Community Events
Sensory Friendly Open Jam Session- Matthews Library June 1st 10:30am
Piedmont Music Therapy extends an invitation to the upcoming Sensory-Friendly Open Jam Session sponsored by the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library – Matthews Location.
We are thrilled that a public library system is offering this inclusive event for folks to attend and celebrate music making with familiar and new friends at the library.
Please register at cmlibrary.org or call 704-416=5000, ext.2 so we will have plenty of instruments available. Contact us with any questions about the event and hopefully you can make plans to attend!
iCan Bike- June 17th through 21st with Autism Charlotte- Register Here
The iCan Bike Camp (formerly Lose the Training Wheels™) is a national program that utilizes highly trained coaches and technicians, uniquely adaptive equipment, a proven methodology and scores of volunteers to assist each child. It is a week-long camp that teaches children with a variety of disabilities to ride a conventional two-wheel bike.
Calendar of Free Events in Union County
Charlotte on the Cheap Calendar of Upcoming Events in Charlotte Area
Specialized Programs for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities will be available starting in the spring at the David Phillips Activity Center, 946 Burrage Rd. NE Concord. Click the link above for more information and to register.
Many Special Needs Summer Camps are accepting registration.
Piedmont Music Therapy, LLC will be offering traditional music based camps and therapeutic camp options. Summer Camp Registration is available online at https://www.piedmontmusictherapy.com/summer-camps.html
Workshops and Conferences
Improving Focus and Concentration
Live on Understood.org.
Mon May 20 at 12:00pm ET
Is your child easily distracted? Does your child have a hard time finishing homework or chores? Join this chat with child psychologist Stephanie Sarkis, Ph.D., to ask your questions and learn some strategies for helping your child stay focused.
Webinar: Understanding Processing Speed
Live on Understood.org.
Thu May 23 at 12:00pm ET
Does your child struggle to keep up in class? Or take longer to respond to questions or finish homework? You may be interested in how processing speed affects kids who learn and think differently. Join us for this webinar with Ellen Braaten, Ph.D., coauthor of Bright Kids Who Can’t Keep Up, to learn more about processing speed.
Ongoing Activities
Dance Trends Foundation offers free dance lessons to those in wheelchairs on Thursdays 1:00 pm, and all other disabilities on Mondays at 4:00 pm at the Midtown Ballroom, 1133 Metropolitan Ave #180, Charlotte, NC 28204. For more information or to get connected please contact 704-892-7000.
Upcycling University is hosted by ZABS Place and Friendship Circle of Charlotte. It is a craft-based program designed to build community among individuals with special needs while they learn new skills to promote financial independence. Weekly sessions of crafting and “reduce, reuse, restyle” art projects which help participants learn how to reuse everyday items in creative ways.
Location is at ZABS Place, 100 N. Trade Street, Matthews, NC 28105. 704.708.5600
Free admission to Schiele Museum on the second Tuesday of each month. In an effort to ensure access for the community to The Schiele Museum’s education and resources, Duke Energy has sponsored Free Tuesdays for the 2019 year. Free Tuesday offers free general admission to all on the second Tuesday of
every month from 4 PM to 8 PM.
Special Needs/Abilities and Talents Parent Meeting
Fourth Monday every month
6:30 to 8:00 PM
Carolinas Medical Center
2700 Providence Road S, Waxhaw, NC 28173
The Community Room (Back Entrance near ER)
At each meeting, participants share their experience and knowledge to help each other navigate the details and available resources. The group often has speakers, experts, and presentations to further help manage their lives and loved ones’ lives. It is an open forum for mutual help and support. Facilitated and sponsored by:
The Sheperd’s Lodge & Covenant Case Management Services
(Childcare available with prior notification*)
Two Hearts One Language
hosted at Rose Hill Stables
6623 Prospect Rd. Monroe, NC 28112
twoheartsonelanguage@gmail.com
704-591-0227
Two Hearts One Language provides equine assisted learning to at-risk youth, victims of domestic violence, veterans with PTSD, dysfunctional families, children with mental, emotional or physical disabilities and more. No one is turned away for lack of ability to pay. They are a 501c3 and will find you a sponsor.
