Greater Massachusetts Special-Needs Events Newsletter for February & March 2021
July 8 4 2022 Accessible Beaches and Activities for Families in Massachusetts
Inclusive recreation across Massachusetts this July for all ages includes adaptive swimming, sailing, cycling, kayaking, "beep ball" and more. Transition -to-Adult events feature workshops for Navigating Transition Services & Supports and Preparing for Life After High School. More Events Include:
• COVID Repair: How to Rebuild Social Emotional Skills In An Unprecedented Era
• Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) Summer School
• Understanding and Managing Meltdowns 101
Transition-to-Adult Events Include:
• Preparing for Life after High School
• Navigating Transition Services & Supports
• What Does Independence Mean to Me?
We hope you are having a safe and sparkling Fourth of July vacation week! Sharon Marie
Beach Wheelchair
Accessible Spray Pools, Beaches & Beach Wheelchairs: Our Accessible Pools / Beach pages are listed on the left side of the page, and break out into four groups :
* Cape Cod - Accessible Beaches List
* Massachusetts Accessible Pools & Spray Decks
* Accessible Beaches/Beach Wheelchairs in Massachusetts
* Floating Beach Chairs...Read More
SEPAC Summer School for Special Education parent Advisory Councils in Massachusetts
Special-Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) Summer School: Online, through July 25th, with the FCSN in Massachusetts. Free. Open to all parents and family members in Massachusetts who want to learn more about participating on their local SEPAC. Every public school district in Massachusetts is required to...Read more
Understanding and Managing Meltdowns, 101
Understanding and Managing Meltdowns, 101: Webinar, July 7th, with MGH Aspire in Lexington. Free. For parents and caregivers of elementary school-aged children with ASD or a similar social profile who are looking for an introduction to the topic of Managing Meltdowns. Participants will review typical triggers, strategies to help manage each phase of the meltdown...Read more
Hearts and Hands Therapy Services for the Worcester Area - *ABA  * SPEECH THERAPY  *OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY  *PHYSICAL THERAPY.Contact us today! https://www.heartsandhandstherapy.com/find-your-therapy-team/
COVID Repair: How to Rebuild Social Emotional Skills In An Unprecedented Era: Webinar, July 8th, with the League School in Walpole. Free and open to the public. Caroline Maguire, author Why Will No One Play with Me?, will discuss helping children manage their own behaviors and emotions, build healthy relationships, good decisions...Read more
Emotions Clinic for Youth with Disabilities: Hadley, July 11th – August 20th in person, with Whole Children. For ages 10-16 with special needs. Students explore a wide range of emotions, with a focus on happiness, anger, sadness, and fear/anxiety to help recognize these emotions in themselves, understand their triggers...Read more
"The Autistic Brain" Workshop for Caregivers in Massachusetts
"The Autistic Brain" Workshop for Caregivers: East Sandwich, July 12th. Free. Co-hosted by Pediatric Neurologist Margaret Bauman, and David Amaral of the University of California MIND Institute’s Autism Center of Excellence. Autism is characterized by many co-occurring conditions such as anxiety, what is the evidence...Read more
Parent Consultant Training Institute For Massachusetts Families: Summer 2022
Parent Consultant Training Institute (PTCI) For Massachusetts Families: Online, through August 8th, with The Federation for Children with Special Needs. Designed to provide parents and professionals with a solid foundation in special education laws, procedures, and related subjects. Develop your knowledge to support your own child in special education or to becoming an advocate...Read more

Inclusive Recreation for All Ages

Easterseals Ma Adaptive Swim: Worcester
Easterseals MA Adaptive Swim: Worcester July & August. Free. For ages 5 -12, and 13+ with disabilities and their families. This adaptive recreational swim program (these are not swim lessons) will be led by aquatics instructors and a lifeguard. Groups participate in safety activities and water games that maximize independence in water...Read more
Open Swim for Special Needs Families in the Holyoke communities
Open Swim for Special-Needs Families: With the Bureau for Exceptional Children and Adults at JERICHO in Western Massachusetts, July 6th - September 14th. Free. Family pool time for people with disabilities and their families. Includes a picnic tables, a playground, wheel chair swing and Mommy and Me swing. Participants are required to...Read more
Prevent Summer Slide. 1:1 Support for Students with Dyslexia, ADHD, & Executive Function Challenges. Multisensory Instruction in Reading, Writing & Math. Schedule Your Free Consultation Today! Danvers - 978-774-0094  Needham 781-444-5193 or visit www.commlearn.com
Find Sensory-Friendly Movies on our Inclusive Movies Page (2)
Sensory-Friendly Movies:
AMC:
Burlington, Framingham, Methuen, N. Dartmouth, Tyngsboro
“Minions: Rise of Gru”, 7/9
“Thor: Love and Thunder”, 7/13
"Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank", 7/23
O'Neil Cinemas: Littleton, MA, Epping, NH
“Thor: Love and Thunder”, 7/9
"Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank", 7/23
...Read more
Adaptive Sailing for ages 6 - 18 with Visual & Mobility Impairments: Boston
Adaptive Sailing for ages 6 - 18 with Visual & Mobility Impairments: Boston. July 6th - August 31st, with Adaptive Sports New England. Free. Sailors ages 6-18 who have a visual or mobility impairment will meet to learn the basics of sailing. Parents and siblings may join sailors by...Read more
Adaptive Kayaking: East Sandwich & North Shore
Adaptive Kayaking: East Sandwich & North Shore Through September 7th, Brewster, Charlestown, South Hamilton, with Spaulding Rehabilitation. For all abilities and ages - there are some limitations. For paddling solo or in tandem, they have a fleet of kayaks that offer extra seating support, one-handed paddling or the use of foot-pedals...Read more
Adaptive Cycling in Eastern Massachusetts
Adaptive Cycling in Eastern Massachusetts Charlestown, Peabody and Brewster, through- October 19th, with Spaulding Rehabilitation Network. All abilities welcome.
Cycle options include adult and child size 3-wheeled recumbent hand and leg-cycles, tandem cycles...Read more
Berklee School of Music Program ABLE Day Sessions Summer Music Program for Musicians with Disabilities
Adaptive Kayaking in Massachusetts' Parks
Adaptive Kayaking in Massachusetts' Parks: Concord, Goshen, Natick, Worcester, July 6th - August 30th. The State of Massachusetts DCR Universal Access program offers adaptive and accessible kayaking in state parks. This includes small groups outings to allow enjoying the...Read more
Sensory-Friendly Evenings at the Botanic Gardens
Sensory-Friendly Evenings at the Botanic Gardens: Boylston, July 13th In partnership with HMEA’s Autism Resource Central of Worcester, the New England Botanic Garden invite individuals and families seeking a low-sensory, less crowded environment for a night of exploring the gardens after hours. For all ages. Tickets must be...Read more
Beep Baseball for All Abilities: Medford
Beep Baseball for All Abilities: Medford, July 9th - August 13th, with Adaptive Sports New England. Want to try to hit a beeping baseball? Run to a buzzing base? Join Adaptive Sports New England at their clinics where you can learn the sport regardless of your visual abilities. The team will include instruction, exercise, friendship and fun, and is for all ages and skill levels...Read more
Miracle League "Fall Ball" Baseball: Western Massachusetts
Miracle League "Fall Ball" Baseball: Western Massachusetts Sign ups ongoing until August 5th, or when they reach max participants of 60 players. For ages 4-19, with physical and/or cognitive disabilities. The Miracle League of Western Massachusetts provide children and adults of all abilities the chance to play baseball in Western Mass and...Read more

