter.org

1424 Chestnut St., Phila. 19102 215-981-3700; Clsphila.org

Seeks to ensure that all PA children have access to a quality public education.

Help line for individuals who are uninsured & qualify for public medical assistance.

1230 County Line Rd., Bryn Mawr, PA 19010 610-922-4200 Mykidslawyer.com

Special education attorneys. IEPs, 504s, due process, special needs trusts.

123 Chestnut St., Phila. 19106 215-625-3990 Phlp.org

Public Interest Law Center of Phila.

1709 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy., Phila. 19103 215-627-7100 Pilcop.org

Non-governmental agency. Disabilities Project specializes in class-action suits.

Wrightslaw

Wrightslaw.com

Information about special education law & advocacy. Directory for evaluators, advocates & attorneys at Yellowpagesforkids.com.

Free legal advocacy for low-income families with seriously disabled children. Branches in North Phila. & Center City.

Become an

1515 Market St., Phila. 19102 888-745-2357 Equalemployment.org

Pennsylvania Health Law Project

Frankel & Kershenbaum, LLC

Community Legal Services of Phila.

Monitors Congress’ handling of issues that affect people with disabilities.

Education Law Center, PA

Sussex Co. Office:

Free legal services for persons with disabilities.

National Disability Rights Network

Education Law Center, NJ

Advocates civil & legal rights of NJ citizens with disabilities.

Kent Co. Office:

20151 Office Cir., Georgetown, DE 19947 302-856-0038 302-856-3742 (disabilities program)

Free legal services & referrals for low-income individuals with physical disabilities and to the deaf and hard of hearing.

820 1st St. NE, Washington, DC 20002 202-408-9514 Ndrn.org

1315 Walnut St., Phila. 19107 215-238-6970 Elc-pa.org

840 Walker Rd., Dover, DE 19904 302-674-8500 302-674-8503 (disabilities program)

1513 Race St., Phila. 19102 215-587-3350 Legalclinicforthedisabled.org

210 S. Broad St., Trenton, NJ 08608 800-922-7233 Drnj.org

Disability Rights New Jersey

Archer & Greiner, PC

Legal Clinic for the Disabled, Inc.

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Medical

PARTNERING WITH YOUR

DOCTOR

By Amy Kelly We all want the best care for our children, and a crucial part of good care for any child is finding a doctor that is knowledgeable, experienced and compassionate. This is especially important for kids with special needs, who often require more doctor visits and more medical attention.

My own daughter, Annie, has been to dozens of doctors and specialists in her 15 years because she has autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other diagnoses. She was diagnosed just before the age of 2 and I knew immediately that I needed to find a good doctor. But more than that, I quickly learned that I needed to work closely with our pediatrician in order to make the most of her appointments and her care.

Here are four tips to foster a positive relationship with your child’s doctor:

1

Prepare a list of questions and concerns. Often, there are so many issues and worries to address when you learn your child has special needs that it can sometimes be overwhelming. I always kept a folder with Annie’s most important medical information, any new test results or recommendations and a sticky pad of questions that I compiled since the prior appointment. I brought this folder to each appointment.

This allowed me to fill him in on her most recent therapies and medical concerns, and gave me the opportunity to ask the specific questions I saved up for him.

2

Get to know the office staff. The nurses, physician assistants and administrators who assist the doctor are incredibly important people. If you take the time to get to know them, and allow them to know your family, they can really make a difference in the quality of the appointment. We used to send our Christmas card to their office every year with a note from our family. Sometimes, I’d even drop by with a fruit basket or something unexpected to just say ‘thank you.’ This went a long way in showing them our family’s appreciation of their care for our children, but also in helping them to remember us!

3

Take a “test run” or two. Even from a very young age, Annie knew when we were going to the doctor. She would begin to cry and tantrum when we turned onto the street

42 MetroKids.com/SpecialKids

where the doctor was located. She had a lot of anxiety about going, which quickly turned into my own anxiety as well – dreading the upcoming appointment. Our pediatrician and I worked together to plan visits for Annie that were actually pleasant.

To begin, Annie would go in, sit in the waiting room for a few minutes and be called back to the room. The doctor would pop by and say hi, and then Annie would get a prize of some kind. The next time, we would extend the wait a little longer, and let the doctor listen to her heart and check her ears. Then Annie would get another prize. Over time, Annie realized that her doctor was actually nice and fun, and not someone to be feared. Now, Annie feels very comfortable with her doctor.

4

Speak up if you aren’t sure of something. True partnership means that both the parents and the doctor feel free to ask important questions of each other to ensure the best decisions are made. This means two things: giving truthful and complete answers to the doctor and feeling comfortable to respectfully ask questions of your doctor This sort of open collaboration allows for both the doctor and caregiver to make appropriate medical decisions together, without feeling judged or worried about repercussions.

Your relationship with your child’s doctor is essential to making sure that your child gets the attentive, informed and comprehensive care that she deserves. By investing time strengthening that relationship, together you and your child’s doctor can help your child to thrive.

By Bradley Dyer, MD Pediatrics often requires a level of patience and care that is uncharacteristic of other specialties. However, unique challenges arise when a patient with developmental disabilities enters an office. The anxiety of children with special needs is not the same as other children. They need a step-by-step understanding of how the office works, and what will happen during their appointment in order to feel comfortable. Above all, doctors must gain trust so they not only can provide the highest level of medical care, but also become an ally and friend to the child and parents.

In finding treatment for children with special needs, here are four key things to look for in a doctor.

SpecialKids 2018

Medical

The experts in orthopaedic care for kids

1

Takes time to listen. This may sound obvious, but it is

invaluable. And it’s not just about listening. Does the doctor schedule enough time to have a conversation and to conduct a thorough examination when needed? Does the doctor ask questions to clarify what you and your child are seeing and experiencing, and carefully listen to the responses?

2

Asks questions. Does the doctor ask you and your child about experiences and daily routines, education, caregivers, aides, etc. to gauge our child’s level of cognition and function. While autism is a diagnosis, it’s unlike other medical diagnoses, such as diabetes or asthma, where our focus is relatively narrow and standard. One family may have issues feeding their child, another may have problems with physicality, another with education.

3

Communicates and is transparent. The doctor

should address your child, even from a young age, directly and in an age-appropriate manner, using her name and avoiding “baby talk.” If your child is hyperactive or stimming (e.g., repeating physical movements or sounds), the doctor should act as if he is sitting quietly and appropriately.

A doctor must remain calm, speak softly and allow your child several minutes to warm up to her before attempting any sort of physical examination. During the exam, I like to speak with the patient the entire time, complimenting him on how well he is doing in the office, and narrating what I am doing and why. I almost always finish the exam by complimenting the patient and thanking him for letting me perform the exam. I also say what I found. While not always successful the first time, an approach that focuses on communication and transparency, repeated consistently, should result in optimum comfort and success.

4

Is accommodating. Your doctor should be extremely accommodating including with forms, appointment times, letters of medical necessity and phone calls to other specialists.

Amy Kelly is Devereux Advanced Behavioral’s Health Director of Family and Community Services. Bradley J. Dyer, MD practices in Exton, PA at All Star Pediatrics.

SpecialKids 2018

215-430-4000

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MEDICAL Hospitals, rehabilitation centers, doctors and dentists that treat children with special needs.

DENTISTS

Armstrong Pediatric Dental

7 E. Main St., Moorestown, NJ 08057 856-235-0415; Armstrongpediatricdental.com Specialized training that includes children with special needs.

See our ad, p. 45

Brooke Glen Behavioral Hospital

Devereux PA — Devereux Children’s Behavioral Health Center

7170 Lafayette Ave., Ft. Washington, PA 19034 215-641-5404; Brookeglenhospital.com

655 Sugartown Rd., Malvern, PA 19355 800-935-6789; Devereuxpa.org

Inpatient acute psychiatric hospital serving children and adolescents ages 6-18.

Provides services for adolescents.

Center for Autism Research at CHOP

Einstein Medical Center Montgomery

Delaware State Dental Society

3535 Market St., Phila. 19104 267-426-7540; Research.chop.edu/car

Membership society for DE dentists; referrals for patients with disabilities.

Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia

559 W. Germantown Pike, East Norriton, PA 19403 484-622-1000 Einstein.edu/locations/einsteinmedical-center-montgomery

North Penn Dental Arts

One of the world’s leading pediatric hospitals & research facilities.

Friends Hospital

200 Continental Dr., Newark, DE 19713 302-368-7634 Delawarestatedentalsociety.org

1570 Sumneytown Pike, Lansdale, PA 19446 215-361-2040; Northpenndental.com Dentistry for patients with special needs.

Southern Dental Society of New Jersey 24 E. Main St., Marlton, NJ 08053 856-768-7786; Southerndental.org

Referrals for NJ residents with disabilities. Donated and homebound services.

Special Smiles, Ltd.

2301 E. Allegheny Ave., Phila. 19134 267-639-6250; Specialsmilesltd.com

Provides comprehensive dental care under general anesthesia for the special needs community.

Special Touch Dentistry

240 Geiger Rd., Phila. 19115 215-508-4200; Cavitybusters.com

Dental service for patients with special needs.

HOME HEALTH CARE

American Academy of Pediatrics, PA Chapter; 1400 N. Providence Rd.,

Media, PA 19063; 484-446-3000 Statewide medical home program.

Specialists in adaptive auto seating.

HOSPITALS, REHABILITATION & MEDICAL CENTERS

Children with and without autism are needed to take part in research studies.

34th St. & Civic Center Blvd., Phila. 19104 800-879-2467; Chop.edu

4641 Roosevelt Blvd., Phila. 19124 800-889-0548; Friendshospital.com

Children’s Rehab Hospital at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital

Programs & services for people with behavioral & emotional health problems.

111 S. 11th St., Phila. 19107 215-955-6000; Jeffersonhospital.org

For children birth-age 1 with congenital or acquired illnesses or disabilities.

Hampton Behavioral Health Center 650 Rancocas Rd., Westampton Township, NJ 08060 800-603-6767; Hamptonhospital.com

Children’s Specialized Hospital 150 New Providence Rd., Mountainside, NJ 07092 888-244-5373 Childrens-specialized.org

A private behavioral health care & counseling center.

Holy Redeemer Hospital & Medical Center, Pediatric Rehabilitation

Therapy, evaluation, fragile medical day care, psychological & rehabilitative services.

1648 Huntingdon Pike, Meadowbrook, PA 19046 215-947-3000; Holyredeemer.com

ChildWay

607 E. Main St., Lansdale, PA 19446 215-362-4950; Childway.org

ChildWay is a personalized, home-like setting providing individualized care to meet the special medical needs of each child exclusively.

Crozer-Chester Medical Center

1 Medical Center Blvd., Chester, PA 19013 610-447-2000; Crozer.org Hospital with developmental pediatrics.

Pediatric rehabilitation program includes speech, occupational & physical therapy.

Comprehensive therapy & rehabilitation services.

Horsham Clinic, The Children’s Unit 722 E. Butler Pike, Ambler, PA 19002 800-237-4447 Horshamclinic.com Psychiatric hospital with evaluations & services for ages 4-18 with severe behavioral problems.

Albert Einstein Medical Center

Crozer-Keystone Health System: Women & Children’s Health Services

JFK Johnson Rehabilitation Institute

Serves individuals with developmental disabilities, ADHD & learning disabilities.

Advocacy, case management & referrals for children birth-18.

Therapy for many types of developmental & physical disabilities.

5501 Old York Rd., Phila., PA 19141 800-346-7834 Einstein.edu/locations

Belmont Behavioral Hospital

4200 Monument Rd., Phila. 19131 855-653-3520; Belmontbehavioral.com

Psychiatric hospital that treats mental health & addiction.

Bristol-Myers Squibb Children’s Hospital, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital

200 Somerset St., New Brunswick, NJ 08901 732-828-3000; Bmsch.org ADD & neurology programs; assessment for autism, intellectual & learning disabilities.

44 MetroKids.com/SpecialKids

2600 W. 9th St., Chester, PA 19013 610-494-0700; Crozer.org

Deborah Heart & Lung Center

200 Trenton Rd., Browns Mills, NJ 08015 800-555-1990; Deborah.org Outpatient pediatric cardiology program provides diagnostic evaluations for children.

Delaware Co. Memorial Hospital, Hearing & Speech Center 501 N. Lansdowne Ave., Drexel Hill, PA 19026 610-284-8100; Crozer.org

Diagnostic audiology testing & hearing aid dispensing. = Bilingual Service

65 James St., Edison, NJ 08818 732-321-7050 JFKjohnson.org

Kennedy Krieger Institute

707 N. Broadway, Baltimore, MD 21205 888-554-2080 Kennedykrieger.org Research, treatment, services & schools for children with developmental concerns.

Keystone Mercy Health Plan 200 Stevens Dr., Phila. 19113 800-521-6860 Keystonefirstpa.com

Services for children with special needs or developmental delays. = Evaluations

= Support

= Vocational Training

MEDICAL Hospitals, rehabilitation centers, doctors and dentists that treat children with special needs.

KidsPeace Hospital, Orchard Hills

Pediatric Autism Program, Cooper University Hospital

5300 KidsPeace Dr., Orefield, PA 18069 800-854-3123; Kidspeace.org

Shriners Hospital for Children

One Cooper Plaza, Camden, NJ 08103 800-826-6737 Cooperhealth.org

Short-term stabilization program for children & adolescents.

Main Line Health, Bryn Mawr Hospital/ duPont Children’s Health Program 130 S. Bryn Mawr Ave., Bryn Mawr, PA 19010 866-225-5654; Mainlinehealth.org

Treatment & research center for diagnosis & treatment of autism spectrum disorders.

Pediatric Specialty Care

Matheny Medical & Educational Center 65 Highland Ave., Peapack, NJ 07977 908-234-0011

Inpatient program for medically fragile children birth to 21 years. Six locations throughout PA.

See our ad, p. 62

Matheny is licensed as a special hospital for children with medically complex developmental disabilities. Matheny.org

Practice Without Pressure Pike Creek

Mid-Atlantic Behavioral Health Children’s Services

Nonprofit health care for people with disabilities.

3521 Silverside Rd., Wilmington, DE 19810 302-224-1400 Midatlanticbh.com

Outpatient behavioral health services to children as young as 3 includes individual and group therapy, psych assessment and medicine management services.

NBN Medical Boutique, The

2 Pin Oak Ln., Cherry Hill, NJ 08003 856-669-6442 Nbnmedical.com

Educational, fun products for children, daily living aids and mobility items for adults to maintain independence and home safety.

Nemours / Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children

1600 Rockland Rd., Wilmington, DE 19803 800-416-444; Nemours.org

Ranked among the nation’s best for pediatric specialty care by U.S. News & World Report.

3105 Limestone Rd., Wilmington, DE 19808 302-635-7837 pwppikecreek.com

Saint Christopher’s Hospital for Children, Section of Developmental Pediatrics 160 E. Erie Ave., Phila. 19134 215-427-5531 Stchristophershospital.com

Shriners Hospital provides diagnosis, evaluation and treatment for a wide range of orthopaedic problems in infants, children and teens, as well as specialty care treating sports injuries, fractures, scoliosis and other spinal conditions.

See our ad, p. 43

3301 Scotts Ln., Phila. 19129 877-291-6535 Pediatricspecialty.com

Pediatric specialists, neonatal ICU & follow-up program.

3551 N. Broad St., Phila. 19140 215-430-4000 Shrinershospitalsforchildren.org

Serves children with developmental issues such as spina bifida, cerebral palsy, intellectual or learning disabilities, autism spectrum disorders and ADHD.

Weisman Children’s

Multiple Locations, NJ 877-543-8774 Weismanchildrens.com

Weisman Children’s is a community-based pediatric specialty organization consisting of an acute rehabilitation hospital, outpatient rehabilitation centers and medical day care centers; focused solely on the needs of infants, children, teens and young adults in South Jersey and the Greater Philadelphia area. The rehabilitation hospital located in Marlton, New Jersey, is an 18-bed facility with a focus on eight core programs: traumatic brain injury, infant feeding, pulmonary, burn, diabetes management, neonatal abstinence syndrome, amplified musculoskeletal pain syndrome and pediatric rehab. Our five outpatient clinics located in Marlton, Pennsauken, Vineland, Northfield, and Washington Township, New Jersey, provide physical, occupational, speech, and feeding therapy.

See our ad, below

Protect Your Children’s Precious

Saint Mary Children’s Health Center 2546 Knights Rd., Bensalem, PA 19020 215-245-8873; Stmaryhealthcare.org Provides pediatric care to Bucks Co. children, including low-income residents.

Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center / Child Development Services 1600 Haddon Ave., Camden, NJ 08103 856-757-3500 Lourdesnet.org/lourdes

Susan Armstrong, DDS Diplomate, American Board of Pediatric Denistry

Smile

Specialized training for patients with special needs.

Healthy Smile Center • 7 East Main St., Moorestown, NJ

Early intervention treatment services for infants-age 3 with developmental needs.

856.235.0415 www.ArmstrongPediatricDental.com

WEISMAN CHILDREN’S is the only pediatric rehabilitation hospital in South Jersey serving children from birth through age 20.

Weisman also offers outpatient rehab and medical day care in facilities throughout New Jersey. = Bilingual Service

= Evaluations

= Support

92 Brick Road, Marlton, NJ 08053 • (877) 543-8774

www.weismanchildrens.com

= Vocational Training

MetroKids.com/SpecialKids 45

ORGANIZATIONS Groups that offer information, referral services, research and/or support to parents, professionals and the public. Also see Advocacy

ALL/MULTIPLE DISABILITIES

Alliance for the Betterment of Citizens with Disabilities 127 US Hwy. 206, Hamilton, NJ 08610 609-581-8375 Abcdnj.org

Serves people with multiple physical & developmental disabilities.

Allies, Inc.

1262 Whitehorse-Hamilton Square Rd., Hamilton, NJ 08690 609-689-0136 Alliesnj.org

Provides housing, healthcare, employment & recreation for NJ residents.

American Medical Association

330 N. Wabash Ave., Chicago, IL 60611 800-621-8335 Ama-assn.org

Researches select mental & physical disabilities.

American Occupational Therapy Assoc.

