These days, more and more of the city’s activity centers and sports programs are offering classes designed for children with special needs. Here are just a few:

Chelsea Piers
Long known for their quality educational programs for little ones, the sports complex now offers an enrichment program for children with developmental needs ages 18 months to 5 years. Called “CP Building Blocks,” the program targets language development, cognition, motor development and socialization. Each week children learn a new language concept and practice it through gross and fine motor activities, multi-sport activities, story time, music and cooking. (chelseapiers.com)

Gymtime Rhythm & Glues
Gymtime’s special needs program, called The Julian School, is designed to address the unique needs of preschool-age children with learning disabilities. Classes prepare children ages 3-5 who struggle in a typical classroom setting to transition into a mainstream school environment. Student-teacher ratios are kept low (one instructor and two assistants serve a class of no more than 12 children), and structured circle time activities facilitate concept-building as well as socialization. (gymtime.net)

Super Soccer Stars
Designed by early childhood, behavioral and soccer specialists, the Super Soccer Stars Special Needs program is geared toward kids with developmental disorders like ADHD, autism and Down syndrome. Classes deliver individual attention with a 2-to-1 child-to-coach ratio. Birthday parties and private classes of at least four children are also available. Classes are offered in Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn and The Bronx. (supersoccerstars.com)

Pictured: "CP Building Blocks" at Chelsea Piers.

Resources For NYC Families Of Children With Special Needs

ABC Early Intervention Program,
a-b-c.org

Advocates For Children,
advocatesforchildren.org

Bank Street Family Center,
bnkst.edu/fc/

Early Childhood Associates,
earlychildhoodassociates.org

Important Steps,
importantsteps.com

The JCC in Manhattan,
jccmanhattan.org

Los Ninos Services,
losninos.com

Resources For Children With Special Needs,
resourcesnyc.org

Theracare,
theracare.com

 YAI/NYL,
yai.org