6 minute read
Everything SPECIAL NEEDS
special needs everything
Life with a family member who has developmental disabilities, learning differences, or special needs poses its own unique parenting challenges and questions. It helps to connect with a community of experts and other families sharing a similar journey. Here are some places to start.
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Asperger’s & Autism Alpine Autism Center Provides home therapy and consultations, plus support and training to families, teachers, therapists, and schools. Colorado Springs, 719-203-6903. alpineautismcenter.org
Autism & Asperger Connections Links families, individuals, and professionals in the Colorado Springs community to autism support and resources. Colorado Springs, 719-344-5619. autismaspergerconnections.org
Autism Community Store Offers toys, books, community events, and other resources for families, therapists, and teachers. Aurora, 303-309-3647. autismcommunitystore.com
Autism Society of Boulder County (ASBC)
Helps individuals with autism spectrum disorders and their families develop a community, find training, and get scholarships for activities. Louisville, 720-272-8231. autismboulder.org
Autism Society of Colorado Provides referrals, support groups, and sensory-friendly opportunities to improve the lives of individuals with autism. Denver, 720-214-0794. autismcolorado.org
Autism Speaks Promotes solutions for the needs of people with autism and their families. Golden, 720-4923731. autismspeaks.org
Firefly Autism Provides center- and homebased services, speech and language pathology, occupational therapy, and parent training. Lakewood, 303-759-1192. fireflyautism.org
Garden Inc. Offers a variety of therapeutic individual and community services for children, adolescents, and adults on the spectrum. Littleton, 303-306-8259. gardenautism.org
REVEL Connects teens and adults on the autism spectrum to social and learning experiences. Denver, 720-534-0601. revelinlife.org
STAR Institute for Sensory Processing Disorder
Conducts research on sensory processing disorder (SPD) and treats children and adults with sensory issues through play. Denver, 303-221-7827. spdstar.org
Camps Ascendigo Adventures Program Engages campers on the autism spectrum in year-round outdoor sports and recreational activities in the Roaring Fork Valley of Colorado. Carbondale, 970-927-3143. ascendigo.org Adam’s Camp Supports individuals of all ages with developmental disabilities through therapy, adventure, and socialization. Various locations. 303-563-8290. adamscamp.org
Breckenridge Outdoor Education Center Offers an adaptive ski and ride school, wilderness programs (onsite and mobile), professional team-building retreats, and a unique internship program. Breckenridge, 970-453-6422. boec.org
Camp Paha Provides safe, challenging, and fun recreational and educational summer activities for youth with disabilities, ages six to 17. Lakewood, 303-987-4867. lakewood.org/paha
Colorado Lions Camp Tailors summer experiences for ages eight and up, no matter their challenges. Woodland Park, 719-687-2087. coloradolionscamp.org
INSPIRE Offers summer adventures for youth ages five to 17 with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Evergreen, 720-880-1219. evergreenrecreation.com/206/inspire
Rocky Mountain Village Removes barriers to overnight camping, day trips, arts, sports, hiking, zip lining, and horseback riding. Empire, 303-569-2333. easterseals.com/co
Roundup River Ranch Enables children with serious illnesses and their families to get a full camp experience for free. Gypsum, 970-524-2267. roundupriverranch.org
Education & Schools Bal Swan Children’s Center Meets the developmental needs of children of all abilities, providing therapy and parenting classes. Broomfield, 303-466-6308. balswan.org
Brain Highways Helps improve learning, focus, stress management, and behavior based on neuroplasticity. Online programs. brainhighways.com
Child Find Colorado Department
of Education Evaluates potential developmental delays and needs for intervention or special education. Denver, 303-866-6124. cde.state.co.us/early/childfind
Colorado School for the Deaf and the Blind
Serves students, birth to age 21, with CSDB-based and outreach programs. Colorado Springs, 719-578-2100. csdb.org
Fletcher Miller School Provides interactive and interdisciplinary academics and meets individual needs in medical, physical, and social/emotional areas. Lakewood, 303-982-7200. fletchermiller. jeffcopublicschools.org
Goldstar Learning Options Inc. Maximizes the strengths and abilities of individuals with developmental and intellectual differences. Denver, 303-327-9738. gsloinc.com
Humanex Academy Provides a self-paced, individualized curriculum in a small, private, and accredited school for grades six to 12. Englewood, 303-783-0137. humanexacademy.com
The Joshua School Helps people with autism spectrum disorder and other developmental disabilities attain the highest quality of life from early childhood to adulthood. Englewood, 303-758-7171. joshuaschool.org
Laradon Provides educational and therapeutic services including early intervention and a specialized school for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Denver, 303-296-2400. laradon.org
Heath Care Programs
HCP for Children and Youth with Special Health
Care Needs Serves ages one to 21 with medical, developmental, behavioral, or emotional needs. Find resources, care coordination, and specialty care. 303-692-2370. colorado.gov/cdphe/hcp
Mental Illness Empower Colorado Supports, informs, and advocates for the families of children Special Olympics of Colorado provides training, competition, and off-the-field fun for athletes with intellectual disabilities.