4720 Montgomery Ln., Bethesda, MD 20814 301-652-6611 Aota.org Professional association.

Arc, The

1825 K St. NW, Washington, DC 20006 800-433-5255; Thearc.org

Delaware:

302-996-9400; Thearcofdelaware.org 2 S. Augustine St., Wilmington, DE 19804

New Jersey

Burlington: 609-531-021; Arcofburlington.org 115 E. Broad St., Burlington, NJ 08016 Camden: 856-767-3650; Arccamden.org 215 W. White Horse Pk., Berlin, NJ 08009 Cumberland: 856-691-9138; Arccumberland.org 1680 W. Sherman Ave., Vineland, NJ 08360 Gloucester: 856-848-8648; Thearcgloucester.org 1555 Gateway Blvd., W. Deptford, NJ 08096 Mercer: 609-406-0181; Arcmercer.org 180 Ewingville Rd., Ewing, NJ 08638 Middlesex: 732-246-2525; Arcnj.org 985 Livingston Ave., N. Brunswick, NJ 08902 Salem: 856-935-3600; Arcsalem.com 150 Salem-Woodstown Rd.,Salem, NJ 08079

Pennsylvania

Alliance: 610-265-4700; Thearcalliance.org 3075 Ridge Pike, Eagleville, PA 19403 Chester County: 610-696-8090; Arcofchestercounty.org 900 Lawrence Dr., West Chester, PA 19380

46 MetroKids.com/SpecialKids

Casa del Carmen Family Service Center

Delaware County: 610-544-6600; Thearcofdelco.org 740 S. Chester Rd., Swarthmore, PA 19081 Harrisburg: 800-692-7258; Thearcpa.org 301 Chestnut St., Harrisburg, PA 17101 Phila.: 215-229-4550; Arcpddc.org 2350 W. Westmoreland St., Phila. 19140

Advocacy for individuals with intellectual & developmental disabilities & their families. Local ARCs may provide referrals, EI, education, support groups, recreation & training.

ASAH

2125 Rte. 33, Hamilton Square, NJ 08690 609-890-1400 Asah.org Advocacy for NJ private schools & agencies serving special needs community.

4400 N. Reese St., Phila. 19140 215-329-5660 Cssphiladelphia.org/familyservicecenters/ casa Child care division of the Archdiocese of Phila.

Center for Independent Living of North Central PA, Roads to Freedom

24 E. 3rd St., Williamsport, PA 17701 570-327-9070 Cilncp.org

Info & resources regarding Americans with Disabilities Act rights.

Center for Independent Living of South Central Pennsylvania

2900 Beale Ave., Altoona, PA 16601 800-237-9009 Cilscpa.org

Services & program for all disabilities.

ASPIRA, Inc. of Pennsylvania 4322 N. 5th St., Phila. 19140 215-455-1300 Aspirapa.org

Center for Parent Information and Resources

Assoc. for Childhood Education Intl.

Information & referral center on special education law & disabilities. New location for NICHY Resources (English & Spanish).

35 Halsey St., Newark, NJ 07102 973-642-8100 Parentcenterhub.org/resources

Hispanic education org.

1200 18th St., NW, Washington, DC 20036 800-423-3563 Acei.org

Children & Families First

Supports education & development from birth through early adolescence.

Best Buddies

491 Allendale Rd., King of Prussia, PA 19406 888-604-7376 Bestbuddies.org/pennsylvania Provides 1-on-1 friendship for PA children.

Birth Defect Research for Children, Inc. 976 Lake Baldwin Ln., Orlando, FL 32814 407-895-0802 Birthdefects.org

Provides free info about birth defects & a parent registry.

Bucks County LIFE Program

882 Jacksonville Rd., Ivyland, PA 18974 888-442-1590 Lifeinbucks.org

Helps families navigate the mental health & ed system of Bucks Co.

Caregiver Action Network

1130 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20036; 202-454-3970 Caregiveraction.org Supports caregivers.

Like

2005 Baynard Blvd., Wilmington, DE 19802 302-658-5177 Family.cffde.org

Child & respite referrals, resources & training for providers.

Children’s Defense Fund

25 E St. NW, Washington, DC 20001 800-CDF-1200 Childrensdefense.org

Programs on healthcare, education, poverty, abuse & neglect.

Children’s Wish Foundation International 8615 Roswell Rd., Atlanta, GA 30350 800-323-9474 Childrenswish.org

Grants wishes of children under 18 who suffer from life-threatening illnesses.

Delaware Developmental Disabilities Council 410 Federal St., Dover, DE 19901 302-739-3333 Ddc.delaware.gov

State agency provides services to people with disabilities to improve their quality of life.

.com

Follow = Bilingual Service

= Evaluations

= Support

Visit

= Vocational Training

ORGANIZATIONS Groups that offer information, referral services, research and/or support to parents, professionals and the public. Also see Advocacy

Delaware Family Voices — DEFV

Make-A-Wish Foundation of America

222 Philadelphia Pike., Wilmington, DE 19809 877-235-3588; defv.org

4742 N. 24th St., Phoenix, AZ 85016 800-722-9474; Wish.org

Mid-Atlantic

Parent-run nonprofit finds resources & services for kids with special needs.

5272 River Rd., Bethesda, MD 20816 301-962-9474; Midatlantic.wish.org

New Jersey

Easterseals

1347 Perrineville Rd., Monroe Twp.,NJ 08831 800-252-9474; Nj.wish.org

141W. Jackson Blvd., Chicago, IL 60604 800-221-6827; Easterseals.com

Phila. & Susquehanna Valley

Eastern PA

5 Valley Sq., Blue Bell, PA 19422 215-654-9355; Philasv.wish.org

1501 Lehigh St., Allentown, PA 18103 610-289-0114; Esep.easterseals.com

Grants the wishes of terminally ill children.

Southeastern PA

3975 Conshohocken Ave., Phila. 19131 215-879-1000;Easterseals.com/sepa

March of Dimes

6 Parkway Ct., 875 Greentree Rd., Pittsburgh, PA 15220 412-281-7244; Easterseals.com/wcpenna

Delaware

1275 Mamaroneck Ave.,White Plains, NY 10605 914-997-4488; Marchofdimes.org

Western and Central PA

5620 Kirkwood Hwy., Wilmington, DE 19808 302-225-1020; Marchofdimes.org

New Jersey

Provides services & support for people with special needs.

Exceptional Parent

350 S. Grand Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90071 201-515-6130; Eparent.com Monthly magazine provides special needs information.

Pennsylvania

Northeast PA Div.: 610-814-7000 252 Brodhead Rd., Bethlehem, PA 18017 Marchofdimes.org Pennsylvania Chapter: 610-945-6050 435 Devon Park Drive, Wayne, PA 19087 Marchofdimes.org

Family Hope Center, The

2490 Blvd. of the Generals, Norristown, PA 19403 610-397-1737 Familyhopecenter.com

Research & advocacy to prevent birth defects, premature birth & infant mortality.

Helps families of children diagnosed with special needs.

Friendship Circle of Philadelphia RegionSouth, The 754 S. 9th St., Philadelphia, PA 19147 215-574-1765; phillyfriendship.com

Connects teens and young adults to youth with special needs.

Jewish Learning Venture

261 Old York Rd., Jenkintown, PA, 19046 215-320-0360 Jewishlearningventure.org Inclusive program connects families through rec. activities.

Central Jersey Div.: 732-952-9010 959 US Hwy. 46 E., Parsippany, NJ 07054 Marchofdimes.org South Jersey Div.: 856-874-9050; 3012 Main St., Voorhees, NJ 08043 Marchofdimes.org

Mayor’s Commission on People with Disabilities

1401 JFK Blvd., Phila. 19102 215-686-2798 Phila.gov/mcpd

Seeks to bring positive visibility to people with disabilities.

Mid-Atlantic ADA Center

12300 Twinbrook Pkwy., Rockville, MD 20852 800-949-4232; Adainfo.org Awareness, info of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

MossRehab at Einstein Philadelphia

Kids Together, Inc.

PO Box 574, Quakertown, PA 18954 Kidstogether.org

1200 W. Tabor Rd., Phila. 19141 215-456-9800; Mossresourcenet.org

Resources & information for children & adults with disabilities.

Online info & resouces on special needs topics.

Liberty Resources, Inc.

1220 Valley Forge Rd. Valley Forge, PA 19481 610-935-6624 Networksfortraining.org

112 N. 8th St., Phila. 19107 215-634-2000 Libertyresources.org

Supports independent living, offers referrals & skills training.

= Bilingual Service

= Evaluations

Networks for Training and Devel., Inc.

Training, technical assistance for those with special needs.

= Support

= Vocational Training

New Jersey Coalition for Inclusive Ed. 60 Park Pl., Newark, NJ 07102 732-613-0400 NJCIE.net

Dedicated to expanding inclusive educational opportunities for students with disabilities.

New Jersey Self-Help Group Clearinghouse

673 Morris Ave., Springfield, NJ 07801 800-367-6274 Njgroups.org

Help people find & form all types of mutual aid self-help groups.

Parent to Parent of Delaware

222 Philadelphia Pk., Wilmington, DE 19809 302-669-3030 Delawarefamilytofamily.org

Parent to Parent of Pennsylvania

6340 Flank Dr., Harrisburg, PA 17112 888-727-2706 Parenttoparent.org

Matching parents to others whose children have similar diagnoses. Offering emotional support.

Philadelphia HUNE, Inc.

2215 N. American St., Phila. 19133 215-425-6203 Huneinc.org

Training, individual tech. assist. & advocacy to parents of Phila children.

Philadelphia Independence Network

9350 Ashton Rd., Phila. 19114 267-350-8600 Jevshumanservices.org/programs/adultresidential-day-services/ philadelphia-independence-network-pin Support for young adults seeking independence.

Planned Parenthood Southeastern PA 1144 Locust St., Phila. 19107 215-351-5500 Ppsp.org

Sex ed. for kids with special needs.

Special Needs Project /America’s Disability Bookstore

521 Arroyo Ave., Santa Barbara, CA 93109 805-962-8087 Specialneedsproject.com

Unique bookstore specializing in autism, Asperger syndrome & other disabilities.

United Way Worldwide

701 N. Fairfax St., Alexandria, VA 22314 703-836-7112; Unitedway.org

Delaware

Delaware: 302-573-3727; Uwde.org 625 N. Orange St., Wilmington, DE 19801

MetroKids.com/SpecialKids 47

ORGANIZATIONS Groups that offer information, referral services, research and/or support to parents, professionals and the public. Also see Advocacy

New Jersey

Atlantic & Cape May: 215-665-2417; Unitedforimpact.org 4 E. Jimmie Leeds Rd., Galloway, NJ 08205 Burlington & Camden: 609-267-4500; Unitedforimpact.org 1040 N. Kings Hwy., Cherry Hill, NJ 08034 Gloucester: 856-845-4303; Uwgcnj.org 454 Crown Point Rd., Thorofare, NJ 08086 Mercer: 609-896-1912; Uwgmc.org 3150 Brunswick Pk., Lawrenceville, NJ 08648 Salem: 856-935-2538; Unitedwayofsalem.org 118 Walnut St., Salem, NJ 08079-1171

Pennsylvania

Capitol Region: 717-732-0700; Uwcr.org 2235 Millennium Way, Enola, PA 17025 Chester: 610-429-9400; Unitedwaychestercounty. org 495 Thomas Jones Way, Exton, PA 19341 Delaware: 215-665-2500 Unitedforimpact.org 1709 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy., Phila. 19103 Greater Philadelphia, Delaware Co. & Southern NJ 215-665-2500; Unitedforimpact.org 1709 Ben Franklin Pkwy., Phila. 19103 Lancaster: 717-394-0731; Uwlanc.org 630 Janet Ave., Lancaster, PA 17601 S. Chester: 610-444-4357; Unitedwayscc.org 106 W. State St., Kennett Square, PA 19348 Wayne: 610-971-8879; Unitedforimpact.org 933 E. Haverford Rd., Bryn Mawr, PA 19010

Umbrella fund-raising organization focuses on education, income & health.

University of Delaware, Center for Disability Studies

461 Wyoming Rd., Newark, DE 19716 302-831-6974 Udel.edu/cds Education, prevention, service & research related to disabilities for DE residents.

Valley Forge Educational Services

ASPEN: Asperger Syndrome Ed. Network

Valley Forge Educational Services (VFES) offers a continuum of educational, summer and employment-related programs for people with disabilities. The hallmark of our programs is our collaborative and holistic approach to each child, adolescent and adult, recognizing his or her unique abilities and needs through team efforts. Individuals of all ages come to learn, share, appreciate and respect one another while developing skills necessary for success.

We are committed to helping students and participants develop a strong sense of self-worth to realize their value as contributing members of their communities.

Serves families affected by ASDs & non-verbal learning disabilities.

1777 N. Valley Rd., Malvern, PA 19355 610-296-6725; Vfes.net

9 Aspen Cir, Edison, NJ 08820 732-321-0880; Aspennj.org

See our ad, p. 23

Variety – The Children’s Charity of Greater Philadelphia

Autism Delaware

924 Old Harmony Rd., Newark, DE 19713 302-224-6020 17517 Nassau Commons Blvd., Lewes, DE 19958; 302-644-3410 Delautism.org Wide range of services for state residents, including vocational, clinical, family supports, social and recreational opportunities and advocacy. Offices in Newark, Dover and Milton.

Autism New Jersey

The Variety Club serves children and youth with physical and developmental disabilities.

VSA

The John F. Kennedy Center 2700 F Street, NW Washington, DC 20566 800-444-1324; Education.kennedy-center. org/education/vsa

Delaware

1200 N. Dupont Hwy., Dover, DE 19901 302-857-6699; Vsadelaware.org

Creates learning opportunities through the arts.

Zero to Three

1255 23rd St. NW, Washington, DC 20037 202-638-1144 Zerotothree.org Supports efforts of professionals & parents working with infants & toddlers.

ASPERGER SYNDROME / AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER

ASCEND Group: The Asperger and Autism Alliance for Greater Philadelphia

Support, advocacy & info.

816 Second St. Pike, Southampton, PA 18966 215-942-2273; Autismcaresfoundation.org

See our ad, p. 6

2950 Potshop Rd., Worcester, PA 19490 610-584-4366 Varietyphila.org

PO Box 2097, Media, PA 19063 610-449-6776 Ascendgroup.org

Autism Cares Foundation

500 Horizon Dr., Robbinsville, NJ 08691 800-428-8476; Autismnj.org Information & advocacy for NJ residents.

Autism Research Institute

4182 Adams Ave., San Diego, CA 92116 833-281-7165; Autism.com Info relating to autism, such as treatments, schools & residential facilities.

Autism Services Center

929 4th Ave., Huntington, WV 25701 304-525-8014; Autismservicescenter.org

Puts parents in touch with local support groups.

Autism Society of America

4340 East-West Hwy., Bethesda, MD 20814 800-328-8476; Autism-society.org Provides info, referrals, education, advocacy & research.

Autism Society Greater Philadelphia

PO Box 60159, King of Prussia, PA 19406 610-358-5256; Asaphilly.org

ASA Philly promotes lifelong access and opportunities for persons within the autism spectrum & their families, to be fully included, participating members of their communities through advocacy, awareness, education and reach.

See our ad, below & p. 72

Autism Society Greater Philadelphia promotes lifelong access and opportunities for persons within the autism spectrum and their families, to be fully included, participating members of their communities through advocacy, awareness, education and research.

610-358-5256 www.Asaphilly.org

48 MetroKids.com/SpecialKids

The Autism Society’s Greater Philadelphia chapter offers: • Conference and lecture series • Yahoo Listserve groups • Support group mini grants • Puzzle Ribbon Campaign • Autism Awareness Day at the Zoo • Sensory-friendly movie series

= Bilingual Service

= Evaluations

= Support

= Vocational Training

ORGANIZATIONS Groups that offer information, referral services, research and/or support to parents, professionals and the public. Also see Advocacy

Autism Speaks

1626 Locust St., Phila. 19103

Provides a range of services & information, financial assistance & programs for all age groups.

1 E. 33rd St., New York, NY 10016 212-252-8584; Autismspeaks.org Promotes research with direct clinical implications for treatment of autism.

American Childhood Cancer Org. PO Box 498, Kensington, MD 20895 855-858-2226 Acco.org

Autism Watch

Autism-watch.org

Supports, serves & educates families that have children with cancer.

Website validates autism info & links.

Doug Flutie, Jr. Foundation for Autism

Children’s Tumor Foundation

PO Box 2157, Framingham, MA 01703 508-270-8855; Flutiefoundation.org

120 Wall St., New York, NY 10005 800-323-7938; Ctf.org

Provides support & education.

FACES 4 Autism

2900 Fire Rd., Egg Harbor Twp 609-380-4251; Faces4autism.org

Delaware

1300 N. Grant Ave., Wilmington, DE 19806 302-661-7300; Lls.org/de New Jersey 14 Commerce Dr., Cranford, NJ 07016 908-956-6644; Lls.org/nj

M.A.A.P

Maapservices.org

Provides information to individuals with ASDs.

Pennsylvania

Autism Society of SW NJ 856-278-0798

Parent-run support group for families with autism.

Pennsylvania Advocacy and Resources for Autism & Intellectual Disabilities 4 Lemoyne Dr., Lemoyne, PA 17043 717-236-2374 ; Par.net

Central PA: 717-652-6520; Lls.org/central-Pennsylvania 101 Erford Rd., Camp Hill, PA 17011 Eastern PA: 610-238-0360; Lls.org/eastern-Pennsylvania 100 N. 20th St., Phila. 19103

Financial assistance for outpatient services for individuals with leukemia, Hodgkin’s lymphoma or multiple myeloma.

Provides PA individuals & their families with autism and intellectual disabilities.

National Cancer Institute’s Cancer Information Service

CANCER

American Cancer Society

250 Williams St. NW, Atlanta, GA 30303 800-227-2345 Cancer.org Services & information, financial assistance & programs for all age groups.

9609 Medical Center Dr., Bethesda, MD 20892 800-422-6237; Cancer.gov

Principle federal agency for cancer research, info & training.

Delaware

CEREBRAL PALSY

New Castle Office 302-324-4227 92 Read’s Way, New Castle, DE 19720

Cerebral Palsy Assoc. of Chester County, Inc.

Maryland

Salisbury Office: 410-749-1624 1315 Mt. Hermon Rd., Salisbury, MD 21804

New Jersey

749 Springdale Dr., Exton, PA 19341 800-559-CCDS Ccdisability.org

Offers support & assistance to families of children from birth-age 3 with cerebral palsy.

South Jersey: 856-616-1650 1851 Old Cuthbert Rd.,Cherry Hill, NJ 08034

Pennsylvania

Philadelphia: 215-985-5400 = Bilingual Service

= Evaluations

Delaware

700A River Rd., Wilmington, DE 19809 302-764-2400; Ucpde.org

Pennsylvania

3 International Dr., Rye Brook, NY 10573 888-557-7177; Lls.org

Provides information, resources & support for people with ASDs.

