Skyzone

On the 2nd Monday (5-7pm) and Tuesday (2-4pm) of each month, Sky Zone will turn off the music and dial down the distractions for the comfort of our extra special jumpers.  We welcome children and adults with special needs and their siblings, family and friends to jump for 60 minutes for just $8.  We will make every effort to accommodate all jumpers with any kind of special needs. 

http://www.skyzone.com/fortwayne

Summit Academy of Gymnastics

" A unique class for special children"

Our free class here at the Academy enables children to experience their own capabilities in physical applications, utilizing methods associated with learning gymnastics. Each individual, with the help of a parent, will experience stimulation while improving fitness levels. Many activities/stations, with a wide range of abilities, will be in place at the class so all can enjoy a feeling of success. We are very excited and looking forward to classes full of fun. 

(260) 482-2511

http://www.summitacademyofgymnastics.com/ourlittlenitaclassin.htm

Springhill Day Camp

Springhill Day Camp at The Chapel is an inclusion based camp for children 1-4th grade—children with special needs receive a one on one counselor. Activities vary, but usually include arts and crafts, rock climbing, and water activities.

https://www.springhillcamps.com/IN/daycamp/fort_wayne.aspx#sthash.omkt5OAH.dpuf

Turnstone Summer Speech Camp

For children ages 3-8 years old. Each week we will have a theme based program specifically geared toward speech and language skills.  Each group of children will be led through camp activities by a Turnstone staff speech language pathologist. To register for the camp three simple forms must be completed and a copy of your child’s IEP or plan of care from his or her current speech language pathologist is needed .

http://turnstone.org/2012/04/summer-speech-camp/

Turnstone Sports

Turnstone is a designated Paralympic Sports Club.  Our sports and recreation programs are fun, educational and physically-challenging. The program is designed for children and adults, age 5 and older, with physical disabilities. Turnstone’s sports and recreation program include wheelchair basketball, wheelchair tennis, power soccer, sled hockey and boccia. Other adaptive sports and recreational programs are offered throughout the year; please call (260) 483.2100 for information on other programs currently available.

http://turnstone.org/what-we-do/sports-recreation/

Dare to Dream Youth Ranch

Dare to Dream Youth Ranch serves the Fort Wayne and surrounding area by offering groups of children 4-18 years of age the opportunity to experience a horse ranch and develop the values of integrity, leadership and compassion through hard work, cooperation and caring for horses in a supervised and supportive environment.

Our Mission: “Encourage the child, heal the horses, strengthen the family and spread the message of hope.”

• We don’t charge admission

• We don’t exclude anybody

• We have no paid volunteers

• We do this because believe what we offer is priceless

http://www.daretodreamyouthranch.org/

Oak Hill Farm

Therapeutic riding is suitable for any number of people with disabilities, including autism, cerebral palsy, learning disabilities, ADD, muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, paralysis, amputation, down syndrome, spina bifida, neuromuscular disorders, post-traumatic brain injury, and more.

Therapeutic horseback riding is a special connection - in which horses, disabled children (and adults), compassionate volunteers, and professional instructors and physical therapists join together to contribute positively to the cognitive, physical, emotional, and social well-being of people with disabilities. It affects the lives of everyone involved.

In addition to being around the horses, our students are also exposed to other aspects of farm life, including various ducks on the pond and lots of cats and kittens--as well as sheltie puppies, which are bred and sold at the farm.

Oak Hill Farm strives to expand the lives of special needs riders of all ages. We work with our clients to achieve independent riding as their physical (dis)abilities will allow. Our goal is to develop independence and strength.

Therapeutic riding uses the horse and equine-oriented activities to achieve a variety of therapeutic goals, stressing the physical, emotional, social and behavioral growth of the rider. When riding a horse, the rider feels the horse’s soothing rhythm, strength, warmth, and movement pattern. This relationship between a horse’s movement at a walk and the movement of a normal human allows the rider to learn or relearn movements that may have been absent or impaired. As the horse walks, this movement is shifted to the rider, providing the stimulation necessary for stronger muscles, better balance and coordination, and improved gait. The student also gains self-confidence and experiences a freedom never felt before.

There is no typical riding session because each session is designed to fit the specific needs of the rider. A lesson plan and goals are developed for each child’s individual needs in collaboration with Brenda, the child, the therapist, and the parents. Lesson time includes grooming, saddling, and riding. Also incorporated into the lessons, as appropriate for each individual, is educational information on horse anatomy, saddle parts, care of horses, feeding, cleaning and storing tack. Activities may include things for motor control, games to improve attention, obstacle courses to develop patterning and memory skills, and much more.

http://www.oakhillfarm.org/index.html

Summit Equestrian Center

Therapeutic riding is mounted horseback riding for the purpose of contributing positively to cognitive, physical, emotional and social well-being of people with disabilities through the teaching of horsemanship skills.

      Benefits of therapeutic riding include:

• Promoting strength

• Increasing flexibility

• Developing balance

• Improving coordination

• Helping breathing and circulation

• Boosting self-confidence

• Building self-esteem

 Hippotherapy refers to the use of movement of the horse as a treatment strategy by Physical or Occupational Therapist and Speech/Language Pathologists to address impairments, functional limitations and disabilities in patients with neuromotor and sensory dysfunction.  This treatment strategy is used as part of an integrated treatment program to achieve functional goals.