who have social/emotional, mental, or behavioral challenges. 866-213-4631. abilityconnectioncolorado.org/empowercolorado
Federation of Families for Children’s
Mental Health Advocates for children and families impacted by mental health issues. Lakewood, 1-888-429-3369. coloradofederation.org
Mental Health Colorado Advocates for mental illness and substance use prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Denver, 720-208-2220. mentalhealthcolorado.org
National Alliance on Mental Illness
(NAMI) Colorado Offers free educational classes, support groups, and advocacy for mental health. Englewood, 303-321-3104. namicolorado.org
Recreation Adaptive Sports Center Operates year-round outdoor adventures for people with disabilities. Crested Butte, 970-349-2296. adaptivesports.org
Aurora Therapeutic Recreation Provides recreational programs for individuals with developmental/physical disabilities. Aurora, 303-326-8410. auroragov.org
Challenge Aspen Engages individuals with cognitive or physical challenges in recreational, educational, and cultural experiences. Snowmass Village, 970-923-0578. challengeaspen.org
Fishing Has No Boundaries Opens the great outdoor fishing world for people with disabilities. Colorado Springs, 719-873-3462. csfhnb.org
Ignite Adaptive Sports Offers safe, fun instruction in alpine and cross-country skiing, snowboarding, and snowshoeing for people with any disability. Nederland, 303-908-1551. igniteadaptivesports.org
National Sports Center for the Disabled Adapts year-round sports and activities for individuals with almost any type of diagnosis. Denver metro, Front Range, and Winter Park, 970-726-1518. nscd.org
Paradox Sports Adapts indoor and outdoor climbing activities for people with physical disabilities, age 15 and older. Boulder. 720-638-5593. paradoxsports.org
Special Olympics of Colorado Trains athletes with intellectual disabilities, age eight and up, in a variety of sports. Centennial, 720-359-3100. specialolympicsco.org
Wilderness on Wheels Provides a wheelchairaccessible one-mile long boardwalk, fishing pond, campsites, huts, and cabins. Grant, 303-403-1110. wildernessonwheels.org
Respite & Childcare Angels of Colorado Home Care Gives respite, shortterm, and long-term care for families of those with physical/cognitive disabilities. Aurora, 720-747-8228. angelsofcolorado.com
Break Time by The Resource Exchange Offers respite sessions on various Friday nights and Saturday afternoons through the year. Colorado Springs, 719-338-1718. tre.org/services/break-time
Care.com Helps parents search for, vet, connect with, and select qualified caregivers and sitters. care.com/special-needs Care and Community Engages those with intellectual and developmental disabilities in after-school and summer skill building. Aurora, 303-955-1672. careandcommunity.org
Colorado Respite Coalition Gives caregivers of extensive need individuals across Colorado a rest. Lakewood, 303-233-1666. coloradorespitecoalition.org
Discovery Club Organizes recreational activities for kids ages six to 18 with any disability, and siblings. Lakewood, Lafayette, 303-233-1666. easterseals.com/co
Megan’s Place Provides respite and daycare for kids ages three to 18 with developmental disabilities. Wheat Ridge, 303-881-4988. megansplacellc.org
Pikes Peak Respite Services Serves individuals with special needs in-home and in the community through respite, personal and house care, community connections, and mentorship. Pikes Peak Region, 719-659-6344. pikespeakrespiteservices.com
PlayDate Behavioral Interventions Includes in-home and on-site respite care, plus parent education to help children gain key skills and manage behavior. Colorado Springs, 719-465-3989. myplaydate.org
Respite Care Inc. Provides short-term, center-based care for children with developmental disabilities. Fort Collins, 970-207-9435. respitecareinc.org
YMCA Autism Respite Program Improves aquatic safety skills in a one-to-one exercise program. Denver, 720 524 2778. denverymca.org
Zach’s Place Offers active, structured, and free play while teaching life skills and socialization skills. Colorado Springs, 719-447-8983. sksfcolorado.org
LIVE LIFE TO THE FULLEST! See what The Behavior Exchange and ABA therapy can do for your family.
If your child has any type of special needs, they can benefit from ABA therapy now. To learn more about our ABA techniques and therapists, visit us online.
Now open and serving the Front Range families of Colorado! behaviorexchange.com 720.647.8541
enroll@behaviorexchange.com
CELEBRATING 57 YEARS
Year round, play based programs focusing on social development and academic enrichment for toddlers through Private Kindergarten. Popular Summer Adventure Camps for post Kindergarteners-age 12.
