Special Needs Guide

Special Feature - March 2022

ABILITY TREE

Abilitytree.org | Instagram: @abilitytree 2350 E Tahlequah St, Siloam Springs | 855-288-6735

The mission of Ability Tree is to come alongside families impacted by disability and equip organizations through recreation, education, support, and training. The vision of Ability Tree is to create inclusive and supportive communities where individuals and families impacted by disability can enjoy healthy relationships. Ability Tree is all about fun and experiences that are often unavailable for families living with disabilities. They offer parents night out, an after school program, sports and arts programs as well as summer camps.

AMC SENSORY FRIENDLY FILMS - FIESTA SQUARE 12

amctheatres.com/programs/sensory-friendly-films 3033 N College Ave, Fayetteville | 479-575-0026 AMC is proud to partner with the Autism Society to offer unique movie showings where we turn the lights up, and turn the sound down, so you can get up, dance, walk, shout or sing! Our Sensory Friendly Film program is available on the second and fourth Saturday of the month.

Aimnwa.org | Instagram: @aimeveryday 208 N Walton Blvd #9, Bentonville | 479-544-0166 AIM

AUTISM INVOLVES ME

AIM is a local non profit who supports families impacted by Autism in Benton and Washington counties. Their vision is to create an inclusive and accepting environment for those they serve in their community with improved awareness, advocacy, and the best local resources available.

ARKANSAS SUPPORT NETWORK

Supports.org | Instagram: @arsupportnetwork 6836 Isaac’s Orchard Rd, Springdale | 479-927-4100

Arkansas Support Network provides support and services to individuals and families with children with disabilities. They are a licensed disabilities service provider for all of Arkansas, with offices in Springdale, Fort Smith, Camden, and Jonesboro. Their programs serve people through all phases of their lives from birth, through adulthood. They assist people in finding the highest quality resources and supports appropriate to their needs, stage of life, and family make up.

BUSY BINS

Fayetteville Instagram: @busybins4kids

This local teacher loved seeing kids grow their imagination by creating and working with all of their senses. She shares her love of sensory play through Busy Bins! Creative, educational, and emotional processing sensory bins in two sizes(small and large), with lavender infused homemade playdough to help calm overwhelmed little hands. Direct message on Instagram to place your order! Local pickup & shipping are available.

CAMP ALDERSGATE

Campaldersgate.net | Instagram: @camp_aldersgate 2000 Aldersgate Rd, Little Rock | 501-225-1444

Camp Aldersgate creates life-changing experiences for individuals with special needs and medical conditions, enabling them to expand their worlds and express their unique voices. The Camp Aldersgate, Inc. experience is one that provides the joys of outdoor recreation and socialization in an accessible environment in which campers of all abilities can participate and, most importantly, succeed.

Campbarnabas.org | Instagram: @campbarnabas 901 Teas Trl #2060, Purdy, MO | 417-476-2565

Camp Barnabas is a unique ministry providing Christian camping experiences to individuals with special needs and chronic illness, along with their families. Whether you are a camper, or serving as part of a mission trip, they provide ministry and social experiences that increase spiritual knowledge, social learning, and human dignity. Their goal is to show others the love of Christ in every aspect of their ministry.

CHILDREN’S THERAPY TEAM

Childrenstherapyteam.com Instagram: @childrenstherapyteam 2474 E Joyce Blvd #2, Fayetteville | 479-521-8326

Children’s Therapy TEAM family-centered approach extends to everything they do. They celebrate a child’s accomplishments, large and small, taking a personal approach to care. They are a dedicated TEAM of Pediatric Physical Therapists, Occupational Therapists, SpeechLanguage Pathologists, and Developmental Therapists.

CHUCK E. CHEESE SENSORY SENSITIVE SUNDAYS

chuckecheese.com/sensory-sensitive-sundays/ 2999 N College Ave S.12, Fayetteville

We’re proud to support families who have children with autism and other special needs. Recognizing that the Chuck E. experience can be very stimulating for any child, we made it our mission to create Sensory Sensitive Sundays®, where we have a trained, caring staff who works to ensure everyone has a fun-filled visit. Because we believe ALL kids deserve the opportunity to just be a kid. Participating locations will open two hours early on the first Sunday of the month to offer a sensory-friendly experience for families.