United Cerebral Palsy

1825 K St. NW, Washington, DC 20006 800-872-5827; Ucp.org

CureSearch for Children’s Cancer

Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

190 Moore St., Hackensack, NJ 07601 201-457-0058, ext.15; J-add.org

Provides programs for individuals with cerebral palsy or other developmental disabilities.

New Jersey

International consortium of pediatric cancer centers.

Jewish Association for Developmental Disabilities

401 Rutgers Ave., Swarthmore, PA 19081 610-328-5955 Cades.org

Improves well-being of those affected by the neurofibromatoses.

4600 East West Hwy, Bethesda, MD 20814 800-458-6223; Curesearch.org

Nonprofit provides support & ed. to people affected by autism.

Children and Adult Disability and Educational Services

= Support

SpecialKidsMagazine = Vocational Training

721 Broadway, Bayonne, NJ 07002 201-436-2200; Ucpofhudsoncounty.org Blossom Philadelphia 102 E. Mermaid Lane, Phila. 19118 215-242-4200; Blossomphiladelphia.org

Raises public awareness of CP and provides programs and services to people with all types of orthopedic disabilities, including spina bifida & muscular dystrophy.

COMMUNICATION / HEARING IMPAIRMENTS / SOCIAL DISORDERS

Alexander Graham Bell Assoc. for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing 3417 Volta Place, NW, Washington, DC 20007 202-337-5220 Agbell.org

Promotes listening and spoken language for families & children with hearing loss.

American Academy of Audiology

11480 Commerce Park Dr., Reston, VA 20191 800-222-2336 Audiology.org

Professional organization of audiologists.

American Society for Deaf Children

800 Florida Ave. NE, Washington, DC 20002 800-942-2732 Deafchildren.org Informational, support & referral services for families of deaf & hard-of-hearing children.

American Speech-Language-Hearing Assoc.

2200 Research Blvd., Rockville, MD 20850 800-638-8255 Asha.org Certifies speech pathologists & audiologists.

Delaware Families for Hands & Voices 22 Peoples Plaza, Newark, DE 19702 302-383-9890 Delawarehandsandvoices.org

Information & support services for deafness & hearing loss.

MetroKids.com/SpecialKids 49

ORGANIZATIONS Groups that offer information, referral services, research and/or support to parents, professionals and the public. Also see Advocacy

Everas Community Services

24 K World’s Fair Dr., Somerset, NJ 08873 732-805-1912; Everas.org Provides respite workers, recreational activities, classes & care provider training.

Helen Keller National Center for Deaf-Blind Youth & Adults

14440 Cherry Lane Ct., Laurel, MD 20707 240-786-6534 Hknc.org Works to enable the deaf-blind to live, work & thrive in the community of their choice.

Montgomery County Assoc. for the Blind 25 E. Marshall St., Norristown, PA 19401 215-661-9800 Mcab.org

Rehabilitation, education, support & advocacy for people with blindness & vision impairment.

Stuttering Foundation of America

1805 Moriah Woods Blvd, PO Box 11749, Memphis, TN 38111-0749 800-992-9392 Stutteringhelp.org Resources, research, services & support for those who stutter & their families.

DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES / DOWN SYNDROME

American Assoc. on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

501 3rd St. NW, Washington, DC 20001 202-387-1968 Aaidd.org

Offers info on developmental disabilities & advancements in treatments.

Band of Angels Foundation

3048 Charlwood Dr., Rochester Hills, MI 48306 248-377-9309; Bandofangels.com

Chester County Down Syndrome Interest Group

PO Box 258, Exton, PA 19341 610-889-0291 Ccdsig.org

Provides support, community-based activities & advocacy.

Cornelia De Lange Syndrome Foundation

Developmental Delay Resources

New Jersey Council on Developmental Disabilities

Provides services that educate & unite families touched by Cornelia De Lange Syndrome.

Programs & services for South Jersey families of children with Down syndrome.

50 MetroKids.com/SpecialKids

PO Box 700, Trenton, NJ 08625 609-292-3745 Njcdd.org

Educates the public about approaches to delays. Focus is on causes, not treatment.

Advocacy & research for NJ residents with developmental & other disabilities.

Down Syndrome Association of DE PO Box 747, Middletown, DE 19709 302-995-1004 Dsadelaware.org

Penn Foundation

807 Lawn Ave., Sellersville, PA 18960 215-257-6551 Pennfoundation.org

Nonprofit Down syndrome organization provides research, education & advocacy.

Nonprofit that offers early intervention and other services for SE PA.

Down Syndrome Interest Group of Delaware County

Resources for Human Development, Inc.

PO Box 5066, Springfield, PA 19064 610-544-4025 Delcodsig.org

4700 Wissahickon Ave., Phila. 19144 215-951-0300 Rhd.org

Nonprofit Down syndrome organization provides research, education & advocacy.

Serves individuals living with developmental disabilities, mental illness & addictions.

Eastern Pennsylvania Down Syndrome Center

6900 Hamilton Blvd., Trexlertown, PA 18087 610-402-0184; Epdsc.net Lehigh Valley Down syndrome organization.

Provides dance, music & theater for kids & young adults with Down syndrome.

504 Centennial Blvd., Voorhees, NJ 08043 856-985-5885 Bringingupdownsyndrome.org

Sponsors testing, education & public awareness for Tay-Sachs and Canavan diseases.

5801 Beacon St., Pittsburgh, PA 15217 800-497-0944 Devdelay.org

Barber National Institute, Delaware Valley Office

BUDS: Bringing Up Down Syndrome

National Tay-Sachs & Allied Diseases Assoc. of Delaware Valley

PO Box 441, Jenkintown, PA 19046 215-887-0877 Tay-sachs.org

Hopes and Dreams Foundation

Services, education & support to individuals & families with developmental disabilities.

Nonprofit Down syndrome organization pro vides research, education & advocacy.

302 W. Main St., Avon, CT 06001 860-676-8166 Cdlsusa.org

Therapist referral network, annual events & foundational giving to groups that focus on children and young adults with special needs.

3300 Henry Ave., Phila. 19129 215-871-0731 Barberinstitute.org

National Down Syndrome Society

8 E. 41st St., New York, NY 10017 800-221-4602 Ndss.org

KIIDS: Knowledge & Information about Individuals with Down Syndrome

Southern New Jersey; Kiids.info

Supports new parents of babies with Down syndrome with info, support & group activities.

Montgomery County Down Syndrome Interest Group of Pennsylvania Supports families with Down syndrome through mutual support & guidance.

= Bilingual Service

2982 S. Union St., Rochester, NY 14624 585-594-4621 Trisomy.org

Support & education for chromosome disorders.

517 Cedarbrook Rd., Southampton, PA 18966 215-264-2859 Hopesanddreamsfoundation.org

P.O. Box 703, Blue Bell, PA 19422 484-808-2160; Mcdsig.org

Support Organization For Trisomy 18, 13 & Related Disorders

EMOTIONAL / BEHAVIORAL DISORDERS

Department of Behaviorial Health and Intellectual Disability Services Parents Involved Network

1101 Market Street, Phila. 19107 215-685-5400 Dbhids.org

Peer-to-peer program for families of children with emotional & behavioral challenges.

Diversified Community Services

1529 S. 22nd St., Phila. 19146 215-336-5505 Dcsphila.org

Day care, youth violence prevention & job training.

= Evaluations

= Support

= Vocational Training

ORGANIZATIONS Groups that offer information, referral services, research and/or support to parents, professionals and the public. Also see Advocacy

International OCD Foundation

Southern New Jersey Office 208 White Horse Pk., Barrington, NJ 08007 856-858-5900; Efnj.com

PO Box 961029, Boston, MA 02196 617-973-5801 Iocdf.org

Pennsylvania

Supports research & education and assists individuals with OCD.

Eastern Pennsylvania 919 Walnut St., Phila. 19107 800-887-7165; Efepa.org Western/Central Pennsylvania 3507 Market St., Camp Hill, PA 17011 800-336-0301; Efwp.org

KidsPeace

4085 Independence Dr., Schnecksville, PA 18078-2574 800-257-3223 Kidspeace.org

Support for families impacted by epilepsy; education programs to eliminate stigma.

Serves the critical behavioral & mental health needs of children.

NAMI: National Alliance on Mental Illness

Action Wellness

3803 N. Fairfax Dr., Arlington, VA 22203 703-524-7600; Nami.org

NAMI Delaware

2400 W. 4th St., Wilmington, DE 19805 302-427-0787; Namide.org

NAMI New Jersey

1562 Rte. 130, North Brunswick, NJ 08902 732-940-0991; Naminj.org

NAMI Pennsylvania

Improves the lives of individuals & families affected by mental illness through education, support & advocacy.

Enhances quality of life for people affected by HIV/AIDS and other chronic diseases.

American Sexual Health Association

PO Box 13827, Research Triangle Pk, NC 27709 919-361-8400 Ashastd.org

LEARNING DISABILITIES / ADHD

Academic Language Therapy Assoc.

14070 Proton Rd., Dallas, TX 75244 972-233-9107, ext. 226 Altaread.org

New Jersey Parents’ Caucus, Inc.

Trinitas Regional Medical Center, 655 E. Jersey St., Elizabeth, NJ 07206 908-994-7471 Newjerseyparentscaucus.org

Info & treatment of developmental disorders such as dyslexia.

Training, education, advocacy, support & referrals for kids with behavioral challenges.

PLAN of Pennsylvania

CHADD: Children and Adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder 4601 Presidents Dr., Lanham, MD 20706 800-233-4050; Chadd.org

New Jersey

230 Sugartown Rd., Wayne, PA 19087 610-687-4036 Planofpa.org

Mercer Co. 22 Riverside Dr., Princeton, NJ 08540 609-683-8787

Planning for families with an adult relative with mental illness or other lifelong disabilities.

Pennsylvania

EPILEPSY / SEIZURE DISORDERS

Epilepsy Foundation

1216 Arch St., Phila. 19107 215-981-0088 Actionwellness.org

Hotline for info & help in dealing with sexually transmitted diseases.

105 Braunlich Dr., Pittsburgh, PA 15237 800-223-0500; Namikeystonepa.org

8301 Professional Pl., Landover, MD 20785 800-332-1000; Epilepsy.com

HIV

Chester & Main Line Cos. 1000 Pottstown Pk., West Chester, PA 19380 610-429-4060; ccmlchadd.com BuxMont 902 Valley Road, Elkins Park, PA 19027 267-326-7760; Chadd.net/249

Delaware

Provides research, education, support & advocacy for individuals with ADHD.

New Jersey

International Dyslexia Assoc., PA & DE Branch

240 N. James St., Newport, DE 19804 877-369-2266; Epilepsy.com/delaware NJ Family Resource Network 1 AAA Dr., Trenton, NJ 08691-1811 800-336-5843; Efnj.com NJ Family Support Center 35 Beaverson Blvd., Brick, NJ 08023 800-372-6510; Fscnj.org

= Bilingual Service

= Evaluations

1062 E. Lancaster Ave., Rosemont, PA 19010; 855-220-8885 Pbida.org

Information, support, resources, hotline, teacher training & meetings.

= Support

= Vocational Training

Learning Ally

20 Roszel Rd., Princeton, NJ 08540 800-221-4792; Learningally.org

Serves those who can’t read print because of a disability.

Learning Disabilities Assoc. of America

4156 Library Rd., Pittsburgh, PA 15234 412-341-1515; Ldaamerica.org

Support for children with learning disabilities.

National Center for Learning Disabilities 32 Laight St., New York, NY 10013 Ncld.org

Provides resources, information & advocacy.

MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS

Multiple Sclerosis Assoc. of America

375 Kings Hwy. N., Cherry Hill, NJ 08034 800-532-7667; Mymsaa.org Enriches the quality of life for people affected by multiple sclerosis.

National Multiple Sclerosis Society

733 3rd Ave., New York, NY 10017 800-344-4867 Nationalmssociety.org

Greater Delaware Valley Chapter 30 S. 17th St., Phila. 19103 800-344-4867; Nationalmssociety.org/pae

Funds medical research & provides programs that help people with MS.

PHYSICAL DISABILITIES

American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology

555 E. Wells St., Milwaukee, WI 53202 414-272-6071 Aaaai.org Info on and list of allergists.

American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology

85 W. Algonquin Rd., Arlington Hts., IL 60005 847-427-1200 Acaai.org Research, advocacy & professional public education.

American Heart Association

7272 Greenville Ave., Dallas, TX 75231 800-242-8721; Americanheart.org

Delaware

200 Continental Dr., Newark, DE 19713 302-454-0613

New Jersey

1 Union St., Robbinsville, NJ 08691 609-208-0020

Southeastern Pennsylvania 1617 JFK Blvd., Phila. 19103 215-575-5200

Info on children & heart disease. Local offices typically offer support groups.

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ORGANIZATIONS Groups that offer information, referral services, research and/or support to parents, professionals and the public. Also see Advocacy

American Lung Assoc. in Pennsylvania

527 Plymouth Rd., Plymouth Mtg., PA 19462 610-268-9785 Lunginfo.org Fights lung disease through ed., service, advocacy & research.

Arthritis Foundation, Eastern Pennsylvania Chapter

410 Market St., Phila. 19106 215-574-3060 Arthritis.org/eastern-pennsylvania

Provides programs, advocacy, public education & fundraising.

Asthma & Allergy Foundation of America 8201 Corporate Dr., Landover, MD 20785 800-727-8462 Aafa.org Info, services & support for people with asthma & allergies.

Brain Injury Association of Delaware 840 Walker Road, Dover, DE 19904 800-411-0505 Biaofde.org

Food Allergy Support Team of Delaware 302-737-5316 krobell@verizon.net

Berwyn, PA 19312; 610-212-2337 Fragilex.org/community/communitysupport-network/northeast/fragile-xsoutheast-pennsylvania

Support group for families & caregivers of children with severe food allergies.

Human Growth Foundation

997 Glencove Ave., Glenhead, NY 11545 800-451-6434 Hgfound.org

Helps children & adults with growth or hormone disorders.

Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International

213 Village Square II, Baltimore, MD 21210 443-423-0535; Nfmidatlantic.org

100 W. 10th St., Wilmington, DE 19801 302-888-1117; Jdrf.org/Delaware

Eastern Pennsylvania

555 Croton Rd., King of Prussia, PA 19406 610-664-9255; Jdrfeasternpa.com

South Jersey

1415 Rte. 70 E., Cherry Hill, NJ 08034 856-429-1101; Jdrf.org/southjersey

Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation

222 S. Riverside Plaza, Chicago, IL 60606 800-572-1717; Mdausa.org

Cleft Palate Foundation

1504 E. Franklin St., Chapel Hill, NC 27514 800-242-5338 Cleftline.org Counseling support, referrals & information on aspects of cleft lip/palate.

Cystic Fibrosis Foundation

4550 Montgomery Ave., Bethesda, MD 20814 800-344-4823 Cff.org

Information & referrals. Pharmacy & staff can assist with insurance issues.

Dwarf Athletic Assoc. of America

P.O. Box 2, Kentfield, CA 94914 415-915-9572 Daaa.org Creates sports opportunities.

FARE: Food Allergy Research & Education

7925 Jones Branch Dr., McLean, VA 22102 800-929-4040 Foodallergy.org Works on behalf of Americans with food allergies, including those at risk for anaphylaxis.

52 MetroKids.com/SpecialKids

Muscular Dystrophy Assoc.

Philly/Delaware Office

600 Reed Rd., Broomall, PA 19008 610-325-5758; Mda.org/office/philly-de

Combats neuromuscular diseases through research, medical & community services and health education.

Support & services for families with neurofibromatosis. Sponsors a camp in MD.

New Jersey Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Association

PO Box 447, Florham Park, NJ 07928 Njcfsa.org

Nonprofit provides services & information, promotes research, sponsors support groups.

Osteogenesis Imperfecta Foundation

804 W. Diamond Ave., Gaithersburg, MD 20878 844-889-7579 Oif.org

Research, education, awareness & mutual support.

Paraplegia News Magazine

Narcolepsy Network

2111 E. Highland Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85016 888-888-2201; Pn-magazine.com

P.O. Box 2178, Lynnwood, WA 98036 888-292-6522 Narcolepsynetwork.org

Covers spinal-related disability news, advocacy, sports & children’s activities.

Nationwide support, research & public education.

Pathways

National Jewish Health

150 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60601 800-955-2445; Pathways.org

1400 Jackson St., Denver, CO 80206 877-225-5654 Nationaljewish.org

Provides education for & about children with movement & physical challenges.

Provides treatment for patients with respiratory, immune & allergic disorders.

Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors, Inc. 1835 RW Berends Dr. SW, Grand Rapids, MI 49519 800-888-2876 Phoenix-society.org

National Kidney Foundation of Philadelphia & Delaware Valley

1500 Walnut St., Phila. 19102 215-923-8611 Nkfdv.org

Seeks to prevent disease & increase the availability of organs for transplantation. Offers educational services for both the public and professional populations.

SpecialKidsMagazine = Bilingual Service

National Reye’s Syndrome Foundation

426 N. Lewis St., PO Box 829 Bryan, OH 43506 800-233-7393 Reyessyndrome.org

Neurofibromatosis — Mid Atlantic

Delaware

Funds & advocate of Type 1 diabetes research.

Promotes the well-being of people living with paralysis.

Research, education, support & advocacy for individuals with Fragile X Syndrome.

Awareness, research & support to those with Reye’s Syndrome.

26 Broadway, New York, NY 10004 800-533-2873; Jdrf.org

Brain injury prevention, research, education & advocacy.

636 Morris Turnpike, Short Hills, NJ 07078 800-225-0292 Christopherreeve.org

National Fragile X Foundation, Southeast PA Community Support Network

Helps individuals affected by a burn injury with peer support, education & collaboration.

Setebaid Services, Inc.

PO Box 196, Winfield, PA 17889 570-524-9090 Setebaidservices.org

Nonprofit provides diabetes education, camps & social support programs.

= Evaluations

= Support

= Vocational Training

ORGANIZATIONS Groups that offer information, referral services, research and/or support to parents, professionals and the public. Also see Advocacy

VISUAL IMPAIRMENTS / BLIND

Spina Bifida Association of the Delaware Valley

American Foundation for the Blind

PO Box 1235, Havertown, PA 19083 800-223-0222 Sbadv.org

Promotes public awareness, services & aids the prevention of spina bifida.