Transition & Adult Events

Build Skills for College Success - Easter Seals Massachusetts College Navigator 1-to1 support for students with any disability. Contact us today https://www.easterseals.com/ma/our-programs/college-navigator/?utm_source=spedmass&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=college-nav 275x300 Digital Ads
Fellowships in Boston For Individuals with Developmental Disabilities & Family Members
Fellowships in Boston For Individuals with Developmental Disabilities & Family Members: Submission Deadlines for both -July 15th. The Allen C. Crocker Fellowship is for family members of individuals with developmental disability. The Barbara Wilensky Gopen Memorial Fellowship is for individuals with developmental disabilities ..Read more
Puberty for Young Adults with Disabilities: What You Might Have Missed in Middle School Clinic
Puberty Clinic for Young Adults with Disabilities: What You Might Have Missed in Middle School Clinic: July & August , with Milestones of Hadley. For ages 16-22. Designed for students of all abilities to foster confidence and competence in a way that is fun and comfortable. It will cover basic anatomy, physical changes, social and emotional change...Read more
Planning a Life for a Special Needs Family Member in Massachusetts
What Does Independence Mean to Me? Webinar, July 21st, with SPaN Massachusetts. A panel of youth/young adults with disabilities will discuss what independence means to them and what skills helped them towards that goal. Too often we discuss independence without involving young adults in the conversation. Being independent will look different to each of them and it's important..Read more
Preparing for Life after High School Summer Program for Youth with Disabilities in Boston
Preparing for Life after High School Summer Program for Youth with Disabilities: In-person and online programs in Dorchester, Chelsea and Boston, July - August 19th, with the Boston Center for Independent Living. For students with disabilities ages 14-22. Topics will include: * Work Skills * Interview skills * Professionalism * Exploration of college and other post-secondary education options...Read more
What Autistic Individuals Need to Know About College
What Autistic Individuals Need to Know About College: Webinar, July 13th, with the Asperger / Autism Network of Watertown, MA. A panel of three college professionals — consultants who specialize in advising and placing autistic individuals in college and university programs throughout the US, along with directors of student support...Read more
Advertise your therapeutic  Recreation ,  School or Disability Supports to our Readers. Contact us today!  info@spedchildmass.com or 508-303-3424
AD Newsletter Signup Page Website 300 w x 225 JUNE 2022
Navigating Services & Supports Transition Workshop
Navigating Services & Supports Transition Workshop Webinars, July 20th. Arc of Massachusetts Transition Webinars will offer different topics each month as group consultations. These consultation sessions provide information and resources for specific areas of need, who to call, where to go, and best practices to guide...Read more
"Whole Selves" Self Esteem, Intimacy & Consent for Special Needs Young Adults
"Whole Selves" Self Esteem, Intimacy & Consent for Special Needs Young Adults: Whole Selves Classes run through August 19th, with Pathlight Program of Greenfield, MA. The Parent session will cover how Whole Selves aims for straightforward, empowering, and comprehensive sexuality education for people with intellectual disabilities...Read more
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There's just not enough room! Find lots more events and recreation on our category tabs on our website. Below are our pages dedicated to specific disability challenges and needs.

Assistive Technology/Medically Complex Events in Massachusetts

Autism & Asperger Workshops & Events in Massachusetts

Special Needs Financial & Legal Help in Massachusetts

Down Syndrome & II/ID Events in Massachusetts

Recreation for Families with Special Needs in Massachusetts

Family Mental Health Workshops in Massachusetts

Special Needs Camps & Camp Fairs Massachusetts