Equine-facilitated Psychotherapy is an interactive process in which a licensed mental health professional, working with an appropriately credentialed equine professional, partners with suitable equines to address psychotherapy goals set forth by the mental health professional and client.

      Benefits of Equine-facilited Psychotherapy include:

• Fostering patience and empathy

• Boosting trust and confidence

• Enhancing attentiveness to others

• Increasing control over one's own emotions of frustration and anger

• Bettering communication skills

Equine-facilited Learning is an educational approach to equine-assisted activities developed and organized by credentialed practitioners with the primary intent to facilitate personal growth and development of life skills through equine interactions.

• Benefits of Equine-facilitated Learning includes:

• Developing strong work ethic through dedication, time and effort in caring for horses

• Fostering self-esteem and self-confidence

• Helping us better understand our own non-verbal communication

• Enhancing self-awareness

http://www.summitequestrian.org/

AWS/Benchmark - Music Therapy

Music therapy engages the whole person and stimulates all senses. Each musical element — rhythm, lyrics and melody — evokes responses that affect one's cognitive, emotional and physical abilities. In fact, it is a proven and effective way to help people with disabilities develops new skills.

However, benefits go beyond music. Through vocal and instrumental music, the therapy helps build non-musical skills such as:

• Communication

• Socialization

• Physical endurance

• Attention span

• Enhanced memory

• Fine and gross motor skills

• Independence

• Emotional expression

• Stress management

http://awsbenchmark.com/

Meaningful Day Services

Recreation, Music, and Equine Therapy

Recreational therapy, also referred to as therapeutic recreation, is defined as a profession of specialists who utilize activities as a form of treatment for persons who are physically, mentally or emotionally disabled. Differing from diversional or recreation services, recreational therapy utilizes various activities as a form of active treatment to promote the independent physical, cognitive, emotional and social functioning of persons disabled as a result of trauma or disease, by enhancing current skills and facilitating the establishment of new skills for daily living and community functioning.

Horseback riding as a form of recreational therapy can be extremely beneficial to clients with a variety of disabilities. A horses' movement simulates a human's gait by generating the same movement used for walking in the hips and back. This can be especially beneficial to people who are in wheelchairs or have trouble with their gait. Horseback riding also increases balance through the inner ear; it increases joint mobility and strength; can create a sense of relaxation, and can build trust, confidence and self-esteem.

Music Therapy is a well-established allied health profession similar to occupational and physical therapy. It consists of using music therapeutically to address behavioral, social, psychological, communicative, physical, sensory- motor, and/or cognitive functioning. Because music therapy is a powerful and non-threatening medium, unique outcomes are possible. Music Therapy uses music to address non-musical goals. Musicality is not the goal of music therapy, but assists the method used to reach a therapeutic outcome.

6142 Saint Joe Center Rd. #171, Fort Wayne, IN 46835
(260) 517-3811

http://meaningfuldays.com/

Ferraro Behavior Services

Music and Recreation Therapy

We strive to offer the highest quality service for individuals with disabilities.  Our consultants and therapists demonstrate professionalism and caring in the implementation of treatment strategies. 

The overall goal is for our clients to achieve whatever they desire.  We will do our best to foster growth and shape positive behaviors at a pace that is appropriate for that individual.  We will reinforce the participation of the entire team to change behavior or increase skill level in our clients.  If we all work together for a common goal we will increase the potential for success and personal growth in our clients. 

10319 Dawson's Creek Suite G Fort Wayne, IN 46825-1904

(260)414-4713

jamesferraro@frontier.com

http://www.ferrarobehaviorservices.com/

AWS/Benchmark - Recreational Therapy

We believe everyone deserves the opportunity to play and grow. In the Recreation Therapy Program, we help people grow as they play-whether through arts and crafts, community outings, swimming, games, sports, or other activities.

The benefits of Recreation Therapy are many. In addition to being fun, the therapy inspires confidence, independence, and helps to build other skills including:

Refines gross motor skills for strength and stability that benefit walking, standing, or sitting comfortably.
Enhances fine motor skills for better eye-hand coordination important to daily activities.
Sharpens mental abilities and increases concentration-enabling the individual to make better decisions, as well as delineating between wants and needs.
Improves verbal and non-verbal communication skills.
Develops social and leisure skills for building a well-rounded personal life.

At AWS/Benchmark, our clients come first. That's why we offer diverse programming and flexible hours.

http://awsbenchmark.com

Bing It Adaptive Programs

We are now offering adaptive programming!! This will include the same opportunities as our other programs. There will be movement for 45 mins that will allow for all levels, followed by an interactive workshop in several topics, self love, healthy relationships, self advocacy, confidence building, nutrition, etc. This is most beneficial for high functioning participants needing minimal assistance.

Age 11 up Coed (teen and young adult cognitive content)

Adaptive Workshop: Free

Each Monday starting October 5th from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m.

Bring It Push It Own It - 1008 N. Wells St. Fort Wayne, IN 46808

https://www.bringitpushitownit.com/adaptive-programming