Spina Bifida Resource Network

84 Park Ave., Flemington, NJ 08822 908-782-7475 Thesbrn.org

Supports people with spina bifida & promotes prevention.

United Spinal Association

120-34 Queens Blvd., Kew Gardens, NY 11415 718-803-3782 Unitedspinal.org

Provides support and info to care providers and professionals.

TOURETTE SYNDROME

Assists visually impaired individuals.

Braille Institute Youth Center

50 Division St., Somerville, NJ 08876 908-575-7350 Njcts.org

Supports education and advocacy to the NJ Tourette syndrome population. Camp serving all of NJ.

PA Tourette Syndrome Alliance

Seeks to eliminate blindness & severe sight loss as a barrier to a fulfilling life.

Works toward complete integration into society for the blind and visually impaired.

Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired (CBVI)

National Library Service for Blind & Physically Handicapped

100 W. 15th St., Chester, PA 19013 610-874-1476 Cbvi.net

Helps prevent, prepare for & adapt to vision loss.

Pennsylvania Council of the Blind

Research on preventions, treatments and cures for those affected by vision loss.

Education, employment, transportation & accessibility.

Guiding Eyes for the Blind

Vision Walk — Foundation Fighting Blindness

611 Granite Springs Rd., Yorktown Heights, NY 10598 800-942-0149 Guidingeyes.org

Library for the Blind & Physically Handicapped

Advocacy & info.

A free national library of Braille & recorded materials.

931 N. Front St., Harrisburg, PA 17102 877-617-7407 Pcb1.org

Tourette Syndrome Assoc.

112 E. Kitts Ln., Middletown, DE 19709 302-547-6306; tourettedelaware.org

1291 Taylor St. NW Washington, DC 20542 800-424-8567 Loc.gov/nls

7168 Columbia Gateway Drive, Columbia, MD 21046 800-683-5555 Blindness.org

Nonprofit provides Guiding Eyes & Heeling Autism dogs, training & support services.

Delaware

National Federation of the Blind

200 E. Wells St., Baltimore, MD 21230 410-659-9314 Nfb.org

Info, advocacy, support, training, family camp & referral services.

42-40 Bell Blvd., Bayside, NY 11361 888-486-8738; Tsa-usa.org

Nonprofit provides support to parents of children with visual impairments, including those with additional disabilities.

741 N. Vermont Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90029 800-272-4553 Brailleinstitute.org

Foundation Fighting Blindness

NJ Center for Tourette Syndrome

PO Box 148, McSherrystown, PA 17344 800-990-3300 Patsainc.org

1401 South Clark St., Arlington, VA 22202 212-502-7600 Afb.org

Lighthouse Guild Vision & Health

250 W. 64th St., New York, NY 10023 800-284-4422 Lighthouse.org

919 Walnut St., Phila. 19107 215-683-3213 Freelibrary.org/lbph

7168 Columbia Gateway Dr., Columbia, MD 21046 800-683-5555 Fightblindness.org

Drives research that provides preventions, treatments and cures for those affected by retinal degenerative diseases.

Find us on

Recorded books & magazines, equipment, large print & Braille & descriptive videos.

Facebook.com/ SpecialKidsMagazine

BE IN THE KNOW! Sign up for our biweekly

e-blasts for local special needs coverage and fantastic area events.

Go to MetroKids.com/enews and select Special Needs Update under Email Lists. = Bilingual Service

= Evaluations

= Support

= Vocational Training

MetroKids.com/SpecialKids 53

Professional Services

Manage Mealtime How to Get Children with Autism Who Have Eating Problems Back on a Healthy Diet

By Debra Wallace Jackson Cointot was more than a finicky eater when he was 3 years old. His extremely limited diet of pizza, cheese curls and Cheerios led his desperate parents to search for help and nutritional guidance.

Before being diagnosed with autism at age two-and-a-half, Jackson was eating baby food and a small variety of other foods. Gradually, his strong gag reflex and an aversion to eating with a spoon resulted in him choosing only carbs and snack foods – a common problem for children on the autism spectrum, as well as some typical children.

An estimated 25 percent of typical children develop feeding or eating problems, but among children with autism it is as high as 80 percent, according to the Indiana University Resource Center for Autism in Bloomington.

Taste, texture, smell or color

Allison Cointot, 36, Jackson’s Ridley Park, PA mom, and her husband, Keith, looked into intensive food-therapy programs and force-feeding options.

Instead, they decided to have Jackson work with behavior analyst Jennifer King, the owner of Teaching Together, who says that the majority of children she works with who have autism are extremely picky eaters, which often translates to problems with taste, texture, smell or color.

The family’s goal for Jackson was to add more nutritional food choices, fruit, vegetables and textures – basically anything other than carbs.

“I use a softer and gentler approach than many other behavioral programs,” says King.

King takes foods that the child used to eat and encourages him to begin with touching, smelling and licking the food and then take a bite – all of this is done with patience, positive reinforcement and family cooperation.

“I make feeding therapy fun. The longterm goal is for the child to eat fruits and vegetables,” King explains, “but the short-term goal is for the child to learn to trust me.”

54 MetroKids.com/SpecialKids

Gateway foods

King may take a picky eater’s love for French fries as a gateway for her to try sweet potato fries and, eventually, carrot and red pepper sticks.

“Many children will try crunchy foods as opposed to squishy foods, like soft veggies. After we’ve been working for a while, children will go along with me and try Nutella on a sandwich, with or without peanut butter, and after a year or two they may have graduated to roasted broccoli.”

She says often parents want the child to eat the entire portion, while King sees one bite as a victory.

Her advice: “I would say to go slow, go back to the foods like apple sauce the child used to eat. I know that parents get frustrated, but there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Most of the children I have worked with have been successful in meeting their goals. Almost all of them have been able to add all five food groups back into their diet.”

So, how did King’s therapy and the family’s follow-through change the life of Jackson, now a 4-year-old preschooler?

“My son now eats every texture and items from every food group,” says Allison. “Our family can go to a restaurant and can find items for Jackson to eat. He is getting vitamins and nutrients. He was starting to gain weight by eating all those carbs and now his belly is thinning out.

Mealtime is no longer a battle and he can make his own choices.”

Her advice for parents of children with autism who are picky eaters? “Consistency pays off,” explains Allison. “Find the program for your child and your family that is the best fit.”

Food issues a common problem

Developmental pediatrician Caroline Eggerding, who has been diagnosing and treating children with autism for 37 years, is well versed in family eating and feeding concerns.

“In my experience, a child who has a diagnosis with autism and eats well is the exception,” says Eggerding, the division head of pediatric neurology and development at Cooper Children’s Regional

Hospital in Camden, NJ. “The majority of the toddlers and children on the autism spectrum have fairly intense food likes and dislikes, and extremely limited diets. Rarely do parents bring in a child who has no eating or feeding rules,” she says, “and like all early intervention, we should be embracing this and addressing it early on.”

Eggerding believes many of the eating issues stem from the fact that some children with autism have a more sensitive taste system. For example, one reason many children with autism refuse green vegetables, such as spinach and broccoli, is that those foods can be bitter to their taste buds.

“This can be a lifetime of challenges that hopefully get better over time.

Feeding therapy is a long-term process,” Eggerding says. “By the time you get to feeding therapy, there has often been a whole history of negative experiences that haven’t been effective.”

Parents have an instinctual need to feed their children because it connects them to their role of nourishing their children. “When the experience goes badly, it can be extremely overwhelming,” she says.

3

Tips on How to Deal With Eating Problems.

1. Bring back old favorites. Start with foods the child has eaten in the most recent past before his or her diet became extremely narrow.

2. Go slow. Many therapists will start with having the child touch, smell or lick the food before he or she ever takes a tiny bite.

3. Alter one variable. Graduate from regular French fries to sweet potato fries or cubed sweet potatoes. If the child eats vanilla yogurt, introduce banana or another light color yogurt.

Debra Wallace is a freelance writer.

Log on to MetroKids.com/EatingProblems to see how to help a finicky typical child eat better.

SpecialKids 2018

The Main Line's home for traditional day camp fun with social skills support, training and therapy built-in.

For kids with or without diagnoses of HFA, Aspergers, ADHD & learning differences.

For ages 6-16.

ENRICHING LIVES THROUGH THE ARTS!

SERVICES OFFERED Music Therapy Sessions Adapted Music Lessons Adapted Zumba ALSO OFFERING

View a sample class, parent and teacher testimonials, full schedule of classes and locations, and sign up for our monthly email newsletter on our website!

7 North Five Points Road West Chester, PA 19380 (610) 344-7030

NOW ENROLLING!

Innovative social skills therapy with heART Mike

Fogel's highly effective "Art of Friendship" social skills therapy program provides weekly peer-group therapy and individual/ family counseling. Offices in Haverford, Plymouth Meeting, Paoli and Center City for ages 4-19.

artoffriendshipsocialskills.com DIVISIONS OF CFATC

Administrative Offices: 600 Haverford Road, Suite G101 • Haverford, PA 19041 610-649-1080 • fax: 610-649-0503

215.644.9176

ADDITIONAL SATELLITE LOCATIONS: King of Prussia, Lancaster County, Southern Chester County

www.tempotherapy.com

(610) 334-7030

BE IN THE KNOW! Sign up for our biweekly e-blasts for local special needs coverage and fantastic area events.

Go to MetroKids.com/enews and select Special Needs Update under Email Lists.

Art psychotherapy for children, families and individuals

 developmental delays and

PROVIDING creative solutions and support for emotional well-being and social development.

 anxiety and depression  challenging behaviors  gender identity conflicts  adjustments and transitions

1226 S. BROAD STREET, PHILADELPHIA

REGISTER ONLINE FOR FREE SCREENING OR CLASS!

SPECIALTIES

autism spectrum disorders

OFFERING

 individual and family therapy  social skills groups  workshops and seminars  professional development  community outreach  Spark: school-based art therapy

7.5x1_Provider Feature Ad.indd 1 CHILD GUIDANCE RESOURCE CENTERS

provides high quality communitybased behavioral healthcare services for children, adolescents, and families with mental health, developmental disability, and residential needs across Southeastern Pennsylvania. CGRC offers more than 20 different treatment services, many evidence-based including ABA, Trauma focused CBT, Parent Child Interaction Therapy, and Pivotal Response Therapy and CREATE, a socialization/ communication group. Next Steps Center offers comprehensive neuropsychological and developmental assessments without delays; a complete autism evaluation can be completed in as little six weeks. For more info contact 484-454-8700 info@cgrc.org

3/28/18 11:19 AM

Prompt & Play, LLC soon to be known as Socially Well Counseling & Wellness Center provides a safe place for children and young adults to develop social and daily living skills through exploration and direction. Services for 3 into adulthood include individual sessions, social and life skills groups, camps, transition programs, and much more.

5157 W. Woodmill Dr., Suite 16 • Wilmington, DE 19808 (302) 691-5658 • www.promptandplay.com Now accepting insurance

SpecialKids 2018

MetroKids.com/SpecialKids 55

Recreation

TIPS FOR TRAVELING

With Your Child

With Special Needs

By Amy Kelly Summer is the perfect time to take a break and enjoy a vacation filled with fun, relaxation and adventure for the whole family.

When it comes to travelling, any parent’s goal is to create lifelong memories for themselves and, of course, for their children.

However, vacations consist of irregular schedules and unfamiliar locations, which can be difficult to navigate for a child with special needs. To help ease this transition, below are five essential tips to follow when traveling with your child with autism or other special needs.

• Keep your child in mind when you select a destination: All children are different, just as all children with disabili-

ties are different. Some might prefer a busy amusement park with many sights, sounds and smells, while others might find this type of environment overwhelming. Remember that new and unexpected experiences could result in a meltdown, so no matter what you’re planning, keep your child involved every step of the way.

This will give your child a sense of what to expect during the trip.

In addition, try to align the activities you choose with your child’s attention span and sensory-process capabilities. And be aware of how many excursions you plan, as too many activities could lead to higher levels of stress for your child and your whole family.

•

Practice travel methods: Methods of travel a child might not be used to – such as planes or trains – could be difficult for a child to comprehend. If you plan to travel using a mode of transportation that is atypical, it’s a great idea to practice before the big trip. Airports and train stations can be very accommodating when it comes to simulating the experience for children with disabilities. Assure your child that this is a fun adventure you are taking together and move through every step as you would if it were the real thing. At the airport, this means wheeling your own suitcases, getting your tickets, going through security, waiting at the gate and boarding the plane. Each step takes patience and an explanation that should make your child feel more comfortable.

•

Pack the essentials: Create a checklist before you leave to make sure nothing gets left behind. This includes the basics – clothes, socks, underwear, shoes and a toothbrush – but also any communication devices, iPads, sensory/fidget toys or other items that will help soothe your child. Also remember to pack special foods, treats, stuffed animals or toys that provide calm and comfort. All of these items will help avoid a tantrum, give your child 56 MetroKids.com/SpecialKids

the distraction he or she may need, and bring a familiar piece of home with them.

•

Set aside time for routine activities: Vacations are out of the ordinary for everyone involved. But where you or I may find vacations relaxing, a child with a disability may feel increased stress due to uncertainty and unfamiliarity. It’s helpful to keep your child’s home routine in mind. Do they get tired or restless at specific times? Do they exercise in the afternoon or read in the morning? Try to bring some normality to the situation by setting aside time for naps, play time or something they would typically do at home. This scheduled down time will ensure you don’t overlook the activity (or lack of activity) and will help avoid potential issues during the day.

•

Be prepared – and have fun! As you develop a vacation itinerary, it’s a good idea to call each location (waterparks, theme parks, craft sessions, etc.) ahead of time to tell them when you are coming and to discuss your family’s needs. Some locations might offer access to certain rooms, lanes or areas, and they might even have a routine/process they use when entertaining children with disabilities. All the preparation in the world might not stop an occasional meltdown but the most important thing is to have fun and enjoy this special time with your family.

Planning a vacation and taking time off should be fun, so bring the whole family together, pick a destination and explore all there is to offer in a new and exciting location.

Amy Kelly is Devereux Advanced Behavioral’s Health Director of Family and Community Services

SpecialKids 2018

OPEN DOORS FOR ALL The YMCA of Greater Brandywine partners with individuals and families with unique abilities to develop programming to meet their needs.

We offer the support needed to find success, joy and friendships.

A wide variety of diversability programs are available at each of our Chester County locations: • Gymnastics • Non-competitive fitness • Swimming (beginner, intermediate and advanced) • Fun, social activities and events at the Y and in the community • So much more!

The YMCA is a cause-driven charitable organization that provides financial assistance for programs. Ask us for details.

BRANDYWINE YMCA • JENNERSVILLE YMCA • KENNETT AREA YMCA LIONVILLE COMMUNITY YMCA • OSCAR LASKO YMCA & CHILDCARE CENTER UPPER MAIN LINE YMCA • WEST CHESTER AREA YMCA

www.ymcagbw.org Proud partner of the

branches of the YMCA of Greater Brandywine

Become an

Insider

You’ll be the first to hear about exciting events and exclusive offers throughout the Delaware Valley and your neighborhood.

MetroKids.com/SpecialKids

ADAPTIVE ART STUDIO

Resources • Advice • Community

Bridging Capabilities & Imagination

SpecialKids 2018

MetroKids.com/SpecialKids 57

RECREATION Artistic, athletic, therapeutic and other extracurricular activities.

Academy of Natural Sciences, The

Arden Theatre Company

Bouncing Off the Walls

Multisensory displays, events & materials help kids navigate the museum.

ASL-interpreted performances & captioning.

On the third Wed. monthly, take advantage of the sensory toys, gym mats, imaginative play and moon bounces during the Friends with Special Needs Night. Everyone can play in a safe, fun environment while meeting with various special needs agencies to discuss questions and concerns.

1900 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy., Phila. 19103 215-299-1000 Ansp.org

Acting Antics

PO Box 545, Broomall, PA 19008 610-924-4219 Actingantics.org

Music, drama & dance promotes social skills.

PreK to adult.

Acting Without Boundaries

750 E. Haverford Rd., Bryn Mawr, PA 19010 610-922-8240 Actingwithoutboundaries.org Theatre programs for people with physical disabilities.

Action Karate

1800 Bridgetown Pk., Feasterville, PA 19053 215-355-5003 Actionkarate.net

8919 New Falls Rd., Levittown, PA 19054 215-946-3432 Bouncingoffthewalls.com

40 N. 2nd St., Phila. 19106 215-922-1122 Ardentheatre.org

Arnold’s Family Fun Center

2200 West Dr., Oaks, PA 19456 610-666-0600 Arnoldsffc.com Accessible fun center.

Brad Hennefer Golf for Life Foundation, The

Art-Reach

1115 Yardley Rd., Cherry Hill, NJ 08034 856-354-0584 Golfforlife.org

1501 Cherry St., Phila. 19102 267-515-6720 Art-reach.org

Golfing opportunities for people with Down syndrome.

Connects underserved audiences with arts programming.

Bucks County Children’s Museum

Autism Society of America Sensory-Friendly Films

500 Union Square, New Hope, PA 18938 215-693-1290 Buckskids.org

1149 Franklin Mills Cir., Phila. 19154 Amctheatres.com/SFF

Autism Support Guide PDF details exhibits in a storybook format.

Special needs classes offered at several area locations.

Monthly kids film screenings in a comfortable setting.

Alapocas Run State Park

Autistic Support Playground at Primos

All-abilities programs & adaptive playground.

Playground for kids with ADS open to the public after school hours.

1914 West Park Dr., Wilmington, DE 19803 302-577-1164 Destateparks.com/park/alapocas-run/

All Riders Up

861 Bunting Ln , Primos, PA 19018 610-622-6755 Facebook.com/primosplayground/

Burlington Cty. YMCA Swim Program 302 Commerce Square Blvd.

Burlington, NJ 08106 856-231-9622 Ymca-bc.org/content/programs_classes/ swimming.asp

Offers swim lessons for children with disabilities.

265 Mattson Rd., Garnet Valley, PA 19060 610-459-0879 Allridersup.org

Barn at Spring Brook Farm, The

Ambler Music Academy

Animal-assisted after school programs, camp, events & field trips.

Music therapy & special arts.

Beyond Balance

Center for Therapeutic & Educational Riding

Equine-assisted activities.

351 E. Butler Ave., Ambler, PA 19002 267-460-5224 Amblermusicacademy.com

Music therapy for students with disabilities.

American DanceWheels Foundation PO Box 88, Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004 215-588-6671 Americandancewheels.org

Visiting wheelchair ballroom dance programs.

