ML Interest Tag: speech-therapy

Reclaiming the Joy of Childhood as an Adult

By Clarise Pedersen

Years ago I read an article about a young mom going through a horrific divorce.  To mentally combat the abuse she suffered, her therapist recommended she focus on what made her happy as a child.

As children, we are blessed with innocence and freedom. As a Southern girl, a day of raking pine straw from the tall trees that stood as pillars in our vast front yard, could easily turn from chore to play.  That same pine straw allowed my sisters and I to become birds with personalities all our own, intent on building the finest nest in all of Georgia.

As a mom, do I let the same creative joy envelop me? I can say for a fact that the last time I mowed the lawn, washed the dishes, or did the laundry, those actions felt like chores—necessary, but still something to trudge through.  Yet, I often reflect on that once-familiar article, not because I’m going through a divorce (I’m not), but because sometimes I look at my children and yearn for the joy that envelops them.

My remedy came one day during a familiar mom task . . . waiting. Between preschool carpool and speech therapy, I found myself waiting in a parked car on a sunny day for ten minutes to pass so I could trade one waiting area for another.  I opened the car door and helped my son out. The green grassy field ahead of us was too inviting for him to pass up. His little feet hit the pavement and ran, desperate to feel like Frauline Maria in an open field, without ever knowing The Sound of Music himself. Seeing him exuberant flipped a switch in me.

My parental boredom gave way to an opportunity long forgotten. Several long branches lay at the base of a nearby shady tree.  “Wanna sword fight?” I proposed with a smirk to my eager son. As we swung branches around like Jack Sparrow, I realized the joy was there. It had always been there. And I was ready to reclaim it.

I'm a southern momma learning everything boys.  My kids make me happy and crazy all at the same time and I wouldn't have it any other way.

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Alexa, The Best Child Care You Never Knew You Had

By Katherine Prescott

Alexa is an incredible resource for parents with kids of all ages. From bedtime routines to keeping household supplies stocked to giving free speech therapy, Alexa can help make parenting a little easier.

Here are 5 ways using Alexa can make you a better parent:

#1. Set up a bedtime Alexa routine for your little ones

Why?

All sleep experts will agree that having a consistent bedtime routine sets your child up for a better night of sleep. And all parents would agree that a better night of sleep for your children = a better night of sleep for you.

With an Alexa routine, you can keep your child’s bedtime ritual the same night after night… so even a new babysitter can do it right.

How?

  1. Open the Alexa app and tap the Menu icon (3 horizontal line icon in upper left corner)

  2. Select Routines

  3. Hit the Create Routine button (+ icon in upper right corner)

  4. Enter your go-to voice command for starting your nighttime routine (e.g. “Start [insert your kid’s name] bedtime routine”)

  5. Add any of the features you rely on most to get your little one ready for bed

Here’s the bedtime Alexa routine my friend Abby set up for her daughter Lily. When she says “Alexa, start Lily’s bedtime routine,” the below happens:

Pro Tips

Pro Tip #1: When the bedtime routine ends, that means Netflix time begins. Use your Fire TV Stick to turn on Netflix by holding the microphone button at the top and saying “Alexa, open Netflix.”

Pro Tip #2: If you haven’t already, update your Alexa settings to link your preferred music service account (like Spotify) to Alexa.

#2. Get free speech therapy

Why?

Between 2 and 4 years old, children can develop a language that only their parents can understand. Aunts, uncles, and grandparents will often ask you to decipher what your children are saying.

With Alexa, children have to speak very clearly to get their desired response.

How?

Let your children control the music selections for the evening, watch a cartoon, or hear a story, all by asking Alexa for it themselves. The more they practice, the more they’ll work on clear diction.

The next time the grandparents come to visit, they’ll be impressed both by their grandkids’ improved pronunciation and their taste in music.

#3. Keep your supplies stocked

Why?

What is it about children that has parents going to the local convenience store twice a day to stock up on diapers, wipes, hand sanitizers, sunscreen, batteries, yo-yo’s, etc.?

Use Alexa to keep your supplies stocked, and you’ll never be left without essentials again. Through Alexa, you can reorder diapers, wipes and other household items.

How?

Simply say, “Alexa, order diapers.”

