Family Ties of Massachusetts
Family TIES of Massachusetts is a statewide information and parent-to-parent support project for families of children with special needs and chronic illness. They have a Resource Directory that is available as a download.

Belmont Recreation Department
Athletics, social events, cooking, dancing and other programs, at moderate cost, open to children and adults with special needs who reside in Belmont and surrounding towns. No online registration. For more information, see the site or call the Belmont Rec. Dept. at 617-993-2760.

Newton Parks & Recreation Dept.’s Therapeutic Recreation Program (a/k/a Newton Special Athletes)
Recreational programs and social events for children and adults. Includes soccer, skating, swimming, holiday parties, teen parties and adult socials. Newton residents and non-residents welcome. No online registration.

Opportunities for Inclusion
Recreational and social programs, including swimming, soccer, cooking, music therapy and social events for ages 3 through adult (depending on the program).

Minute Man Arc
According to its website: "Recreational opportunities are available for both children and adults. Groups are divided by age to facilitate socialization with peers. Typical activities include chorus, arts and crafts, movie nights, bowling and other sports, Special Olympics teams, and special community events. Additional activities are also offered depending on the season."

TOPSoccer
Lexington hosts a division of the TOPSoccer program (The Outreach Program for Soccer) on Saturdays at 12:30pm to 2pm, from September 20th to October 25th in Lexington. $30 per participant, open to children and young adults with physical and/or intellectual disabilities. Open to non-residents. Register online. For more information, contact Email Danielle Athanasiadis or by phone at 781-652-8044.

Gymnastics Planet Adaptive ProgramGymnastics Planet Adaptive Program
This class provides kids the opportunity to develop through movement education, which includes fine motor and gross motor skills and basic gymnastics. Skills are taught in small increments, building one skill on another. Lesson plans are carefully modified to provide a safe and enjoyable experience. Each student will have the opportunity to develop physically, socially, and emotionally through a non-competitive environment. Activities include, but are not limited to, gymnastics, trampolines, fitness, balance beam, core strength, and sport skills. This is a 45 minute class, which includes up to 5 students. A student may be required to have a parent or aide with them. Tuition: $545 when you pay in full or $125 per month (5 months of the session). This is determined on a case-by-case basis.

Powers Music School Music Therapy Program
A flexible program at Powers Music School in Belmont that helps each student increase self-confidence, self-expression, independence, and the ability to adapt to new situations. Music therapy and modified lessons can improve daily living, coping, and choice-making skills, attention span and memory, fine motor skills and physical development, language and communication, socialization and relationships with family and friends, or simply provide a mood boost.

Stretch What Matters Yoga
Yoga-based therapeutic programs for children and teens with special needs.

Amusement Parks that provide special assistance:

Canobie Lake Park

Six Flags New England

Story Land 

At each park, visit guest services for a wristband that permits the person with a disability and a caregiver to move to the front of the line (sometimes the entire family can stay together, depending on the park). Rules change periodically, so confirm before you go if it is an important factor.

Suggestions for those with "invisible" disabilities: While none of these parks require proof of disability, offering a doctor’s note or similar documentation that states the diagnosis will ease the process of obtaining wristbands. Also, when a park is crowded, prepare yourself for withering glares from others waiting in long lines. This is less of an issue at StoryLand, where persons with wristbands may enter at a special handicapped entrance at most rides. It is not a concern at Six Flags, because the wristband for persons with disabilities looks the same as the wristband for people who pay a premium to advance in lines.

Therapeutic and Organizational Tools

Therapro Occupational therapy, speech therapy, and physical therapy products for educators and parents.

Time Timer A tool to help make the concept of elapsed time easier to understand.

The Organized Student by Donna Goldberg A practical book of hands-on organizing strategies.

School Listings – Massachusetts Association of 766 Approved Private Schools (maaps.org)