Center for the Creative Arts

360 Locust Grove Rd., West Chester, PA, 19382 610-793-1037 Springbrook-farm.org

410 Upper Snuff Mill Row & Rte. 82, Yorklyn, DE, 19736 302-239-2434 Ccarts.org

1148 Smithville Rd., Mount Holly, NJ 08060 609-969-8899 Beyondbalance.org

3491 Harris Rd., Townsend, DE 19734 302-376-9594

Thecenterfortherapeuticriding.com Therapeutic equine & animal activities.

Equine therapy & riding.

Center on Central, The

Blind Sports Organization

American Helicopter Museum & Education Center.

465 Maplewood Rd., Springfield, PA 19064 302-836-5784 Blindsports.org

Wheelchair-accessible helicopter exhibits.

BounceU

American Wheelchair Bowling Assoc.

Kids with special needs can take part in dedicated events and enjoy bouncing in a sensory-rich environment. NJ’s Sensory Rebound is held the first Tues. of every month; PA’s Sensory Bounce encourages kids with autism spectrum and sensory processing disorders to get a workout and socialize.

1220 American Blvd., West Chester, PA 19380 610-436-9600 Americanhelicopter.museum

16006 Congo Ln., Houston, TX 77040 713-849-9052 Awba.org Promotes wheelchair bowling.

58 MetroKids.com/SpecialKids

Recreation, fitness, & sports for the blind & visually impaired.

24 W. Central Ave., Paoli, PA 19301 610-710-1487 Thecenteroncentral.com

Special needs & social skills groups art & music programs.

Central Bucks Family YMCA

Bounceu.com

= Bilingual Service

2500 Lower State Rd. Doylestown, PA 18901 215-348-8131, ext. 1136 Cbfymca.org Offers adapted activities.

= Evaluations

= Support

= Vocational Training

RECREATION Artistic, athletic, therapeutic and other extracurricular activities.

Citizens Bank Park

Flying High Equestrian Therapy, Inc.

Hillside Park

Recreational & therapeutic horse riding.

All-abilities equipment & proximity to two all-access fishing piers.

342 Level Rd., Collegeville, PA 19426 610-489-5701

1 Citizens Bank Way, Phila., PA 19148 Mlb.com/phillies/ballpark/information/ disability-access-guide

Closed-captioning, assisted listening & access guides available.

Fort Medford - Bob Meyer Memorial Park

Gravelly Hollow Rd., Medford, NJ 08055 609-654-2608 Medfordtownship.com

Compassionate Friends TRC 40 Cooper Tomlinson Rd., Medford, NJ 08055 609-320-5363; Cftrc.org

Features ramps, a sway boat, roller slide & accessible picnic tables.

Equine therapy.

Freedom Playground

Delaware Children’s Museum

Parkview Dr., Haverford, PA 19041 610-446-9397 Haverfordtownship.org

550 Justison St., Wilmington, DE 19801 302-654-2340 Delawarechildrensmuseum.org

Community playground features sensory activities & treehouse with rocking deck.

Features a wheelchair-accessible climbing structure.

Garden of 5 Senses, Central Park

Delaware Theatre Company

1050 Rockford Rd., Lancaster, PA, 17602 717-299-8215 Lancastercountyparks.org

200 Water St., Wilmington, DE 19801 302-594-1104 Delawaretheatre.org

Wheelchair-accessible garden accommodates the visually impaired.

Wheelchair-accessible theater, with seating accommodations available upon request.

Features special programs for people with cognitive disabilities.

Garden State Discovery Museum

2040 Springdale Rd., Cherry Hill, NJ 08003 856-424-1233 Discoverymuseum.com

Disabled Sports USA

451 Hungerford Dr., Suite 608 Rockville, MD 20850; 301-217-0960 Disabledsportsusa.org

Programs for children with autism offer free admission & sensory activities.

Girl Scouts of the Chesapeake Bay

Adaptive sports & opportunities.

Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom

3830 Dorney Park Rd., Allentown, PA 18104 610-395-3724 Dorneypark.com Boarding Pass avoids lines.

225 Old Baltimore Pike, Newark, DE 19702 302-456-7150 Gscb.org Wholeheartedly welcomes girls with special needs.

Grounds for Sculpture

Doylestown Rock Gym

3853 Old Easton Rd., Doylestown, PA 18902 215-230-9085 Doylestownrockgym.com

80 Sculptors Way, Hamilton, NJ 08619 609-586-0616 Groundsforsculpture.org

Adaptive climbing.

Offers vehicles, Touch Tours & accessibility brochures & maps.

Dream Park

Guided Tour, Inc., The

Equine therapy program for kids 4+ with disabilities.

Supervised vacations for ages 17+ with special needs.

400 U.S. Rte. 130; Logan Twp., NJ 08085 856-241-1415 Dreamparknj.com

Everybody’s Playground

Handicapped Scuba Assoc. of NJ

540 Dresher Rd., Horsham, PA 19044 215-643-3131 Horshamrec.com

16 Afton Rd., Jackson, NJ 08527 732-928-0461; Hsanjscuba.com

Features an extensive ramping system & glider.

Expressive Hand, The

622 S. 9th St., Phila. 19147 267-519-2626 Expressivehand.com

= Evaluations

Recreational diving & free weekly classes for people with disabilities.

Happy Hearts Yoga

Various PA locations Happyheartsyoga.com

Programs at Paint-your-own pottery/ASL studio.

= Bilingual Service

7900 Old York Rd., Elkins Park, PA 19027 215-782-1370 Guidedtour.com

Yoga program specializing in children with ASD.

= Support

= Vocational Training

1188 Winola Rd., S. Abington Twp., PA 18411 Hillsidepark.net

Hope Springs Equestrian Therapy, Inc. 1800 Art School Rd., Chester Springs, PA 19425 610-827-0931 Hope-springs.org

Hope Springs Equestrian Therapy, Inc. has programs that work with children and adults with disabilities. Every one-hour lesson is tailored to each student’s abilities, and special requirements and goals.

See our ad, p. 61

Ivy Hill Therapeutic Equestrian Center 1811 Mill Road, Perkasie, PA 18944 215-822-2515, Ivyhillequestrian.org

ICanShine

PO Box 541, Paoli, PA 19301 Icanshine.org

Teaches people with disabilities to ride bikes.

Imagination Kingdom Playground 501 Pemberton-Browns Mills Rd., Pemberton, NJ, 08068 215-382-9800

Castle play area with ground-level activities.

Jake’s Place

101 Bortons Mill Rd., Cherry Hill, NJ 08034 856-662-4418; Buildjakesplace.org Boundless playground adjacent to all-abilities baseball complex.

James A. Michener Art Museum

138 S. Pine St., Doylestown, PA, 18901 215-340-9800 Michenermuseum.org Touch tours, sign-language interpretation, Braille brochures.

Jubilation Creations, Inc.

at Jubili Beads & Yarns 713 Haddon Ave., Collingswood, NJ 08108 856-240-1558; Jubilationcreations.org Arts & crafts, yoga classes for special needs.

Kaleidoscope Adapted Art Studio

310 Kiamensi Rd., Wilmington, DE 19804 302-995-7661 Nccde.org/artstudio

Art Therapy Express and New Castle County Department of Community Services have partnered to provide art opportunities using adapted devices and media. In a professional studio, art therapist Lisa Bartoli provides art instruction and support, increasing creativity, self-esteem and self-expression.

See our ad, p. 57

MetroKids.com/SpecialKids 59

RECREATION Artistic, athletic, therapeutic and other extracurricular activities.

Kaleidoscope Therapeutic Riding Program 21 Branin Rd., Medford, NJ 08055 609-923-7847; Kaleidoscopetr.com Offers equine assisted activities.

Katz JCC

1301 Springdale Rd., Cherry Hill, NJ 08003 856-424-4444; Katzjcc.org Provides a special needs basketball team & inclusive events.

Kids at Play PA

3502 Scotts Lane, Phila. 19129 610-628-0005; Kidsatplaypa.com

A sensory gym for toddlers to age 12.

KidZooU / Philadelphia Zoo

3400 W. Girard Ave., Phila. 19104 215-243-1100; Philadelphiazoo.org

Offers signage with pictures, braille & ASL; social stories; visual schedules & an accessibility map.

Knoebels

391 Knoebels Blvd., Elysburg, PA 17824 800-487-4386 Knoebels.com

Offers a quiet area, an accessibility guide & Courtesy Pass.

Labrador Hill Farm, LLC

1625 Conrad Ave., Waterford, NJ 08089 856-768-9980 Labradorhill.com Therapeutic horse riding & equine-assisted therapy.

Markeim Arts Center

PAWS for People

Wheelchair-accessible theater with special needs classes.

Animal therapy org. recruits, trains, certifies & places teams.

Mary Campbell Center

Pegasus Therapeutic Riding Academy, Inc.

Recreation & social programs for ages 3-21.

Year-round therapeutic riding program with indoor arena with a specialized autism program.

104 Walnut St., Haddonfield, NJ 08033 856-429-8585; Markeimartscenter.org

PO Box 9955, Newark, DE 19714 302-351-5622; Pawsforpeople.org

8297 Bustleton Ave., Phila. 19152 215-742-1500 Pegasusridingacademy.com

4641 Weldin Rd., Wilmington, DE 19803 302-762-6025 Marycampbellcenter.org

Morgan’s Wonderland

5223 David Edwards Dr., San Antonio, TX 78233 210-495-5888 Morganswonderland.com

Pennsylvania Center for Adapted Sports

Mount Laurel United Soccer Assoc.

216 Finance Bldg., Harrisburg, PA 17120 717-787-6883; Arts.pa.gov

#4 Boathouse Row, Kelly Dr., Phila. 19130 215-765-5118; Centeronline.com Skiing, sled hockey, hand & tandem cycling, indoor climbing.

All-abilities theme park designed for people with special needs.

Pennsylvania Council on the Arts

3111 Route 38, Mt. Laurel, NJ 08054 856-336-5415; Mlusoccer.org

Funds teaching orgs & artists.

Soccer program for ages 5-13 with disabilities.

Philadelphia Museum of Art

2600 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy, Phila.19130 215-763-8100 Philamuseum.org/accessibility

My Gym

138 Eagleview Blvd., Exton, PA 19353 484-696-2450 Mygym.com/lionville

Hosts a special needs class with a preparatory social story, available upon request.

National Aquarium

501 E. Pratt St., Baltimore, MD 21202 410-576-8745; Aqua.org

Guided adapted, touch tours, Hands-On Object Kits & ASL interpreters available.

Please Touch Museum

4231 Ave. of the Republic, Phila.19131 215-581-3181 Pleasetouchmuseum.org/visit/accessibility

Hosts Deaf Awareness Days, offers accessibility guides and maps are marked with a wheelchair/stroller route.

Provides trained staff, quiet space, sensory games & downloadable stories & gallery maps.

National Skeet Shooting Assoc.

Features mobile captioning devices & Braille info guides.

5931 Roft Rd., San Antonio, TX 78253 210-688-3371; Mynssa.com

People with disabilities are encouraged to join if they can shoulder a gun & shoot safely.

35 Market Pl., Baltimore, MD 21202 410-727-8120 Portdiscovery.org

Little League Challenger Division

One Step at a Time

Riding High Farm

Therapeutic horse riding facility.

Provides recreational & therapeutic horse back riding for those with special needs.

Parkwood Therapeutic Riding Center

Sahara Sam’s Oasis Indoor Water Park

Provides therapeutic horseback riding for children and adults with disabilities as well as able-bodied riding.

Hosts special play nights with modified lighting & sound.

PATH International

100 Sesame Rd., Langhorne, PA 19047 215-702-ELMO (702-3566) Sesameplace.com

Lincoln Financial Field

1 NovaCare Way, Phila. 19145 267-570-4400 Lincolnfinancialfield.com

Littleleague.org/media/challenger.htm County chapters let kids ages 4-18 with disabilities play adaptive team baseball.

LittleSPORT

121 E. Kings Hwy., Maple Shade Twp., NJ 08052 856-234-6445 Littlesport.net Program offers guided play and team- building sports & exercise.

Main Line Art Center

746 Panmure Rd., Haverford, PA 19041 610-525-0272; Mainlineart.org Accessible Art Programs for children

.

SpecialKidsMagazine

60 MetroKids.com/SpecialKids

Award-winning special needs programs offers Scripted Stories and Designated Days for Kids.

Sugar Bottom Farm, 1515 Sugar Bottom Road, Furlong, PA, 18925 267-994-7191 Osatriding.org/home.html

3142 Mechanicsville Rd., Phila. 19154 215-715-612; ParkwoodTRC.com

PO Box 33150, Denver, CO 80233 800-369-7433; Pathintl.org

Locates local centers with equine-assisted activities for the disabled.

= Bilingual Service

Port Discovery Children’s Museum

145 Country Rd. 526, Allentown, NJ 08501 609-259-3884 Ridinghighfarm.org

535 N. Rte. 73, West Berlin, NJ 08091 856-767-7580; Saharasams.com

Sesame Place

Sensory Guide, Quiet Rooms, Ride Accessibility, Special Access, viewing area for parades and an online accessibility guide. = Evaluations

= Support

= Vocational Training

RECREATION Artistic, athletic, therapeutic and other extracurricular activities.

SHADOW Equestrian

Sports n’ Spokes

Wells Fargo Center

Therapeutic riding instruction by appointment.

Magazine about wheelchair athletics.

Sensory Kits available as well as headsets & receivers. Wheelchair & companion seating.

1907 Monroeville Rd.Monroeville, NJ 08343 856-649-4034 Shadowequestrian.org

Ski For Light (SFL)

1455 W. Lake St., Minneapolis, MN 55408 612-827-3232; Sfl.org Cross-country skiing for blind, visually & mobility-impaired people.

2111 E. Highland Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85016 888-888-2201 Sportsnspokes.com

STEPS, Garfield Park Academy

24 Glenolden Ln., Willingboro, NJ, 08046 609-877-4111 Steps4living.org After-hours program for young adults and adults with disabilities.

SkyZone

See our ads, pp. 2,29

Various Locations Skyzone.com

Sunnyside Equestrian Center, Special People United to Ride Inc. (SPUR)

Trampoline park with Special Needs Sensory Friendly nights.

628 Middleton Lincroft Rd. Lincroft, NJ, 07738 732-224-1367 Spuronline.org

Smith Memorial Playground & Playhouse

3500 Reservoir Dr., Phila. 19121 215-765-4325; Smithplayground.org

Playground accommodates special needs with equipment designed for wheelchairs.

Southern Delaware T.R.H.R.

Therapeutic riding lessons for people with developmental disabilities age 4+.

Tempo! Music Therapy Services, offering Music Together

7 N. Five Points Rd., West Chester, PA 19380 610-344-7030 Tempotherapy.com

17170 Harbeson Rd., Milton, DE 19968 302-644-1920 Sdtrhr.com

Enriching lives through the arts: music therapy sessions, adapted music lessons, and adapted Zumba. Locations in King of Prussia, Pa & Nutley, NJ. Individual & Group music lessons.

Therapeutic & recreational horse back riding.

Special Olympics

1133 19th St. NW, Washington, DC 20036 202-628-3630; Specialolympics.org Delaware: 619 S. College Ave., Newark, DE 19716 302-831-4653; Sode.org New Jersey: 1 Eunice Kennedy Shriver Way., Lawrenceville, NJ 08648 609-896-8000; Sonj.org

Pennsylvania:

2570 Blvd. of the Generals, Norristown, PA 19403 610-630-9450; Specialolympicspa.org

See our ad, p. 55

Theatre Horizon

401 DeKalb St., Norristown, PA 19401 610-283-2230 Theatrehorizon.org

Autism Drama Program.

Thorncroft Therapeutic Horseback Riding 190 Line Rd., Malvern, PA 19355 610-644-1963 Thorncroft.org

Sports training & athletic competition for children & adults with intellectual disabilities.

Therapeutic lessons & camp.

Walnut Street Theatre

Special Teens Project

PO Box 292, Langhorne, PA 19047 215-788-6383 Facebook.com/SpecialTeensPA

825 Walnut St., Phila., PA 19107 215-574-3550 Walnutstreettheatre.org

Trips, recreation & bowling league for kids 13+ with learning, intellectual & hearing disabilities.

Offers ASL-interpreted performances & accessible seating.

Special Needs Schools, Services & Resources metrokids.com/specialkids = Bilingual Service

= Evaluations

= Support

= Vocational Training

3601 S. Broad St., Phila., PA 19148 215-336-3600 Wellsfargocenterphilly.com

Wheelchair Sports Program

150 New Providence Rd., Mountainside, NJ 07092 888-244-5373 Childrens-specialized.org

Lightning Wheels & sports, including track & field and swimming, for ages 5-21.

Wilderness on Wheels Foundation

45954 US 285, Grant, CO 80448 303-403-1110 Wildernessonwheels.org

Wilderness access for disabled people.

Winterthur Museum

5105 Kennett Pike, Winterthur, DE 19735 800-448-3883 Winterthur.org

Verbally-described exhibit tours for the blind & a Touch-It room.

Wissahickon Valley Public Library

650 Skippack Pike, Blue Bell, PA 19422 215-643-1320 Wvpl.org

Wheelchair-accessible library with quiet rooms inclusive events.

YMCA Ability Program

Various Locations 215-963-3700 Philaymca.org/programs/ability-programs Offers swim lessons and other activities for children with disabilities.

YMCA of Greater Brandywine ymcagbw.org

The YMCA of Greater Brandywine is an association of eight YMCAs in Chester County that offers life-changing programs for all. Adaptive programs in fitness, sports, swim and more are   available.

See our ad, p. 57

SpecialKidsMagazine

 1800 Art School roAd  cheSter SpringS, pA 19425 

610-827-0931

www.hope-SpringS.org

MetroKids.com/SpecialKids 61

RESIDENTIAL Long-term care in both medical and non-medical living environments, including pediatric nursing facilities.

Bellwether Behavioral Health

Gaudenzia, Inc.

St. Edmond’s Home for Children

A residential, special education program for individuals with exceptional behavioral & developmental challenges.

Residential or outpatient substance issues & mental health services.

24-hour nursing and therapeutic services for children with intellectual disabilities who are medically fragile.

Brian’s House, Inc.

2600 Wayland Rd., Berwyn, PA 19312 610-325-2937

4185 Kirkwood-St. George’s Rd. Bear, DE 19701 302-834-7018; Bellbh.com

757 Springdale Dr, Exton, PA 19341 610-399-1175; Brianshouse.org

ChildWay

607 E. Main St., Lansdale, PA 19446 215-362-4950 Childway.org

ChildWay is a personalized, home-like setting providing individualized care to meet the special medical needs of each child exclusively.

