There are a number of events for children with special needs coming up.
The recent holiday party is just one of the many special needs family support outings the Department of Parks & Recreation sponsors each year. On Sunday, Jan. 8 from noon to 2 p.m. at the Upper Elementary School, Recreation will host a family support outing for youth and families with basketball and games as its primary focus. Later in January, the Department will sponsor two special needs social skills programs, one for children grades first through third, and the other for children grades fourth through sixth.
The social skills programs are specific to each age group and focus on social-struggles for this group. From cooperative play projects and impulse control to reading social cues and social dynamics, this program is highly interactive. Led by certified occupational therapists and licensed professionals the social skills program is a great opportunity for children to learn in a fun and active setting.
S.M.A.S.H. will return after the first of the year to provide a social outlet for teens and young adults. S.M.A.S.H. provides an innovative and active curriculum for individuals with special needs including cooking programs, karate instruction, art classes, yoga, pre-vocational games and other activities.
All activities of the S.M.A.S.H. programs are done under the supervision of a registered nurse, professional special needs instructors and certified caregivers. To increase the accessibility of this program to the special needs population, the Moorestown Department of Parks & Recreation has partnered with the Monica Buckley Foundation.
And finally, the Special Needs Providers Fair will take place on Sunday, Jan. 29 from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Church Street Recreation Center. Service providers who specific focus is on services, programs and opportunities for individuals with special needs and their families will fill the third floor of the Recreation Center and provide demonstrations, handouts and information about the services and products they provide.
This event is free and open to the public and has become a landmark event in South Jersey. The first of its kind in the area, the Moorestown Department of Parks & Recreation’s Special Needs Providers Fair has become an important annual event.
For more information about Recreation special needs programs, and all other Recreation programs, visit www.moorestownrec.com today.