Alexa will automatically process the sale for the diapers you last ordered. You can also add things to your Alexa shopping list and review them later in your Alexa app and on Amazon.com. So when your toddler has a meltdown because he can’t find his favorite toy, that’s now Alexa’s problem.

Pro Tips

Pro Tip #1: You can easily set up Alexa voice purchasing in the Alexa app. You can even add a 4-digit voice code to confirm Amazon purchases and payments if you want.

Pro Tip #2: If you have an Echo Show (with a screen), Alexa works great for ordering things you’ve never ordered before too.

#4. Start a dance party

Why?

On a cold rainy afternoon when you can’t get to the park, you’ve read all the books in your house, and it seems like you’ll never make it to bedtime… let Alexa save the day.

From Nursery Rhyme Party Time to Disney Junior, Amazon Music has playlists for every age.

How?

Simply ask Alexa to play a kid-friendly playlist from Amazon Music or Spotify, and Alexa will be your sunshine on a cloudy day.

Pro Tips

Pro Tip #1: If your kids run out of dance moves, you can enable the Animal Workout skill, which prompts your children to play their favorite game of pretend animal house.

Pro Tip #2: Once your children have sufficiently destroyed their entertainment space, have Alexa play the Clean Up song.

#5. Homework help

Why?

Alexa has a serious number of homework help skills. Try the Translated skill to translate from English to 37 other languages and the Smart Dictionary skill, which helps children decipher new words.

How?

To use any of these skills, tap the link in this post and select “Enable.” Alternatively, simply search the skill name in the Alexa app (or on Amazon.com) and select “Enable.”

Then, you can easily open the skill on any of your Alexa devices by simply saying “Alexa, open Smart Dictionary” (insert skill name of your choice!)

This post originally appeared on VoiceBrew.
Katherine Prescott
Tinybeans Voices Contributor

Katherine Prescott is the Founder & Editor of VoiceBrew, a digital media company focused on helping people get the most out of Alexa. Prior to launching VoiceBrew, Katherine was SVP and Head of Corporate Strategy at Highbridge Capital, a global alternative investment firm. She graduated from Harvard College in 2009.

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How to Teach Our Girls Why Self-Worth Is So Important

By Courtney Myers

Maybe it’s her newfound obsession with all things soccer-related or the fact that she watches far too many sports shows with her papa, but my daughter has found a new expression. Now, whenever anyone does something that’s not to her liking, she’ll furrow her brow, scrunch the rest of her face up into a grimace and point her finger, yelling “No! You are not in the game!”

She did this to me just this past week. She was dressed, on her tablet in the living room. We were late for school and it was freezing outside. I handed her the pink puffy jacket she’s been wearing all winter long and some cute gray boots that would match her kitty cat sweater perfectly.

She calmly put down the tablet and surveyed the accessories I’d chosen. Then, it happened. She threw the boots across the room and marched her jacket back over to the hook beside the door. “No, mama!” she exclaimed, “These are the wrong boots and I’m not wearing this jacket anymore. You are not in the game!”

She then proceeded to throw herself into a heap on the hardwood floor, sobbing over the unfairness of it all.

I sat down beside her and gathered her into my lap. Her hair was sticking to her cheeks from the tears and her once-angry face had turned into the saddest thing I’d seen all month. After several minutes of trying to translate her wails, I finally realized why she was so upset. She didn’t feel special in her gray boots and she wanted to wear her fancy red jacket so her teachers would think she “looked great.”

At 3 and a half, she’s already acutely aware of what other people think of her. On one hand, it’s an impressive demonstration of self-awareness at such a young age, but on the other, it’s a shame that she can’t just wear what’s comfortable without giving public perception a second thought. Wasn’t it just yesterday that she was rocking her baby mullet and poodle shirt through the store, not giving a second thought to the marker stains on her leggings?

I gave in and let her wear some other shoes and a different coat. When I picked her up from preschool the first thing she said to me was, “Mama! My teachers loved my red coat! Everyone gave me a big hug!”

I reminded her that her teachers loved her, not necessarily her coat and that she could be wearing a paper sack and we’d all feel the same way. I want so desperately to shield her from any negative feedback about her appearance, probably because I’ve been on the receiving end of such criticism myself and my mama tribe is full of other women still shouldering insecurities from their childhood.