Misty Meadows Mitey Riders
455 Providence Road South
Weddington, NC 28173
ridewithus@miteyriders.org
704-841-0602
Misty Meadows Mitey Riders provides equine-assisted therapy to special needs children, ranging in age from 5-17, with varying conditions including autism, cerebral palsy and Down Syndrome, and more. Riders experience a variety of activities which challenge them cognitively, physically and socially, all while developing a long-term relationship with horses.
Circle of Parents– The Arc of Union/Cabarrus
Contact: Amy Oster
Circle of Parents Facilitator
aoster@thearcisthere.org
704-441-7029
Circle of Parents® provides a friendly, supportive environment led by parents and other caregivers for special needs children. The bilingual (Spanish & English) parents’ group is a place where anyone in a parenting role can openly discuss the successes and challenges of raising special needs children. (IDD parent support group)
The support group is for parents who have a child between birth and age 5 with a special need. There is also a children’s program for both the young child and their siblings that takes place during the parent support group meetings. This Circle of Parents program is funded by and in partnership with Alliance for Children.
Meets two Fridays out of the month in Monroe from 6:30-8:30 p.m
Inclusive Parks and Playgrounds in Mecklenburg County Inclusive playgrounds are for children of all abilities. The surface is appropriate for wheelchairs and walkers and the equipment is accessible via ramps. Adapted swings are appropriate for children who may still need the safety of a shoulder strap and high seat back. Inclusive playgrounds also contain sensory equipment such as equipment that provides unique visual, tactile, and auditory stimulation. It appears that many, but not all of these playgrounds may have engineered wood fiber for surfacing. You can see what the playground looks like by clicking on the name.
There’s an All-Inclusive Playground at Crooked Creek Park in Union County at 5900 Oakwood Lane in Indian Trail.
There’s also an All-Inclusive Playground in Rowan County, at Ellis Park.
North Carolina Wheelchair Accessible Trails and Maps
In His Image: A Ministry for Individuals Affected by Disability
Our desire is to come alongside families affected by disability. We desire to be of support in building a spiritual foundation that will lead children to grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ. COR Kids offers a class for adaptive learning needs and a sensory room during the D & L hour (9:00AM) and worship hour (10:30AM). We also have wonderful volunteers who desire to come alongside children in our classrooms. For more information about COR Kids, please contact Melissa Hines: 704-225-0161or mhines@redeemerweb.com.
The Sheperd’s Lodge Ministries
Our Services Include
Residential Support Services for 18+ // Adult Therapeutic Recreational Day Center//Day Activities // Community Resource and Advocates // Health and Wellness // Animal and Pet Therapy // Farm Life and more…
Parents can check out our events calendar and text or email Ann Sheperd at 704 953 3128 thesheperdslodge@hotmail.com
Stone Theatres Sensory Friendly Screenings
Check link above for dates and movie titles.
Sensory Friendly Screenings are designed to create a more accepting and comfortable setting for the sensitive audience. The movie auditorium will have the lights brought up and the sound turned down. Audience members are welcome to get up, sing, walk, and dance.
$5.00 Admission $1 Drinks & $1 Popcorn
A similar program is offered by AMC
AMC offers sensory friendly family-friendly films on the second and fourth Saturday of every month. Please check the link above for dates and movie titles.
Exceptional Moms Group- 1st Friday of each month, 9:30 am
For God’s glory and the encouragement of moms, the EMG is committed to encouraging, praying for, and supporting moms of children with disabilities and chronic health problems. We meet the first Friday of each month from 9:30am-11:30 am at Church of the Redeemer Office Building (2605 W. Roosevelt Blvd. Monroe, NC 28110).
Carolina Twisters Dance Class- Thursdays 5:00 pm
A dance class for children with developmental disabilities that limit their mobility.
Brothers and sisters welcome as well!
Provided by: faculty and students from Wingate
University’s Doctor of Physical Therapy Program
Supervised by: Mary Swiggum, PT, DPT, PCS. Board
Certified Specialist in Pediatric Physical Therapy
If interested, please email: m.swiggum@wingate.edu
Sky High Sports Trampoline Park- First Tuesday of the Month
On the first Tuesday of every month, Sky High Sports turns off the music, dims the lights and dials down the distractions for the comfort of our guests.