DOWN SYNDROME CONNECTION OF NORTHWEST ARKANSAS

Dscnwa.com | 1200 W Walnut St Suite 1407 Rogers | 479-282-3639

Since 2002, the Down Syndrome Connection of Northwest Arkansas has been supporting families in Northwest Arkansas. Their mission is to facilitate inclusion and respect for individuals with Down Syndrome within the Northwest Arkansas Community, ensuring that they have access to the support and the resources necessary to reach their full potential at all stages of life.

Ercinc.org | 2190 S. Razorback Road Fayetteville | 479-872-1800 Instagram: @elizabeth_richardson_center

ERC is the leading provider of early childhood services in northwest Arkansas. Our three child development centers located in Fayetteville, Huntsville, and Siloam Springs serve children and their families from birth through their transition into kindergarten. ERC uses a team approach to addressing your child’s needs which involves both child development staff and your family. Child Development Specialists will assist your family in creating individualized goals to help your child meet developmental milestones such as crawling, saying their first words, or buttoning their clothes. Children work toward meeting their goals in a nurturing preschool setting alongside qualified teaching staff and a team of therapists. At ERC your child is able to experience a comprehensive preschool program with all necessary therapeutic and educational services bundled into their school day.

GOLDFISH SWIM SCHOOL

goldfishswimschool.com/rogers-nwa/ Instagram: @goldfish_rogersnwa 4319 S. Pleasant Crossing Blvd., Ste 105 Rogers | 479-777-9568

Swimming offers an opportunity for children with special needs to actively participate in learning a sport – and our instructors at Goldfish Swim School use integrity, compassion and trust (along with a few other tools and techniques) to teach children with special needs how to swim. Swimming teaches valuable physical and life skills, including: gross motor skills, cognitive skills, muscle strength, endurance, water safety as well as socialization, all in a fun environment!

HORSES FOR HEALING

Horsesforhealingnwa.org Instagram: @horsesforhealingnwa 14673 Daniels Rd, Bentonville | 479-795-0570

Horses for Healing NWA is a nonprofit adaptive horsemanship center in Northwest Arkansas for individuals with special needs, run by a passionate Farm Team and Board of Directors. Their adaptive riding program has helped thousands of children learn balance, coordination, self-confidence and teamwork over the past 30 years. They pride themselves on making great strides in children’s lives.

Kidscorpdt.com 2210 Main Dr, Springdale | 479-856-6397 3307 N Dixieland Rd, Rogers | 479-986-5150

KIDS CORP INC.

Kids Corp, Inc is a day treatment center for kids with developmental needs offering Speech, Occupational, physical, and Play Therapy. At the centers, we offer full-time nursing on site and Pre-K classrooms that are dedicated to Kindergarten preparedness. Their classrooms follow a comprehensive curriculum that includes math, pre-reading, language, art, music and movement. They understand and appreciate that each child is unique in their own way and encourage them to develop at their own pace.

KIDS UNLIMITED LEARNING ACADEMY

Mykidsunlimited.com | Instagram: @kidsunlimited1 120 Southwinds Rd #2, Farmington | 479-300-6400 1268 Electric Ave, Springdale | 479-750-1500

Kids Unlimited Learning Academy’s highly trained staff offers services in early childhood development as well as medical care. They provide occupational, physical and speechlanguage therapy services that are designed to meet the unique goals of each child. Their goal is to build partnerships with parents and caregivers to create meaningful independence in the lives of children.

MIRACLE LEAGUE OF ARKANSAS

Miracleleaguear.com | Instagram: @miracleleaguenwa 2898 S 48th St, Springdale miracleleaguear@yahoo.com

The Miracle League removes the barriers that keep children with mental and physical disabilities off the baseball field and lets them experience the joy of America’s favorite pastime. Miracle League teams play on a custom-designed, rubberized turf field that accommodates wheelchairs and other assistive devices while helping to prevent injuries. The Miracle League is about making new friends, building self-esteem and being treated just like other athletes. To help the athletes, the Miracle League uses a “buddy” system – pairing each player with an able-bodied peer. The result is a bond that cannot be described. The Miracle League serves children and adults who suffer from any physical or mental disabilities, which causes them to be excluded, whether intentionally or not, from conventional Baseball leagues.