One friend refuses to wear leggings because she’s afraid of exposing the shape of her thighs. Another struggled with crooked teeth her entire life and after researching the cost of clear aligners decided she couldn’t afford it and needed metal braces instead. Now, she rarely comes out with us anymore and likely won’t until they come off next year. One of my best girlfriends is so embarrassed by her freckles that she covers them in thick layers of foundation every morning before leaving the house and turned down a pool party invite a few years ago for fear of her makeup being washed off.

Then, there’s me. I was mocked severely in the sixth and eighth grades for my stutter. Both times, I was in the cafeteria around all of my friends when the incident occurred. It took me years of speech therapy and a pricey in-ear device to overcome my speech impediment, and I still won’t order through a drive-through or use a drive-up bank teller for fear of stammering in public.

Along the way, all of us encountered some form of opposition when it came to our looks. And while we love to tell ourselves (and teach our children) that “Sticks and stones might break my bones but words will never hurt me,” we know that to be incredibly untrue. Some of the most painful wounds I carry aren’t physical scars but emotional ones inflicted by immature peers, many of whom apologized to me years later after adolescence gave way to adulthood.

My daughter isn’t even 4 yet, and before she picks out her boots she’s wondering if her teachers and friends will think they’re pretty. As her mama, this reveals to me it’s time to tap into a very important aspect of parenthood: constructive confidence building.

This doesn’t mean that I’ll tell her she’s perfect or stunning all the time. I won’t coddle her into thinking that she can do no wrong and that everyone will always love her choice of haircut, her clothes, her hobbies or her interests. I can’t put her in a bubble and protect her from lunchroom bullies, broken hearts or words that spill out from a soul who feels unloved.

What I can do, as her mother and constant champion, is to remind her who she is and whose she is. I can hold her in my arms and whisper affirmations that speak to her spirit and her beautiful mind. I can remind her that her heart is the purest I know and that I’d walk a million miles across hot coals to look into her round, blue eyes.

I can do my part to build up within her a fortitude so strong that it can withstand all of life’s jests, letdowns and disappointments. It won’t happen overnight, and she’ll probably still second-guess her choice of footwear well into her 30s, but the really big stuff? Hopefully, I can help her figure that out long before then, so when the time comes to conjure up that certainty, she won’t have to think twice.

She’ll already know her worth.
Featured Photo Courtesy: Eye for Ebody/Unsplash

Hi, y'all! I'm Courtney. I'm a mama of two, married to my high-school sweetheart and making a life in the little town I grew up in. I'm a writer by trade, but a mama by heart. I love chocolate and I love family. Let's navigate this crazy, messy, blessed journey together! 

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Just Opened: A New Theraplay NYC Sensory Gym

by Mimi O'Connor

New York City is home to multiple pediatric sensory gyms, facilities where children with a range of developmental delays can receive therapy to help address those issues. One of them, Theraplay NYC has been operating on the Upper East Side for 10 years, and now the business is expanding to another area attracting more and more young families by the minute: Long Island City, Queens. Read on for what the new location is offering clients and area residents alike!

photo: Theraplay NYC

Same space, new name:
Theraplay NYC’s new facility wasn’t built from the ground up; another sensory gym, Sensory City, previously occupied the space 1,200-square-foot facility with 25-foot ceilings.

Owner Kimberly Mitchell is a former dancer who transitioned into physical therapy work and previously worked in the brain injury department at Bellevue Hospital before opening Theraplay NYC’s first location. A dedication to offering a therapy space that isn’t overcrowded combined with the desire to serve families outside of Manhattan lead to the establishment of Theraplay’s Long Island City outpost in July.

Familiar & fresh offerings
Neighborhood families will be happy to learn that Theraplay NYC is continuing to hold the open play sessions previously offered at Sensory City. Held Monday through Friday from 9:30 to 11:30, the open play periods let kids ages five and under make use of Theraplay NYC’s rock-climbing wall, ladders, zipline, monkey bars, giant castle and slide, as well as other sensory toys and games. The cost is $15, payable by cash or check.

photo: Theraplay NYC


Expanded therapy options
Theraplay NYC’s menu of services includes, and expands upon services provided by Sensory City. The gym offers physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy, as well as sessions for developing social skills and handwriting. The majority of the gym’s client’s are three to five years old, although kids as young as one year old, and as old as eight have received services. All therapy is one-on-one, with therapists possessing pediatric experience and incorporating socialization in each session. Theraplay NYC take insurance and also provides services in partnership with the New York City Department of Education.