Exceptional Care for Children

106 W. Main St., Norristown PA 19401 610-239-9600 Gaudenzia.org

320 S. Roberts Rd., Rosemont, PA 19010 610-525-8800 Stedmondshome.org

Melmark School, The

theVillage

Cares for children with autism, intellectual disabilities, brain injuries and other neurological and genetic diagnoses. Melmark.org

Pediatric Specialty Care

90 Cafferty Rd., Point Pleasant, PA 18950 215-297-5555 Pediatricspecialty.com

24-hour subacute care for children with severe pulmonary impairments, physical disabilities & special needs.

See our ad, below

11 Independence Way Newark, DE 19713 302-894-1001 Exceptionalcare.org

Philadelphia Independence Network

The first and only pediatric, skilled nursing facility in Delaware features 31 rooms. ECC provides long-term, transitional, palliative, and end-of-life care to technology dependent children and their families.

9350 Ashton Rd., Phila. 19114 267-350-8600 Jevshumanservices.org/program/ philadelphia-independence-network-pin/

452 S. Roberts Rd., Rosemont, PA 19010 610-525-5400 Village1877.org

Voorhees Pediatric Facility

1304 Laurel Oak Rd., Voorhees, NJ 08043 888-873-5437; Forkidcare.com

Wanaque Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation

1433 Ringwood Ave., Haskell, NJ 07420 973-839-2119 Wanaquerehab.com

Skilled nursing facility specializing in sub-acute & long-term care.

Support for young adults with disabilities.

SpecialKidsMagazine

    

www.pediatricspecialty.com 62 MetroKids.com/SpecialKids

= Bilingual Service

= Evaluations

= Support

= Vocational Training

TRANSPORTATION Transportation services for the special needs community.

Advanced Wheels

Greyhound

SEPTA CCT Connect

Provides quality sales and service of mobility vehicles.

For wheelchair assistance on Greyhound service, call 48 hours prior to departure.

ADA-compliant paratransit services. Disability must prevent usage of a regular bus service.

AMTRAK Northeast Corridor

Medical Assistance Transportation Program, Community Transit of Delaware Co.

Suburban Transit Network, Inc.

6 Old Palmer Rd., Brimfield, MA 01010 877-943-3573 Advancedwheels.com

PO Box 660362, Dallas, TX 75266 800-752-4841 Greyhound.com

2955 Market St., Phila. 19104 800-872-7245 Amtrak.com

For wheelchair assistance, transfer-accessible seating and rooms, call 72 hours prior to departure.

1501 Narcissa Rd., Blue Bell, PA 19422 215-358-1900 Angelflighteast.org

Nonprofit provides free air transportation to medical treatment facilities through a network of volunteer private pilots.

Brunswick Mobility Professionals

1490 U.S. Highway 1 North, North Brunswick, NJ 08902 732-545-6300, ext. 403 Brunswickmobility.com

GM Mobility Program

Offers up to $1,000 reimbursement for adaptive mobility equipment with purchase of new GM vehicle.

Free air transportation to specialized treatment centers for lower income, seriously ill children.

U.S. Dept. of Transportation

5740 S. Eastern Ave., Las Vegas, NV 89119 800-359-1711 Miracleflights.org

Offers accessible vehicles, scooters & other mobility products.

Mobility Works

Free shared ride transportation for residents on medical assistance and discounted rides for those with disabilities.

PO Box 5053, Troy, MI 48007 800-323-9935 Gmmobility.com

Miracle Flights for Kids

1331 F St. NW, Washington, DC 20004 800-872-2253 Access-board.gov

11448 N. Main St. Ext. Glen Rock, PA 17327 800-243-6487 Mitscorp.com

Bucks County Transport, Inc.

PO Box 510, Holicong, PA 18928 888-795-0740 Bctransport.org

Community transportation in Montgomery Co. that accommodates special transit needs.

Mobility Independent Transportation System

Wheelchair accessible vans, adaptive driving equipment, service, repair & modification.

980 Harvest Dr., Blue Bell, PA 19422 215-542-7433 Suburbantransit.org

206 Eddystone Ave., Crum Lynne, PA 19022 610-490-3975 Ctdelco.org Provides non-emergency medical transportation and travel reimbursement for Delaware Co. ACCESS cardholders.

Angel Flight East

1234 Market St., Phila.19107 215-580-7145 Septa.org/service/cct

1010 Contractors Way, Bear, DE 19701 2303 Wallace Blvd., Cinnaminson, NJ 08077 925 S. Trooper Rd., Norristown, PA 19403 1549 Gateway Blvd., Woodbury NJ 08096 877-275-4907 Mobilityworks.com National chain that sells, repairs & outfits accessible vehicles.

Like

U.S. Access Board, The

Independent federal agency devoted to accessibility in communications, transportation & infrastructure.

1200 New Jersey Ave. SE, Washington, DC 20590 855-368-4200 Transportation.gov

Provides transportation information, programs & services.

Vantage Mobility International

5202 S. 28th Place, Phoenix, AZ 85040 800-864-8267 Vantagemobility.com

Outfits accessible vans & sells mobility equipment.

Wheelchair Getaways

PO Box 1098, Mukilteo, WA 98275 800-856-5518 Wheelchairgetaways.com

Provides wheelchair-accessible van rentals.

Philadelphia location also services South NJ and DE.

Follow

.com

Visit

BE IN THE KNOW! Sign up for our biweekly

e-blasts for local special needs coverage and fantastic area events.

Go to MetroKids.com/enews and select Special Needs Update under Email Lists. = Bilingual Service

= Evaluations

= Support

= Vocational Training

MetroKids.com/SpecialKids 63

Vocational

Exceptional Entrepreneurs Start a Business, Create a Career Path

By Debra Wallace As a loving mom, Sue Tuckerman says she is deeply concerned about the “astronomical unemployment rate” for adults with special needs. She wanted a brighter future for Mike and Eddie, her 20-yearold identical-twin sons with autism.

So, just before Christmas 2015, her Philadelphia family started a small business on the online craft site Etsy selling holiday wrapping paper designed by her sons.

Called The Tuckerboys, the business initially offered Christmas and Hanukkah wrapping paper. Then they added birthday and Valentine’s Day paper, T-shirts and coffee mugs, all designed by her sons.

“Ever since my boys were little they liked to draw, and were pretty good at it,” says Tuckerman. “We wanted to use their strengths and we hope to build a business big enough to sustain them when they finish school in a year and a half.” The boys receive vocational training at school “but in case that doesn’t work out, we wanted to have a safety net in place for them,” she says.

“When we started, we didn’t know how the boys would respond,” Tuckerman adds, “because sometimes they seem indifferent or like they’re not paying attention. But we are building skills with every aspect (of their business).

They help fill orders and write thank-you notes and receipts.

“This has been so much more successful than we thought it would be.

The interaction and pride we see on their faces when they are selling their items at vendor events is simply priceless.”

Learn to work at a young age

A 2015 United Nations study estimated that 80 percent of adults with autism are unemployed. A 2013 Drexel University study had similar findings. This high unemployment rate and lack of a sense of purpose for teens and adults with special needs is a major concern of autism expert

64 MetroKids.com/SpecialKids

Temple Grandin, PhD, a Colorado State University professor.

“I’m seeing two pathways: Either they learn how to work at an early age and do really well in the workplace, or they are in the bedroom or basement playing video games,” observes Grandin, a noted author who has a form of autism.

Brew a new business

Inspired two years ago by his daughter, Alicia, 29, who has autism, Jim Wurster became interested in starting a bakery-café. By his side was his friend, Tom Reinke, whose daughter, Mary Beth, 27, has cerebral palsy.

“As parents we looked for long-term solutions, because the hard, cold truth is that someone needs to be around for our daughters when we are gone,” says Wurster.

“The keys for our children are just like they are for anyone’s grown kids: socialization, employment, housing and transportation, and all of these fit together. The mission here is to make their lives better.”

Wurster connected with Dave Baldwin of Furnace Hills Coffee in Westminster, MD, a business that Baldwin started for his adult daughter, who has Down syndrome, and plans began to gel.

Working through the New Avenue Foundation, Wurster teamed up with restaurateur Frank Agovino, and last May launched the Media Bean Company in Media, PA. It employs workers with disabilities and aims to spread a message of acceptance.

Agovino, owner of the Media shop as well as DiFabio’s restaurant, has a 21-year-old nephew with a disability.

A portion of the Media Bean Company’s sales benefits the New Avenue Foundation. “Who knows,” says Wurster, “maybe we can change the world, with one good cup of coffee at a time?”

Create an ice-cream option

Inspired by a similar calling, Alex Viele, father of a typical boy, 16, and an 18-yearold son with autism, started the nonprofit Nightlight Foundation three years ago. It raises money for a group home in the Philadelphia suburbs for adults with autism.

Viele partnered with friends Dave Masterson, Damien Park and Daniel McGowan last June to open Nightlight Ice Cream, a seasonal ice-cream and water-ice shop in Flourtown, PA that employs teens with special needs.

“The community response has been extremely positive,” Viele says, “especially when people understand that every penny of profit from this business goes to our autism foundation. ” He hopes to expand to additional locations.

Both of Viele’s sons work at the shop.

The experience has made a positive impact, especially on his older son. “He enjoys pouring sugar and water into containers and you can see his sense of accomplishment when he is being productive. He feels pretty happy when he’s there.”

Tuckerman advises other parents and caregivers to take the entrepreneurial plunge. “If you think there is a possibility that it could work, why not try it?

With the outlook for their employment not so bright, we have to step in.”

Debra Wallace is a freelance writer.

SpecialKids 2018

VOCATIONAL Assessment, transitional training and support for older children and young adults.

Advancing Opportunities See Advocacy

Githens Center, Burlington Co. Cerebral Palsy Assoc.

Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, Pennsylvania Dept. of Labor & Industry

Helen Keller National Center for Deaf-Blind Youth & Adults

Overbrook School for the Blind

See Care

AHEDD

115 West Ave., Jenkintown, PA 19046 866-902-4333 Ahedd.org

Helps people with disabilities secure employment and provides professional development.

Arc, The Multiple Locations

See Organizations: Communication / Hearing Impairments / Social Disorders

HollyDELL, Inc.

See Early Intervention & Preschool

See organizations: All/Multiple Disabilities

Allies, Inc.

See Organizations: All/Multiple Disabilities

Autism Delaware

Horizon House Inc., Education Plus Youth See Education

International OCD Foundation

See Organizations: Emotional / Behavioral Disorders

See Advocacy

Jewish Employment & Vocational Service (JEVS Human Services)

Camp Lee Mar See Camps

1845 Walnut St., Phila. 19103 215-854-1800 Jevs.org

Camp PEP See Camps

Fosters self-sufficiency through education, training, health & rehabilitation programs.

Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired (CBVI)

See Organizations: Visual Impairments / Blind

Chronicle Guidance Publications, Inc. 66 Aurora St., Moravia, NY 13118 800-622-7284 Chronicleguidance.com

Liberty Resources, Inc.

See Organizations: All/Multiple Disabilities

Mental Health Assoc. of SE PA See Advocacy

Publishes educational, financial aid & life skills materials.

Montgomery County Behavioral Health/ Developmental Disabilities Dept.

Delaware Division of Vocational Rehabilitation

National Multiple Sclerosis Society

4425 N Market St., Wilmington, DE 19809 Dvr.delawareworks.com

See Government

See Organizations: Multiple Sclerosis

Public program assisting DE residents with physical and mental disabilities find and retain employment.

NBN Medical Boutique, The

Diversified Community Services

Networks for Training and Development, Inc.

See Organizations: Emotional / Behavioral Disorders

Division for the Visually Impaired, DE Dept. of Health and Social Services See Government

Division of Developmental Disabilities, New Jersey Dept. of Human Services See Government

Epilepsy Foundation of Eastern PA

See Organizations: Epilepsy / Seizure Disorders

Freedom Valley Disability Center See Advocacy

See Medical: Hospitals, Rehabilitation & Medical Centers

See Organizations: All/Multiple Disabilities

New Directions Early Head Start See Early Intervention & Preschool

New Jersey Commission for the Blind & Visually Impaired See Government

Norris Square Community Alliance, Children Center

= Bilingual Service

= Evaluations = Evaluations

See Early Intervention & Preschool

Parkwood Therapeutic Riding Center See Recreational

Pennsylvania Training & Technical Assistance Network (PaTTAN) See Education

Philadelphia Independence Network See Organizations: All/Multiple Disabilities

Resources for Human Development, Inc.

See Organizations: Developmental Disabilities / Down Syndrome

ServiceSource

3030 Bowers St., Wilmington, DE 19802 302-762-0300 Servicesource.org Career assessment, vocational training, job placement & retention support.

St. John of God Community Services, Archbishop Damiano School (ADS) See Early Intervention & Preschool

STEPS, Garfield Park Academy See Recreation

United Cerebral Palsy

See Organizations: Cerebral Palsy

Variety Club Camp & Developmental Center See Camps

Via of the Lehigh Valley

See Early Intervention & Preschool

VSA

See Organizations: All/Multiple Disabilities

We’ve Got What You’re

L

KING for

See Early Intervention & Preschool

Office of Special Education & Rehabilitative Services (OSERS), U.S. Dept. of Education See Government

= Bilingual Service

See Government

= Support = Vocational Training = Transportation = Support = Vocational Training

.com MetroKids.com/SpecialKids651 MetroKids.com/SpecialKids

Advertiser Index Agora Cyber Charter School ................................ 23, 32

Steps, Garfield Park Academy ........................ 61, 65

AIM Academy.................................................. 26, 31, 32

Elwyn, Inc ..................................................19, 21, 28, 36

Armstrong Pediatric Dental ....................................44, 45

Elwyn SEEDS ( Special Education for Early

Autism Delaware........................................ 6, 36, 48, 65

Developmental Success) ........................... 19, 21, 36

Autism Society Greater Philadelphia .................... 48, 72

Davidson School...................................................... 28

Autism Village ................................................................... 9

Hatchbacks ....................................................................... 9

Bancroft ............................................................18, 32, 71

Hope Springs Equistrian Therapy Inc .... 14, 36, 59, 61

The Bancroft School ................................................ 32

Neurodevelopmental Assessment Consulting, LLC ...... 55

The Bancroft School Early Education Program ......18

New Castle County Dept of Community Services

The Bancroft School Voorhees ............................... 32

Kaleidoscope Adapted Arts Studio ................ 57, 59

Benchmark School .......................................... 23, 26, 32

Overbrook School for the Blind ....... 20, 30, 31, 34, 65

Camp Huntington .....................................................12, 13

Parent to Child ................................................................ 55

Camp Lee Mar ..................................................11, 12, 65

Pathway School .............................................. 23, 30, 34

Camphill Special School ................................. 28, 31, 32

Pediatric Specialty Care......................................... 45, 62

Catastrophic Illness in Children Relief Fund ...........37, 40

Potential, Inc / Springtime School.................. 17, 25, 35

Center School, The .......................................... 26, 32, 35

Prompt & Play ..........................................................35, 55

Chester County Intermediate Unit ......................... 19, 33

Royer-Greaves School for Blind .................... 23, 30, 35

Child and Family Art Therapy Center ........................... 55

Saint Edmond’s Home for Children .............................. 62

Camp Pegasus .................................................. 13, 55

Shriners Hospital for Children ................................ 43, 45

Child Guidance Resource Centers ........................36, 55

SleepSafe Beds ................................................................. 9

Next Steps ................................................................ 36

So Love Autistic Center ............................................21, 35

Clarke Health Care Products .........................................17

Special People in Northeast, Inc./ SPIN .............. 18, 36

Coalition of Special Education Schools of

SPIN, Inc. .......................................................... 18, 20

Southern NJ, The ....................................................... 2, 29

SPIN – Autism .................................................. 18, 20

Brookfield Schools ...........................................28, 32

SPIN - Children’s Services ........................17, 18, 20

Garfield Park Academy ...........................28, 32, 61

Temple Beth Hillel - Beth El .............................................21

Garfield Park – COMPASS ................................... 32

Bright Horizons/ Let’s Play ...................... 18, 19, 21

HollyDELL .......................................... 19, 30, 34, 65

Tempo! Music Therapy Services ............................ 55, 61

Larc ...................................................................30, 34

Valley Forge Educational Services (VFES) .... 23, 36, 48

St. John of God Community Services – Archbishop

Vanguard School, The ............................. 23, 25, 36

Damiano ............................................ 20, 31, 35, 65

Weisman Children’s ................................. 17, 21, 36, 45

St. John of God Community Services (EIP) ........... 20

YMCA Main Line .................................................... 57, 61

St. John of God Community Services – Here We Grow ....................................................... 20

SpecialKidsMagazine

Thanks to our advertisers for their support. Their directory listings are designated with a teal arrow, name and description.