Nwapedtherapy.com 2580 E. Joyce Blvd, Ste 12 Fayetteville | 479-521-7337

Northwest Pediatric Therapy

Northwest Pediatric Therapy's mission is to help all children they serve meet their highest potential. Their speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, and developmental therapists are dedicated to helping children develop the skills necessary to successfully communicate with others and effectively participate in their activities of daily living. Their clinic is also designed to be a "home away from home" so that children feel welcome and believe as if they are playing (learning!) in their natural, everyday environment. They are dedicated to making children want to learn, therefore they provide fun, themed activities throughout the year as well as motivating therapy materials everyday.

OZARK GUIDANCE

Ozarkguidance.org | Instagram: @ozarkguidance 2400 S 48th Street, Springdale | 479-750-2020

Ozark Guidance believes that the strength of our communities lies in the strength of our families. The Early Childhood Program was developed to provide a source of early intervention for families with children 3-5 years of age who need therapeutic help. They offer early intervention/prevention, outpatient, community-based, and day treatment services.

POST PEDIATRIC THERAPY

Posttherapies.com Instagram: @post.pediatric.therapies’ 1000 W Poplar Street, Rogers | 479-631-7678 516 Lowell Ave, Cave Springs 3162 W Martin Luther King, Fayetteville

POST Pediatric Therapies mission is to serve and empower the families in Northwest Arkansas who have children in need of physical, occupational, or speech therapy. At POST, they put the family at the heart of their mission. They strive to work as a team with caregivers and their children to answer questions, provide guidance, and problem-solve ways to integrate therapy into daily routines. Customized interventions help children with special challenges learn to actively investigate their world, play, eat, walk, and communicate, fostering their capabilities and independence. They work with families to promote an atmosphere of trust, exploration, and fun!

SUNSHINE SCHOOL & DEVELOPMENT CENTER

Nwasunshineschool.org @Instagram: sunshineschooldevcenter 3400 Woods Lane, Rogers | 479-636-3190

For years, having a disability meant being labeled or underestimated for the rest of your life. In every space, individuals would be categorized, written off, or separated. Thankfully, Sunshine School & Development Center was founded with a commitment to seeing potential, not problems. Since 1958, Sunshine School has served thousands of people in the community by offering a range of services in order to benefit every child and client that we serve. Their mission is to shatter limitations to enable people touched by disability, serving their unique journey through advocacy, therapy, and education. Because of their work, families are better advocates, students aren't limited by their labels, and adults with disabilities thrive in their communities.

WALLACE FINANCIAL

www.nickwallace.nm.com Instagram: @wallacefinancial nickwallace@nm.com | 859-302-1223

WALLACE FINANCIAL

Wallace Financial is a financial planning practice that helps parents across the United States, specifically in planning for the future of a child with disabilities. They help navigate estate planning and government benefits, as well as directly helping with financial planning strategies to protect and grow for the family’s future.

99 BALLOONS RECESS

99balloons.org/recess/ Fayetteville: Grace Church NWA bkleonard8@gmail.com Christ Community Church katecully15@gmail.com Rogers: Fellowship Bible Church NWA recess.fellowship@gmail.com Bentonville: New Heights Church kathleen@nhbentonville.com

rEcess, an initiative of 99 Balloons is changing the story of disability, loving people, and empowering others to serve families experiencing disability in their communities. rEcess is a holistic model of ministry that serves the entire family experiencing disability through a monthly respite night. It allows parents an evening to rest and reconnect while knowing their children are being well cared for and are safe. rEcess is a time for children experiencing disabilities to have FUN while being paired one on one with an adult friend whose sole objective is to make rEcess the best night of their week. It is also a time for siblings to have lots of fun and connect with other siblings who understand what it is like to have a brother or sister experiencing disability.