Group classes
In addition individual therapy, Theraplay NYC offers drop-off, group classes open to anyone. Examples include Fine Motor Success (ages four and up) addressing grasp, hand strength, coordination, cutting skills, and age-appropriate writing skills; Wiggle, Talk & Giggle! A Social Skills and Sensory Group (ages three and up), and Play, Learn, and Get Set for Preschool! for kids two and three years old. (Check Theraplay NYC’s web site for fall schedule, posting in September.)

Theraplay NYC
11-11 44th Rd., Suite 402
Long Island City, Ny
718-433-4434
Online: theraplaynyc.com

What else is happening in Long Island City? Tell us in the comments below! 

— Mimi O’Connor

 

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19 Amazing Things to Do with Kids on the Spectrum

by LeTania Kirkland Smith

One of the things we love most about LA is that it is home to families of all shapes, sizes and varieties—which includes those with special needs and on the autism spectrum. There is also a growing community of support and activities available for families. From working with animals to getting out on the sports field, there are a million (or 19!) outings that are not only inclusive of kids with autism but specifically designed for them.

photo: The Gentle Barn

 

Working with Animals

The Gentle Barn
Ellie Laks founded The Gentle Barn in 1999 as a way to connect her love for animals and kids. Laks felt deeply connected to animals and believed in their healing qualities from a young age. Having studied psychology and special education she created the Gentle Barn to create a space where animals and children can heal each other.  The Gentle Barn is not a petting zoo but an animal sanctuary. The barn rescues abused and traumatized animals, brings them back to health and gives them a space to live the rest of their lives peacefully. The Barn is open to everyone but was also created  to provide a space for at-risk and special needs kids. Lak says the Barn is a safe, quiet space where kids can explore and “they are free to be themselves, they are completely accepted for how they show up, and the animals love them unconditionally.” The Gentle Barn is located in Santa Clarita and is open to the public Sundays from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Check their website for tickets and schedules.

15825 Sierra Highway
Santa Clarita
661-252-2440
Online: gentlebarn.org

Danny’s Farm
Danny’s Farm is an inclusive petting zoo that is housed at Cal Poly Pomona. The farm was created by former Dodger’s pitcher Jim Gott and his wife as a way to honor their son Danny, who has autism.  As they discovered more about their son, they found that he had a love for farm animals, which in turn had a therapeutic effect on him. The farm is operated by the Cal Poly Pomona’s Veterinary Sciences department and its students. While the farm no longer offers a specialty autism program, it does provide a safe space where all children are welcome. The farm is open Saturdays from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.,  March through mid-November. Danny’s Farm also hosts a mobile petting zoo, which will come to you.

4102 S. University Dr.
Pomona
909-896-7741
Online: dannysfarm.org

photo: Paul Weaver via Flickr

Get out on That Field: Sports and Rec

Little League Challenger Division
American Little League has stepped up to the plate to provide a safe and rewarding place for all kids to play ball. The Challenger League is open to kids 4-18 (or up to 22, if they are still in high school) and teams are created based on ability rather than age. The game is tweaked slightly to allow everyone a chance at bat and on the field and there is no score keeping. The buddy system is used, though players are encouraged to do as much on their own as possible with their buddy always nearby to help.  Check their website or call for more information about a Challenger division near you.

570-326-1921 x2254
Online: littleleague.org

AYSO VIP
The American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO) offer what the call the VIP program for all kids with special needs. In this program, trained coaches and volunteers work with kids and provides a “buddy system” during the games to help kids learn the game and interact with new friends in a safe and supportive environment. Check their website to get more details about league locations.

800-872-2976
Online: ayso.org

photo: Kids Like Me

The Help Group “Kids Like Me” Program
The Help Group has created a series of campuses throughout the L.A. that offers pre-K through high hchool programs for kids on the spectrum. “Kids Like Me” is an extracurricular program open to the public that offers typical after-school activities like sports, art, dance and even specialties like film making. The objective of the program is to combine fun activities with a social skills based curriculum. The staff is trained to observe interactions between students and use their experience as teachable moments for social interaction. The program is open to all students across the autism spectrum, and the faculty works to group kids chronologically and developmentally to ensure they are with the best possible peer group.

