You don’t have to go far to get your child with special needs involved in the right sports program. We did the legwork for you! Here are some highlights in our area:
ANIBIC (Association for Neurologically Impaired Brain Injured Children)
61-35 220th Street, Oakland Gardens
(718) 423-9550; www.anibic.org
Their Saturday Recreation Program and Summer Recess for ages 5-17 offers children with developmental disabilities fun-filled activities that include karate, swimming, gym activities, dance and movement, and sand and water sensory exercises. All activities are supervised by trained educators and are conducted in small groups, encouraging each child’s full participation in the program.
Dancing Dreams
(718) 428-2600; www.dancingdreams.org
Started by a pediatric physical therapist so little girls with physical and mental disabilities could learn to dance. Each dancer, aged 3-17, has a “helper,” a high school student who is trained to assist her dancer during class.
MKD Karate, Kickboxing & Self-Defense
72-26 Roosevelt Avenue, 2nd Floor, Jackson Heights
(347) 560-0653; www.mkdkarate.com
This traditional karate school, with roots in Kyokushin karate as well as modern aspects of kickboxing, offers classes for special needs children aged 4-18. Classes sizes are limited to 6 children at a time and are aimed at developing attention, self-control, mental toughness, physical resilience and spiritual awareness. Families come together through shared training.
SoccerRockets
75-34 Bell Boulevard, Bayside
(347) 693-8997; www.SoccerRockets.com
Classes, for children ages 2-8, are specifically designed by professionals to teach the importance of fitness, help to develop motor skills and create self-confidence through games and activities. In addition to soccer, instruction is provided in volleyball, basketball, hockey, yoga, baseball and lacrosse.