66 MetroKids.com/SpecialKids

SpecialKids 2018

Directory Index 4nannies.com, Inc. ....................................................................... 17

A

Aaron’s Acres ............................................................................... 12 Academic Language Therapy Assoc. ............................................ 51 Academy of Natural Sciences, The ................................................ 58 Access Services’ Children’s Crisis Support Program ....................... 15 Act of PA, LLC ................................................................................. 6 Acting Antics ............................................................................... 58 Acting Without Boundaries.............................................................. 58 Action Karate ............................................................................... 58 Action Wellness ............................................................................ 51 Advancing Opportunities ....................................................6, 36, 65 Adath Jeshurun Preschool, Kindergarten & Infant Center ............... 12 Advanced Wheels ....................................................................... 63 Advancing Opportunities .................................................................. 9 Agora Cyber Charter School............................................................. 32 AHEDD............................................................................................ 65 AIM Academy ............................................................................... 32 Alapocas Run State Park .............................................................. 58 Albert Einstein Medical Center ................................................ 36, 43 Alexander Graham Bell Assoc. for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing ............................................... 49 All Riders Up ................................................................................ 58 Alliance for the Betterment of Citizens with Disabilities ................ 46 Allies, Inc. ........................................................................... 46, 65 Ambler Music Academy ............................................................... 58 American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology ................ 51 American Academy of Audiology ................................................... 49 American Academy of Pediatrics, Pennsylvania Chapter ................... 43 American Assoc. on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities .......................................................... 50 American Bar Association, Commission on Mental and Physical Disability Law ............................................... 41 American Cancer Society ............................................................ 49 American Childhood Cancer Organization ..................................... 49 American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology ................... 51 American DanceWheels Foundation ............................................. 58 American Foundation for the Blind ............................................... 53 American Heart Association .......................................................... 51 American Helicopter Museum & Ed, Ctr........................................... 58 American Lung Assoc. in Pennsylvania ......................................... 52 American Medical Association ....................................................... 46 American Occupational Therapy Assoc. ........................................... 46 American Sexual Health Association.................................................51 American Society for Deaf Children .............................................. 49 American Speech-Language-Hearing Assoc. .................................. 49 American Wheelchair Bowling Assoc. ............................................ 58 Amica Camp ................................................................................. 12 AMTRAK Northeast Corridor .......................................................... 63 Angel Flight East .......................................................................... 63 Angel Fund, The ........................................................................... 37 Anne & Allegra Ford Thomas Scholarships .................................... 37 APM Head Start ........................................................................... 19 Arc Alliance, The ................................................................... 36, 46 Arc of Camden County .................................................................. 46 Arc of Chester County, The .................................................... 36, 46 Arc of Delaware County, The ................................................. 6, 46 Arc of Delaware, The ........................................................... 36, 46 Arc of Mercer, The ...................................................................... 46 Arc of Pennsylvania, The ..................................................... 36, 46 Arc of Salem County, The ........................................................... 46 Arc, The ............................................................................... 46, 65 Archer & Greiner, PC .................................................................... 41 Archway Programs ................................................................. 15, 32 Archway Programs: Step By Step ........................................... 18, 36

SpecialKids 2018

Arden Theatre Company ................................................................. 58 Armstrong Pediatric Dental............................................................. 43 Arnold’s Family Fun Center ........................................................... 58 Art-Reach ..................................................................................... 58 Arthritis Foundation, Eastern Pennsylvania Chapter ...................... 52 ASAH.............................................................................................. 46 ASCEND Group: The Asperger and Autism Alliance for Greater Philadelphia .................................................... 48 ASPEN: Asperger Syndrome Ed. Network ....................................... 48 ASPIRA, Inc. of Pennsylvania ........................................................ 46 Assoc. for Childhood Education Intl. ............................................ 46 Asthma & Allergy Foundation of America ..................................... 52 Asthma Camp, DE ......................................................................... 12 Athletes Helping Athletes ............................................................. 37 ATI Foundation ............................................................................. 37 Auerbach Central Agency for Jewish Education / Jewish Outreach Partnership, Special Needs Dept. .................................................. 32 Autism Care & Treatment Today ................................................... 37 Autism Cares Foundation .............................................................. 48 Autism Delaware .................................................... 6, 38, 48, 65 Autism New Jersey ....................................................................... 48 Autism Research Institute ............................................................. 48 Autism Services Center ................................................................. 48 Autism Society Greater Philadelphia ............................................. 48 Autism Society of America .......................................................... 48 Autism Society of America Sensory-Friendly Films ......................... 58 Austism Society of SW NJ .............................................................. 49 Autism Speaks ............................................................................. 48 Autism Watch ................................................................................. 49 Autistic Support Playground at Primos ......................................... 58

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Bancroft Early Intervention Program ............................................. 18 Bancroft Schoo ............................................................................... 32 Bancroft School at Voorhees Pediatric Facility ................................. 32 Band of Angels Foundation .......................................................... 50 Barber National Institute, Delaware Valley Office .......................... 50 BARC ........................................................................................... 18 Barclay Early Childhood Center ..................................................... 18 Baring House Crisis Nursery .......................................................... 15 Barn at Spring Brook Farm, The ................................................... 58 BAYADA Pediatrics ............................................................... 15, 36 Bellwether Behavioral Health ............................................... 32, 62 Belmont Behavioral Hospital........................................................... 43 Benchmark School ........................................................................ 32 Berks County Intermediate Unit #14 ........................................... 19 Best Buddies ................................................................................. 46 Beyond Balance ........................................................................... 58 Birth Defect Research for Children, Inc. ........................................ 46 Blind Sports Organization ............................................................. 58 BlindSight Delaware ..................................................................... 12 BounceU ...................................................................................... 58 Bouncing Off the Walls ................................................................ 58 Bournelyf Special Camp .............................................................. 12 Brad Hennefer Golf for Life Foundation, The ................................. 58 Braille Institute Youth Center ........................................................ 53 Brain Injury Association of Delaware ............................................ 52 Brian’s House, Inc. ....................................................................... 62 Bright Horizons / Temple Beth Hillel Beth-El .............................. 18 Bristol-Myers Squibb Children’s Hospital, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital .............................. 36, 43 Brooke Glen Behavioral Hospital .................................................... 43 Brookfield Schools ......................................................................... 32 Brunswick Mobility Professionals .................................................. 63 Bucks County Children’s Museum ................................................. 58 Bucks County Intermediate Unit #22 .......................................... 23

Bucks County LIFE Program ..........................................................

Bucks County Transport, Inc. .........................................................

BUDS: Bringing Up Down Syndrome .............................................

Burlington County YMCA Swim Program.........................................

Bush Early Education Center .........................................................

46 63 50 58 18

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Camp Achieve .............................................................................. 12 Camp Connection ......................................................................... 12 Camp Firefly ................................................................................. 12 Camp Fisher ................................................................................. 12 Camp Freedom Diabetes Camp for Kids ........................................ 12 Camp Good Days & Special Times, Inc. ........................................ 12 Camp Greentop ............................................................................ 12 Camp Huntington ......................................................................... 12 Camp JRA Camp Victory .............................................................. 12 Camp Lee Mar ..................................................................... 12, 65 Camp Lenape / Camp Manito ...................................................... 12 Camp Merry Heart ...................................................................... 12 Camp Moore ............................................................................... 12 Camp Nejeda ............................................................................... 12 Camp Nova ................................................................................. 12 Camp Oakhurst ........................................................................... 12 Camp Oasis .................................................................................. 12 Camp Pegasus .............................................................................. 12 Camp PEP ............................................................................ 12, 65 Camp Ramapo ............................................................................. 12 Camp Speers-Eljabar YMCA .......................................................... 12 Camp Sun ‘N Fun ........................................................................ 12 Camp Sunny Side ......................................................................... 12 Camp Sunrise ............................................................................... 12 Camp Victory .............................................................................. 12 Camp Wesley Woods .................................................................... 12 Camp WISP (Watson Institute Summer Program) .......................... 12 Camphill Special School ................................................................ 32 Cap4Kids ......................................................................................... 6 Capital Venture ............................................................................ 37 Capitol County Children’s Collaborative........................................... 15 Carbon Lehigh Intermediate Unit #21 ......................................... 19 Caregiver Action Network ................................................................ 46 Caring Center, The ........................................................................ 17 Carousel Farm Educational Center ............................................... 12 Carousel House ........................................................................... 14 Casa del Carmen Family Service Center ......................................... 46 Catastrophic Illness in Children ..................................................... 37 Center for Autism ................................................................. 18, 36 Center for Autism Research at CHOP .............................................. 43 Center for Independent Living of North Central PA, Roads to Freedom ...................................................................... 46 Center for Independent Living of South Central PA ......................... 46 Center for Parent Information and Resources ................................ 46 Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired (CBVI) .................. 53, 65 Center for the Creative Arts .......................................................... 58 Center for Therapeutic & Educational Riding ................................... 58 Center on Central, The .................................................................. 58 Center School ................................................................................. 32 Central Bucks Family YMCA ......................................................... 58 Central Illinois Special Needs Assistance Program ........................ 37 Central South Head Start Administration ........................................ 19 Cerebral Palsy Assoc. of Chester County, Inc................................... 49 CHADD Chester & Main Line Cos. .....................................................51 CHADD BuxMont ............................................................................ 51 CHADD New Jersey ...................................................................... 51 CHADD Pennsylvania .................................................................... 51

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CHADD: Children and Adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder ...........................................51 Cherry Hill Township Ombudsman for Disabled Citizens...................... 6 Cherrywood Academy & Private Preschool / Country Acres Private Preschool ................................ 18 Chester County Down Syndrome Interest Group............................... 50 Chester County Intermediate Unit #24 ........................................ 19 Child & Family Focus, Inc. ............................................................ 15 Child Care Information Service ..................................................... 38 Child Guidance Resource Center. ..................................................... 36 ChildLink: Public Health Management Corp. .......................... 18, 36 Children & Families First................................................................. 46 Children and Adult Disability and Educational Services ....................49 Children’s Beach House ...................................................................14 Children’s Defense Fund ............................................................... 46 Children’s Developmental Program .............................................. 18 Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia .......................................... 36, 43 Children’s Rehab Hospital at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital.......................................................................... 44 Children’s Services (SPIN).............................................................. 20 Children’s Specialized Hospital ................................................ 36, 44 Children’s Tumor Foundation ........................................................ 49 Children’s Wish Foundation International ...................................... 46 Childswork Childsplay ................................................................... 32 ChildWay ............................................................................... 44, 62 Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation........................................ 52 Chronicle Guidance Publications, Inc. ............................................ 65 Citizens Bank Park ....................................................................... 59 Clarke Schools for Hearing and Speech ....................................... 18 Cleft Palate Foundation ................................................................ 52 Colonial Intermediate Unit #20 ................................................... 19 Comfort Zone Camp ................................................................... 14 Commonwealth Charter Academy ................................................. 32 Community Legal Aid Society, Inc. ................................................ 41 Community Legal Services of Phila. ............................................ 41 COMPASS, Garfield Park Academy ................................................. 32 Compassionate Friends TRC............................................................ 59 Comprehensive Autism Center at Delaware Valley Children’s Center .......................................... 18,36 CONNECT Helpline ...........................................................................18 Consortium, The ........................................................................... 18 Cornelia De Lange Syndrome Foundation ..................................... 50 Crozer-Chester Medical Center ................................................ 36, 44 Crozer-Keystone Health System: Women & Children’s Health Services .............................................. 44 Center for Therapeutic & Educational Riding ................................. 59 CureSearch for Children’s Cancer ................................................... 49 Cystic Fibrosis Foundation .............................................................. 52

D

Deaf Apostolate, Archdiocese of Philadelphia, Camp Overbrook: In Sign ............................................................. 14 Deborah Heart & Lung Center ................................................ 36, 44 Delaware Children’s Museum .......................................................... 59 Delaware Co. Memorial Hospital, Hearing & Speech Center ............................................................... 44 Delaware County Head Start ........................................................ 19 Delaware County Intermediate Unit #25 ..................................... 19 Delaware Developmental Disabilities Council................................. 46 Delaware Division of Prevention and Behavioral Health Services ............................................................................ 38 Delaware Division of Public Health, Child Development Watch .................................................... 18, 36 Delaware Division of Vocational Rehabilitation ............................. 65 Delaware Families for Hands & Voices ......................................... 49 Delaware Family Voices — DEFV ............................................ 6, 47 Delaware State Dental Society....................................................... 43 Delaware Theatre Company............................................................. 59 Deldhub.com ..................................................................................... 6 Department of Behaviorial Health and Intellectual

68 MetroKids.com/SpecialKids

Disability Services Parents Involved Network ........................... 38, 50 Department of Health Early Intervention System ........................... 38 Dept. of Behavioral Health & Intellectual Disability Services ........................................................................ 38 Dept. of Mental Health / Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities ............................................................ 38 Developmental Delay Resources ................................................... 50 Devereux .................................................................................... 25 Devereux PA — Devereux Children’s Behavioral Health Center ................................................................ 44 Disability Rights Network of PA .................................................... 41 Disability Rights New Jersey ....................................................... 41 Disabled Sports USA ..................................................................... 59 Div. of Disability Svcs., Dept. of Human Svcs. ............................... 38 Diversified Community Services ........................................... 50, 65 Division for the Visually Impaired, Dept. of Health and Social Services ...................................... 38, 65 Division of Developmental Disabilities Services, Delaware Dept. of Health and Social Services ................................18 Division of Developmental Disabilities, Dept. of Human Services ....................................................... 38, 65 Division of Disability Services, Dept. of Human Services.................. 38 Division of the Deaf & Hard of Hearing, Dept. of Human Services ............................................................ 38 Devereux.. ...................................................................................... 32 Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom ............................................... 59 Dough Flutie, Jr. Foundation for Autism .......................................... 49 Down Syndrome Association of DE ............................................... 50 Down Syndrome Interest Group of Delaware County ..................... 50 Doylestown Rock Gym .................................................................. 59 Dragonfly Forest ......................................................................... 14 Dream Park ................................................................................... 59 Dwarf Athletic Assoc. of America.................................................... 52

E

Early Autism Project ..................................................................... 18 Early Intervention Office, Children’s Outreach Services Program ................................... 18, 36 Early Intervention System ............................................................. 18 Easterseals Camp Fairlee ............................................................. 14 Easterseals Delaware and Maryland’s Eastern Shore Children’s Therapy Svcs. ............................................................... 18 Easterseals Bucks Co. Division ..........................................................18 Easterseals Delaware Co. Division ................................................. 19 Easterseals Disability Services ....................................................... 18 Easterseals Joseph X. Yaffe Center ...................................................18 Easterseals Tucker & Perry Gresh Center ....................................... 19 Easterseals New Jersey ................................................................. 18 Easterseals of Southeastern PA Early Intervention Center .............................................................. 19 Easterseals: Eastern PA ................................................................. 47 Easterseals: Southeastern PA ........................................................ 47 Easterseals: Western and Central PA ............................................. 47 Eastern Pennsylvania Down Syndrome Center ............................... 50 Eden Autism Services ................................................................... 19 Education and Behavior Consulting - EdBeCo, Inc. ................ 19, 36 Education Law Center, NJ ............................................................ 41 Education Law Center, PA ............................................................ 41 Effective Learning Environments, LLC ............................................ 32 Einstein Medical Center Montgomery ............................................ 44 Elwyn ........................................................................................... 19 Elwyn SEEDS ....................................................................... 19, 36 Epic Health Services ..................................................................... 15 Epilepsy Foundation ............................................................ 51, 65 Episcopal Community Services ...................................................... 15 Everas Community Services .......................................................... 49 Everybody’s Playground .............................................................. 59 Exceptional Care for Children .......................................................... 62 Exceptional Children Group, Delaware Dept. of Education ....................................................................... 32

Exceptional Parent ......................................................................... 47 Expressive Hand, The .................................................................... 59

F

FACES 4 Autism ............................................................................ 49 Family Friends of Bucks County .................................................... 19 Family Hope Center, The................................................................. 47 Family Support Organizations, NJ Dept. of Child Behavioral Services................................................ 6 FARE: Food Allergy Research & Education ................................... 52 Firely Pediatric Services ................................................................ 15 First Hand Foundation .................................................................. 37 Flying High Equestrian Therapy, Inc. ............................................. 59 Food Allergy Support Team of Delaware ........................................ 52 Fort Medford - Bob Meyer Memorial Park .................................... 59 Foundation Fighting Blindness ............................................ 53, 59 Frankel & Kershenbaum, LLC ....................................................... 41 Frankie’s World ............................................................................ 17 Fred J. Epstein Youth Achievement Award ..................................... 37 Freedom Playground .................................................................... 60 Freedom Valley Disability Center .................................... 6, 36, 65 Friends Assoc. for the Care & Protection of Children .................... 15 Friends Hospital ................................................................... 36, 44 Friends of Man ............................................................................ 37 Friendship Circle of Phila. Region.................................................... 47 Fund It Forward ........................................................................... 37

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Gallaudet Univ. Young Scholars Program ...................................... 14 Garden of 5 Senses, Central Park ................................................. 59 Garden State Discovery Museum .................................................. 59 Garfield Park Academy. ................................................................... 32 Gaudenzia, Inc. ............................................................................ 62 George Crothers Memorial School at CADES ................................ 34 Girl Scouts of the Chesapeake Bay ............................................... 59 Githens Center, Burlington Co. .............................................. 15, 65 Giving Angels Foundation ............................................................. 37 GM Mobility Program ................................................................... 63 Greyhound ................................................................................... 63 Grounds for Sculpture ................................................................... 59 Guided Tour, Inc., The ................................................................... 59 Guiding Eyes for the Blind ............................................................. 53

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Hampton Behavioral Health Center.. .............................................. 44 Handi*Camp. ..................................................................................14 Handicapped Scuba Assoc. of NJ .................................................. 59 Happy Hearts Yoga ...................................................................... 59 Head Start .................................................................................. 19 Head Start Camden CDI ............................................................... 19 Head Start Delaware .................................................................... 19 Head Start New Jersey ................................................................. 19 Head Start Pennsylvania .............................................................. 19 Heaven’s Gate Farm ..................................................................... 14 Helen Keller National Center for Deaf-Blind Youth & Adults .................................................... 50, 65 Help a Little One Foundation ....................................................... 37 Helping Hands ............................................................................. 14 Here We Grow Learning Center at St. John of God Community Services ........................................... 20 Hillside Park.. ................................................................................. 59 HollyDELL, Inc. ............................................................. 19, 34, 65 Holy Redeemer Hospital & Medical Center, Pediatric Rehabilitation ........................................ 44 Home Health Specialists ............................................................... 15 Hope Springs Equestrian Therapy, Inc. .......................... 14, 36, 59 Hopes and Dreams Foundation ..................................................... 50 Horizon House Inc., Education Plus Youth ............................. 34, 65 Horsham Clinic ............................................................................. 15 Horsham Clinic, The Children’s Unit................................................. 44

SpecialKids 2018

Human Growth Foundation .......................................................... 52

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ICanShine .................................................................................... 59 Imagination Kingdom Playground ................................................. 59 Independence Blue Cross Caring Foundation, CHIP Program ............................................................................... 37 Institute on Disabilities at Temple University ................................. 34 Interactive Kids Summer Camp .................................................. 14 Intellectual disAbility Services. .........................................................19 Intermediate Units ....................................................................... 19 International Dyslexia Assoc., PA & DE Branch ............................... 51 International OCD Foundation................................................ 50, 65 Ivy Hill Therapeutic Equestrian Center ........................................... 59

J

Jack’s Place for Autism Foundation ............................................... 37 Jake’s Place ................................................................................. 59 James A. Michener Art Museum ................................................... 59 Jewish Association for Developmental Disabilities........................... 49 Jewish Community High School of Gratz College ........................... 34 Jewish Employment & Vocational Service (JEVS Human Services) ................................................................. 65 Jewish Federation of Greater Phila. .............................................. 34 Jewish Learning Venture ............................................................... 47 JFK Johnson Rehabilitation Institute................................................ 44 Johnny’s Rainbow Foundation ...................................................... 37 Jubilation Creations, Inc. at Jubili Beads & Yarns .......................... 59 Judge David L. Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law ..................... 6 Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation ........................................ 52