Locations in Sherman Oaks and Culver City. Check out their website for the current schedule.
Online: kidslikemela.org

photo: My Gym

Gymnastics Classes

Gymnastics For Life
Coach Shawn Marsh has been living in the world of gymnastics for over 30 years. As a teenager growing up in South LA, an introduction to gymnastics provided a focus to pull him through the challenges of the neighborhood and stoked a lifelong love for gymnastics. He has taught in gyms throughout the city and personally coached a Special Olympics gymnast who went on to earn 4 gold medals. Coach Marsh has developed a curriculum that offers “traditional” and “non-traditional” gymnastics that allows little gymnasts to set their own standards that are appropriate for their age and developmental stage. A big bonus is that Coach Marsh offers group classes and in-home visits throughout LA and the San Fernando Valley. Check the website for locations and details.

818-636-3397
Online: gymnasticsforlife.com

Broadway Gymnastics School
Broadway Gymnastics School has been in the business of training little gymnasts since 1979. With a huge facility near Playa Vista, Broadway Gymnastics offers traditional classes and a special needs program that has been recognized by the Autism Speaks organization. Classes are open to babes 18 months and up. 1-on-1 coaching is available as well as group classes. There are after-school classes as well as a variety of camps, because we can all use a little help when school is out.

5433 Beethoven St.
West LA
310-302-0035
Online: broadwaygym.com

Los Angeles School of Gymnastics
Tucked into Culver City, The Los Angeles School of Gymnastics has been training gymnasts of all ages since 1975. Now they are also working to bring the benefits of gymnastics and physicality to kids (and adults) with special needs. The qualities of gymnastics are used as a means for rehabilitation and can be considered part of your little tumbler’s occupational therapy. Plus, the LASG is linked with nearly every major funding organization, so you may be able to receive financial assistance for gymnastics classes.

8450 Higuera St.
Culver City
310-204-1980
Online: lagymnastics.com

My Gym
If you’re a parent in LA, chances are you’ve heard of My Gym, which has locations throughout the city (and the whole country). My Gym offers classes for kids from 6 weeks old and up. Classes include gymnastics, karate and dance. While every My Gym does not offer classes specific to kids on the spectrum, their locations are open to kids no matter their developmental challenges. Those on the spectrum are welcome to join classes and feel their way through it as well as bringing a shadow, if needed. Check their website, find your local gym and ask what classes might be best for your little mover.

Multiple locations across Los Angeles, check the website for details.
Online: mygym.com

photo: LeTania Kirkland Smith

Space to Play

We Rock the Spectrum
The top philosophy at We Rock the Spectrum is, “Finally a place where you never have to say ‘I’m sorry.'” WRTS is an indoor gym and play space that is fully inclusive for all children. The gym was founded by Dina Kimmel, whose son Gabriel is on the spectrum. After years of therapy and apologetically explaining that her son was autistic when out in public, she decided  to open a space to welcome families living with autism and educate those who are not. WRTS is unique in that it is open to all kids whether or not they are on the spectrum. WRTS has locations across the country (and now in Malaysia) and all are equipped with 10 pieces of sensory equipment designed to help kids with sensory processing disorders. But don’t think for a minute that the gym won’t appeal to kids of all abilities and ages. Who doesn’t want to spend time on a zip line or rock on a hammock swing? And parents are encouraged to interact right along with their kids; so go have a good jumping session and everyone will be better for it.

There are multiple locations in Los Angeles; check their website for the location nearest you.
Online: wrtsfranchise.com

photo: LeTania Kirkland Smith

Dream Big Children’s Center
If you’re in the market for an indoor play space, Dream Big Children’s Center in Monrovia fits the bill. This is an inclusive space that welcomes all kids but the center’s creator, Cristina Cordeiro, created the space with autistic kids in mind. Cordeiro has worked with autistic kids for over 15 years and has been the director of a behavioral therapy organization for the last five years. This experience combined with her new found life as a mama pushed her to create a space where all children—no matter their needs—can play together.