Wheelchair Basketball- Preschool Through Adult
The mission of the Rollin’ Hornets is to promote independence for both children and adults with physical disabilities and provide opportunities to pursue active, healthy lifestyles in adaptive sport class
Matthews United Methodist Church Rainbow Ark Special Needs Sunday School Classes
9:30 and 11:00 am Sunday School classes for elementary children with special needs – Room 104
9:30 and 11:00 am Sunday School classes for teens with special needs – Room 110
9:30 am Sunday School class for young adults with special needs – Room 180
Calvary Church Sunday Worship and Small Group Activities
The Special Needs Ministry at Calvary welcomes all ages and abilities! Guests (including parents and caregivers) are always invited to join us. We focus on providing our students with opportunities to worship, to grow in their faith, and to serve in our church and community.
Southeast Psych Groups for Children ages Tk through 17
offers many different groups for adults & children of all ages at both the Southpark and Ballantyne locations.
Sensory Friendly Sundays at SEA LIFE Charlotte-Concord Aquarium
The 2nd Sunday of Every Month 9-11 AM
Enjoy the aquarium two hours before the public for a sensory-friendly underwater journey. The aquarium welcomes all families with children on the autism spectrum or children with sensory processing disorders to this event.
The aquarium has been adjusted to best reduce sensory triggers throughout each exhibit and has also created a safe place or comfort room, which can be utilized at any time.
Resources
First in Families of Southern Piedmont
1653-C Campus Park Drive
Monroe, NC 28112
704-261-1550
The Southern Piedmont Chapter of First in Families is housed within The Arc of Union/Cabarrus and we are a private, not-for-profit agency of last resort providing a safety net for many families requiring assistance with specific needs. This can mean anything from help with securing a communication device to help with funding for eyeglasses, therapeutic summer camps, wheelchairs or ramps. An application for assistance can be found here: http://fifsp.com/applications.
Smart Start Resource Center
The Smart Start Resource Center offers multicultural and educational materials for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers of Union County, North Carolina. It is a lending library of more than 5,000 books, subject-focused play items, and art utensils among other items. All play materials are designed for children from birth to age 5. The center also offers early childhood resource books for parents, guardians, and teachers. Check the link for hours of operation.
CharlotteParent.com list of Special Needs Resources – may be searched by county and/or category
The Department of Health and Human Services offers a toll-free helpline for parents of and professionals who work with Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs (CYSHCN). These children have or are at risk for chronic physical, developmental, behavioral or emotional conditions, and require health and other specialized services.
The helpline provides information about potential benefits, services and resources these children may be eligible for. To reach the helpline, call 1-800-737-3028 or email CYSHCN.Helpline@dhhs.nc.gov.
The Innovative Approaches Project is working to improve the service systems for children and youth with special health care needs from birth to 21. This system improvement work is being carried out in Cabarrus, Rowan and Union counties by working in partnership with medical providers, community agencies and most importantly, parents of children and youth with special health care needs.
The mission of Special Olympics is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities or closely related developmental disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills, and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.
Sickle Cell Partners of the Carolinas (SCPOC) is a non?profit 501c (3) tax-exempt organization that exists to “partner” with anyone working to make a difference in the lives of patients and families affected by Sickle Cell Disease.
The Down Syndrome Association of Greater Charlotte (DSAGC) is a non-profit, family support organization. The goal of the DSAGC and its families is to enable individuals with Down syndrome (Ds) to reach their full potential and become respected members of their community.
The Exceptional Children’s Assistance Center (ECAC) is dedicated to empowering families and improving lives, particularly for North Carolina families raising children ages 0 to 26 with disabilities. As a non-profit organization operated by and staffed primarily with parents of children with disabilities, they understand the needs of families as they navigate the special education process.
– Call a Parent Educator to get individual information or assistance (1-800-962-6817).
– Borrow a book or DVD for yourself or your child from our Lending Library.https://www.ecac-parentcenter.orglending-library/
– Sign up for our mailing and email lists.
Signposts Ministries Equipment Loan Program
The Equipment Loan Program is a program that matches children with needed medical equipment that is not covered by insurance (or is covered by insurance but receipt is delayed) and loans it to them for the duration of need. The program also provides a way for families to “give back” by donating medical equipment to other children that their child has outgrown or no longer needs.