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Kaleidoscope Adapted Art Studio .................................................. 59 Kaleidoscope Therapeutic Riding Program ..................................... 60 Katz JCC ....................................................................................... 60 KenCrest Development Centers .................................................... 17 Kennedy Home Health Care .......................................................... 15 Kennedy Krieger Institute........................................................ 36,44 Keystone Mercy Health Plan .......................................................... 44 Kiddie Pool..................................................................................... 37 Kids at Play PA ............................................................................. 60 Kids Together, Inc. ........................................................................ 47 KidsPeace ...................................................................................... 51 KidsPeace Hospital, Orchard Hills ................................................... 44 KidZooU / Philadelphia Zoo .......................................................... 60 KIIDS: Knowledge & Information about Individuals with Down Syndrome .................................................. 50 Knoebels ...................................................................................... 60

L

Labrador Hill Farm, LLC ................................................................ 60 Lancaster-Lebanon Intermediate Unit #13 ................................... 19 Larc School .................................................................................. 34 Learning Ally ................................................................................. 51 Learning Disabilities Assoc. of America ......................................... 51 Learning Tree/Presbytery of Phila. Head Start .............................. 10 Legal Clinic for the Disabled, Inc. ................................................ 41 Let’s Play / Temple Beth Hillel-Beth El ........................................ 19 Leukemia & Lymphoma Society .................................................. 49 Liberty Resources, Inc. ............................................................ 47, 65 Library for the Blind & Physically Handicapped ............................. 53 Life Path/Ridge Crest ................................................................. 15 Lighthouse Guild Vision & Health ................................................. 53 Lincoln Financial Field .................................................................. 60 Lindsay Foundation ..................................................................... 37 Lions Camp Kirby for the Deaf & Hard of Hearing ........................ 14 Little League Challenger Division ................................................... 60 LittleSPORT .................................................................................. 60

SpecialKids 2018

M

M.A.A.P ........................................................................................ 49 M.O.R.G.A.N. Project, The ............................................................ 37 Main Line Art Center ............................................................. 14, 60 Main Line Health, Bryn Mawr Hospital/ duPont Children’s Health Program.......................................... 36, 44 Make-A-Wish Foundation of America ........................................... 47 Making Friends Social Center ....................................................... 15 March of Dimes .......................................................................... 47 Markeim Arts Center .................................................................... 60 Mary Campbell Center .................................................................. 60 Matheny Medical & Educational Center ........................ 34, 45, 67 Mayor’s Commission on People with Disabilities............................. 47 Medical Assistance Transportation Program, Community Transit of Delaware Co. .............................................. 63 Melmark School, The .................................................... 36, 62, 67 Mental Health Assoc. of SE PA ............................................... 6, 65 Mental Health Association in Delaware ............................................ 6 Mid-Atlantic ADA Center................................................................. 47 Mid-Atlantic Behavioral Health Children’s Services ................ 36, 45 Miracle Flights for Kids ................................................................. 63 Mobility Independent Transportation System .................................. 63 Mobility Works ............................................................................. 63 Montgomery County Assoc. for the Blind ...................................... 50 Montgomery County Behavioral Health / Developmental Disabilities Dept. ............................. 38, 65 Montgomery County Down Syndrome Interest Group of Pennsylvania ..................................... 50 Montgomery County Intermediate Unit #23 ................................ 19 Montgomery County’s Early Intervention Office.............................. 20 Montgomery Early Learning Centers ............................................. 17 Morgan’s Wonderland .................................................................. 60 MossRehab at Einstein Philadelphia ............................................... 47 Mount Laurel United Soccer Association ......................................... 60 Multiple Sclerosis Assoc. of America.................................................51 Muscular Dystrophy Assoc. .............................................................. 52 Muscular Dystrophy Assoc. Phila./Delaware Office .......................... 52 My Gym ....................................................................................... 60

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NAMI Delaware ........................................................................... 51 NAMI New Jersey.............................................................................51 NAMI Pennsylvania ..........................................................................51 NAMI: National Alliance on Mental Illness ................................... 51 Narcolepsy Network ...................................................................... 52 National Aquarium ....................................................................... 60 National Assoc. for Ed. of Young Children ........................................ 6 National Assoc. of Private Special Ed. Ctrs. ................................... 34 National Cancer Institute’s Cancer ............................................... 49 National Center for Learning Disabilities ...................................... 51 National Disability Rights Network ............................................... 41 National Down Syndrome Society .................................................. 50 National Federation of the Blind .......................................... 36, 53 National Fragile X Foundation, Southeast PA Community Support Network .................................... 52 National Institute on Disability, Independent Living & Rehabilitation Research, U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services ........................................................................... 38 National Jewish Health ................................................................. 52 National Kidney Foundation of Philadelphia & Delaware Valley .................................................... 52 National Library Service for Blind & Physically Handicapped .................................................... 53 National Multiple Sclerosis Society ....................................... 51, 65 National Multiple Sclerosis Society Greater Delaware Valley Chapter ................................................. 51 National Reye’s Syndrome Foundation .......................................... 52 National Skeet Shooting Assoc. .................................................... 60 National Tay-Sachs & Allied Diseases Assoc. of

Delaware Valley ........................................................................... 50 NBN Medical Boutique, The ................................................... 45, 65 Nemours / Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children........................... 45 Networks for Training and Development, Inc. ......................... 47, 65 Neurofibromatosis — Mid Atlantic ............................................... 52 New Directions Early Head Start .......................................... 23, 65 New Jersey Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Association ........................ 52 New Jersey Coalition for Inclusive Ed. ........................................... 47 New Jersey Commission for the Blind & Visually Impaired ............................................. 38, 65 New Jersey Council on Developmental Disabilities ......................... 50 New Jersey FamilyCare .................................................................. 37 New Jersey Parents’ Caucus, Inc. .................................................. 51 New Jersey Self-Help Group Clearinghouse ................................... 47 New Jersey State Library: Talking Books and Braille Center ................................................. 38 Newborn Nurses ........................................................................... 15 Next Steps Developmental and Neuropsychological Services Center. .............................................................................. 36 NJ Assoc. of Independent Schools ................................................. 34 NJ Center for Tourette Syndrome .................................................. 53 NJ Dept. of Ed., Office of Special Ed. ........................................... 34 NJ Dept. of Health & Senior Services, Special Child Health & Early Intervention Services ....................... 20 Norris Square Community Alliance ........................................ 23, 65 North Penn Dental Arts.................................................................. 43

O

Office of Advocacy, NJ Dept. of Children & Families ........................ 6 Office of Child Development and Early Learning, SE Region Bureau of Certification, Dept. of Human Services ........ 38 Office of Special Education & Rehabilitative Services .............. 38, 65 Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, Dept. of Labor & Industry ............................................ 38, 61, 65 One Step at a Time ..................................................................... 60 Orchard Friends ............................................................................ 34 Osteogenesis Imperfecta Foundation ............................................ 52 Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center / Child Development Services 45 Overbrook School for the Blind ..................................... 20, 34, 65

P

P. Buckley Moss Foundation ........................................................ 37 PA Association of Intermediate Units ............................................ 19 PA Distance Learning Charter School ............................................. 34 PA Tourette Syndrome Alliance .................................................... 54 Paraplegia News Magazine .......................................................... 52 Parent Advocacy Coalition for Educational Rights (PACER Center, Inc.) ........................................................................ 6 Parent Information Center of Delaware ............................................ 6 Parent to Parent of Delaware ....................................................... 47 Parent to Parent of Pennsylvania ................................................... 47 Parents Exchange ............................................................................ 6 Parkwood Therapeutic Riding Center ..................................... 60, 65 PATH International ........................................................................ 60 Pathway School ............................................................................. 34 Pathways .................................................................................... 52 PAWS for People .......................................................................... 60 Pediatria Healthcare for Kids ........................................................ 15 Pediatric Autism Program, Cooper University Hospital ..................... 45 Pediatric Health Choice at Lauren’s House .................................. 15 Pediatric Health Choice at The Children’s Secret Garden ............... 15 Pediatric Specialty Care ......................................................... 45, 62 Pediatric Wellness Network ......................................................... 38 Pegasus Therapeutic Riding Academy, Inc. .................................... 60 Penn Foundation ......................................................................... 50 Penn Foundation for Intellectual Disabilities ................................. 38 Pennsylvania Advocacy and Resources for Autism & Intellectual Disabilities ................................................. 49

MetroKids.com/SpecialKids 69

Pennsylvania Assoc. of Independent Schools (PAIS) ...................... 34 Pennsylvania Assoc. of Pennsylvania Association of Intermediate Units ............................ 36 Pennsylvania Center for Adapted Sports ........................................ 60 Pennsylvania Client Assistance Program ........................................ 41 Pennsylvania Council of the Blind .................................................. 53 Pennsylvania Council on the Arts ................................................. 60 Pennsylvania Dept. of Education, Bureau of Special Education Consult Line........................................ 35 Pennsylvania Head Start Assoc. .................................................... 23 Pennsylvania Health Law Project ................................................. 41 Pennsylvania Lions Beacon Lodge Camp ....................................... 14 Pennsylvania Mentor .................................................................... 15 Pennsylvania School for the Deaf ................................................. 35 Pennsylvania Training & Technical Assistance Network (PaTTAN) ............................................... 35, 65 Phebe Anna Thorne School, The .................................................... 20 Phila. School District, Office of Special Education Services, Intermediate Unit #26 ..................................................................................... 19 Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations and the Fair Housing Commission ................................................ 38 Philadelphia HUNE, Inc. ................................................................ 47 Philadelphia Independence Network ............................. 47, 62, 65 Philadelphia Interagency Coordinating Council................................. 20 Quest Therapeutic Services, Inc. .................................................... 20 Philadelphia Museum of Art ......................................................... 60 Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors, Inc. ...................................... 52 PLAN of Pennsylvania ................................................................... 51 Planned Parenthood Southeastern PA .......................................... 47 Please Touch Museum ................................................................ 60 Port Discovery Children’s Museum.................................................. 60 Potential, Inc. .............................................................................. 35 Practice Without Pressure Pike Creek ............................................ 45 Project Child Find, Office of Special Education, NJ Dept. of Education .................................................................. 35 Prompt & Play................................................................................ 35 Providence Pediatric Medical Daycare .......................................... 17 Public Citizens for Children & Youth ................................................ 6 Public Interest Law Center of Phila. .............................................. 41

Q

Quest Theraputic Services, Inc. ..................................................... 20

R

Rainbow Ridge Farm .................................................................. 14 Reading ASSIST Institute .............................................................. 35 Resources for Human Development, Inc. ............................... 50, 65 Riding High Farm ....................................................................... 60 Ronald McDonald Camp ............................................................... 14 Ronald McDonald House ............................................................. 15 Round Lake Camp ........................................................................ 14 Royer-Greaves School for Blind .................................................... 35

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Sahara Sam’s Oasis Indoor Water Park .......................................... 60 Saint Christopher’s Hospital for Children, Section of Developmental Pediatrics............................................... 45 Saint Mary Children’s Health Center .............................................. 45 Sally Watson Center — Youth Service, Inc. ................................ 15 Samuel Paley Early Learning Center ............................................. 20 SAT Services for Students with Disabilities .................................... 35 School District of Phila. Pre-K Head Start ..................................... 19 Sebastian Riding Associates ......................................................... 14 Sensational Kids ........................................................................... 14 SEPTA CCT Connect ....................................................................... 63 ServiceSource ................................................................................ 65 Sesame Place .............................................................................. 60 Setebaid Services, Inc. ................................................................. 52

70 MetroKids.com/SpecialKids

SHADOW Equestrian ..................................................................... 61 Shire ADHD Scholarship Program .................................................. 37 Shriners Hospital for Children ........................................................ 45 Ski For Light (SFL) ....................................................................... 61 SkyZone .................................................................................... 61 Smith Memorial Playground & Playhouse ................................... 61 So Love Autistic Center ................................................................. 35 Social Security, Supplemental Security Income Program................. 37 Southern Delaware T.R.H.R. ....................................................... 61 Southern Dental Society of New Jersey.......................................... 43 ..........Special Equestrians................................................................14 Special Kids Fund ......................................................................... 37 Special Kids Network, Dept. of Health .......................................... 38 Special Needs Project / America’s Disability Bookstore ................. 47 Special Olympics ......................................................................... 61 Special Olympics New Jersey Camp Shriver ................................. 14 Special Smiles, Ltd. ....................................................................... 43 Special Teens Project .................................................................... 61 Special Touch Dentistry ................................................................... 43 SPIN Inc. ..................................................................... 17, 20, 36 SPIN Inc. – Children’s Services ..................................................... 20 Spina Bifida Association of Delaware Valley................................... 53 Spina Bifida Resource Network ..................................................... 53 Springtime School. ......................................................................... 35 Sports n’ Spokes .......................................................................... 61 St. Edmond’s Home for Children .................................................... 62 St. John of God Community Services (ADS) .................................. 35 St. John of God Community Services (EIP) ................................... 20 St. John of God Community Services, Archbishop Damiano School (ADS) ...................................... 24, 65 State of NJ Dept. of Human Services / Division of Medical Assistance and Health Services ....................... 15 Statewide Parent Advocacy Network, Inc. ......................................... 6 STEPS, Garfield Park Academy .............................................. 61, 65 Stuttering Foundation of America ................................................. 50 Suburban Transit Network, Inc. ..................................................... 63 Summer Matters ......................................................................... 14 Summit Camp and Travel ............................................................. 14 Sunnyside Equestrian Center, Special People United to Ride Inc. (SPUR) ................................... 61 Support Organization For Trisomy 18, 13 & Related Disorders ..................................................................... 50 Supportive Concepts for Families, Inc. .......................................... 15

United Way Worldwide ................................................................ 48 University of Delaware, Center for Disability Studies ................... 48

T

Zane’s Foundation Inc. ................................................................. 37 Zero to Three ................................................................................. 48

Teamwork Wins, Ltd. .................................................................... 14 TechGirlz Rochester Institute of Technology .................................. 14 Temple University Disability Resources & Services ......................... 35 Temple University, Family Friends ................................................. 18 Tempo! Music Therapy Services .................................................... 62 The Kiddie Pool ............................................................................ 37 The Vanguard School .................................................................... 36 Theatre Horizon ............................................................................ 61 Theraplay .................................................................................... 20 theVillage ..................................................................... 17, 27, 62 Thorncroft Therapeutic Horseback Riding ....................................... 61 Tourette Syndrome Assoc. .............................................................. 53 Tourette Syndrome Assoc., Delaware Chapter .............................. 53 Travis Roy Foundation .................................................................. 37 Tri-State Advocacy Project ................................................................. 6

V

Valley Day Camp / DRI ...................................................................14 Valley Forge Educational Services ........................................... 36, 48 Vanguard School.. .......................................................................... 35 Vantage Mobility International Wheelchair Getaways .................... 63 Variety – The Children’s Charity of Greater Philadelphia .............. 48 Variety Club Camp & Developmental Ctr. ..................................... 14 Variety Club Camp & Developmental Center ............................... 65 Via of the Lehigh Valley ............................................... 20, 36, 65 Virtua Early Intervention Program ................................................... 20 Vision for Equality ........................................................................... 6 Vision Walk — Foundation Fighting Blindness ............................. 53 Visiting Nurse Group, Inc. ............................................................. 17 Voorhees Pediatric Facility ............................................................. 62 Voorhees Pediatric Medical Day Care ............................................ 17 VSA ............................................................................................ 48

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Walnut Street Theatre ................................................................... 61 Wanaque Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation ........................... 62 Weisman Children’s ...................................................... 20, 36, 45 Weisman Children’s Medical Day Care Centes...................................17 Wells Fargo Center ........................................................................ 61 Wheel to Walk Foundation ........................................................... 37 Wheelchair Getaways...................................................................... 63 Wheelchair Sports Program ........................................................... 61 Wheelchairs 4 Kids ....................................................................... 37 WIC ................................................................................................ 20 Wilderness on Wheels Foundation ................................................ 61 Winterthur Museum....................................................................... 61 Wissahickon Valley Public Library ................................................... 61 Women’s Christian Alliance ........................................................... 18 Worcester Stables at Out Farm ..................................................... 16 Wrightslaw ................................................................................... 41

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YMCA Ability Program .................................................................... 61 YMCA of Greater Brandywine ........................................................ 61

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We’ve Got What You’re

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KING for

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U.S. Access Board, The ................................................................. 63 U.S. Dept. of Transportation ......................................................... 63 United Cerebral Palsy ............................................................ 49, 65 United Healthcare Community Plan .............................................. 37 United Healthcare Children’s Foundation ........................................ 37 United Spinal Association ............................................................. 53

smart. local. parenting.

.com SpecialKids 2018

UNLOCKING THE POTENTIAL IN EACH CHILD Bancroft School and Children’s Services NOW in Mt. Laurel The Bancroft School A new day has begun in educational and therapeutic programs for

Lindens Neurobehavioral Program

children with autism and intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Residential Treatment Program

Bancroft, a pioneer in special education and evidence-based therapeutic

Health Center

practices, has created a world-class campus in Mt. Laurel that marries

Instructional Kitchens

the excellence of its programs with an environment inspired by the children we serve.

Vocational Storefronts Art and Music Studios

Located on 80 acres just off Routes 38 and 295, the campus provides

Activity Pool

abundant learning and therapeutic environments and opportunities

Fitness Center

aimed at arming students with the ability to communicate and develop

Indoor/Outdoor Play Areas

skills for life, work and community.

Gymnasium Horticulture Program

800.774.5516 Bancroft.org

Bancroft Raymond & Joanne Welsh Campus • 311 Walton Avenue, Mt. Laurel, NJ ©2017 The Bancroft School. All Rights Reserved.

Questions? Asaphilly.org or AutismSocietyZooDay@verizon.net or FB ASA Philly

Our Mission is to promote lifelong access and opportunities for persons within the autism spectrum and their families, to be fully included, participating members of their communities through advocacy, public awareness, education and research related to autism.

ASAPHILLY offers!

Conferences • Information and Referral Line • Mini Grants • Sensory Friendly Movies • Weighted Blanket Classes • Autism Awareness Day at the Philadelphia Zoo • Puzzle Ribbon Campaign • Yahoo! Listservs • Adult Services Committee • MORE!

Contact us: Asaphilly.org | 610-358-5256 | FB - ASA Philly