Challenge Air for Kids & Friends Dallas, 214/351-3353; challengeair.com. Offers motivational and inspirational aviation experiences to children and youth with physical challenges. Especially Needed McKinney, 214/499-3439; especiallyneeded.org. Builds a strong sense of unity for individuals with special needs by offering familyfriendly events throughout the year. The Feast Dallas, 214/521-3111; hpumc.org. Worship service at Highland Park United Methodist Church that is a welcome place for those with special needs, their families and friends, and all who have a heart for special needs. The Feast takes place on Sunday at 5pm. Jumpstreet Multiple locations, gotjump.com. Hosts a semiprivate event on the first Saturday of the month for children with special needs and their siblings. Keller ATA Martial Arts Keller, 817/337-9493; kellerata.com. Offers classes on Tuesday and Thursday for children with special needs and participates in tournaments that offer divisions for special abilities competitors. Instructors have experience working with students with autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy and other conditions. Metroplex Adaptive Water Sports (MAWS) Dallas, 214/803-9955; youcanski.org. Nonprofit organization dedicated to providing opportunities for persons with all types of disabilities to experience water sports. Soaring Eagle Center DeSoto, 972/223-1873; soaringeaglecenter.org. Serves adults with developmental disabilities and their families through Special Olympics, social activities, educational classes and a day program. Adults with special needs work at Soaring Eagle Thrift Store to gain life skills. Special Olympics Texas Statewide, 512/835-9873; sotx.org. Provides yearround sports training and athletic competition in a variety of sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Starcatchers multiple locations, 972/422-2575; starcatchers.org. Provides youth and adults with opportunities to shine through drama, music, dance and visual art. Opportunities range from large theater productions to intimate art classes and further the development of social, communication, motor and cognitive skills. Wet Zone Waterpark Angel Swim Rowlett, 972/412-6266; rowlett.com/ parksandrec. Open swim for members of the community with special needs and their families during summer months.
RESPITE CARE
Adventure Kids Playcare Multiple locations, adventurekidsplaycare.com. Offers hourly drop-in child care that is inclusive to children with special needs. Reservations are required. APT G: A Place to Go Allen, 214/385-8850; fumcallen.org. Free monthly respite night for children with special needs in grades six and up. Held the third Saturday of each month (September–May) from 7–9:30pm. Register online by the Wednesday before. Breakaway – Special Needs Ministry Fort Worth, 817/546-0876; ccbcfamily.org. Free respite night for children with special needs (all ages) and siblings (ages infant to 12 years) on the third Friday of the month throughout the year (excluding June, July and December). Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis. Bryan’s Buddies Grapevine, 817/481-2559; firstmethodistgrapevine.org. Monthly respite care for children with special needs and their siblings held at First United Methodist Church. Bryan’s House Dallas, 214/559-3946; bryanshouse.org. Provides respite care, child care and support services for children affected by HIV/AIDS and their families as well as children with other special health needs. Friday Night Fun and Night Vision at Lake Pointe Church Rockwall, 469/698-2310; lpkids.com/rockwall. Friday Night Fun is a monthly parents’ night out for children with special needs (6 months–13 years) and their siblings from 6–9pm on the third Friday of the month. Night Vision is for older students with special needs one Friday a month from 7–9pm. Non-church members accepted when space is available. Email emilyc@ lakepointe.org to register. SOAR, the special needs ministry, offers other programs for children and adults with special needs. Friday NITE Friends Plano, 972/618-3450; fridaynitefriends.org. Respite program for families with special needs and medically fragile children (ages birth–15 years) and their siblings (up to 12 years) on Friday evening from 6–10pm. thrive
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