The space was meticulously designed with the needs of autistic kids in mind, with multiple themed rooms that designed to soften sound; the overall design of the center is neutral to help kids avoid sensory overload from bright colors and bright lighting. Dream Big’s staff have autism training and the center offers Applied Behavior Analysis therapy both in-home and at the center. A huge plus is that families with multiple kids can bring the whole family for some play time while meeting their child’s special needs. It’s a win-win.

612 S. Myrtle Ave.
Monrovia
626-775-7888
Online: dreambigchildren.com

photo: LeTania Kirkland Smith

Travel Town Museum
As one of the pillars of the Griffith Park experience, Travel Town is a must for any Angeleno, but it also happens to be a superb place for many kids on the spectrum. While nothing is a one-size-fits all scenario, the outdoor space combined with train tables and the experience of climbing into a real engine makes for a positive take-away. This LA classic comes highly recommended from families with kids on the spectrum.

5200 Zoo Dr.
323-662-5874
Online: traveltown.org

photo: The Water Whisperer

Into the Pool: Swimming Lessons

The Water Whisperer
Learning to swim and feel comfortable in the water is both a matter of safety and a boost in confidence for all young people. Emily Cohen, The Water Whisperer, employs a unique technique for teaching kids to swim and provides one on one classes for those with special needs. As an artist, Cohen takes a creative approach and uses toys, songs, games and lots of encouragement to get kids in the water. Cohen also believes in the power of routine—especially for kids with special needs—and adheres to the class routine to provide swimmers with a sense of security. The Water Whisper holds classes in Sherman Oaks and Woodland Hills. When contacting them be sure to provide all info about your little swimmer’s needs.

Online: thewaterwhisperer.com

One With the Water
One With the Water was created by Coach Kenneth Rippetoe. After working in Bolivia, Venezuela and Spain with “sponsor a child” programs to help kids in need receive education, Rippetoe founded One With the Water. Semi-private and private special needs classes are offered in community pools throughout the LA Area. One With the Water is a non-profit and is dedicated to providing scholarships to special needs kids and families who could use financial assistance. The organization also works closely with other therapy organizations to create a lasting community for its participants. Check out their website for more details.

323-364-7946
Online: onewiththewater.org

photo: The Miracle Project

Putting the Hands to Work: Performance and Creation

The Miracle Project
We all know the healing and therapeutic properties of the arts, but The Miracle Project has taken this idea as a mission. This organization has created an inclusive space where individuals with and without autism collaborate to develop and perform original musicals. The Miracle Project uses a methodology that combines theater, film, music, movement and other expressive arts and allows kids with autism to collaborate with others to develop as peers and artists.

Program director and teacher, Ryan Berman says this community helps “bring out the best” in those with autism and allows them to find their voice in a unique way. The Miracle Project offers classes in musical theater, improv, movement and music.  You can also check out the documentary Autism: The Musical, which tells the story of The Miracle Project.

9301 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 507
Beverly Hills
310-829-7034
Online: themiracleproject.org

photo: Purple Twig

Purple Twig
Purple Twig in Eagle Rock is a great place for art exploration for young artists of all abilities. The space offers specialized workshops and art classes as well as an open studio on Saturdays where kids can dig into a large variety of sensory (and recycled!) materials that can be a big plus for some kids on the spectrum. While Purple Twig does not specialize in art classes for kid with autism, it is a welcoming space. Check it out and see if it works for your family.

2038 Colorado Blvd.
Eagle Rock
323-254-8944
Online: purpletwig.com

Rolling Robots
Another spot that comes highly recommended by parents is the building workshop sensation Rolling Robots. RR has multiple locations and offers after school robot building workshops. Though RR does not offer specific special needs classes, it is an inclusive space. From the most basic to more complicated robotics this is a great spot where kids on the spectrum can focus, work with their hands and be a part of a community. RR also offers birthday parties and camps.

Rolling Robots las locations in Glendale, West LA and Palos Verdes.  Check the website for details.
Online: rollingrobots.com

photo: Ride On

Giddy-Up: Horseback Riding

Ride On
Ride On Therapeutic Horsemanship teaches adaptive horseback riding to kids and adults with cognitive and physical disabilities from the age of 6 & up. The organization also uses the art of horseback riding to provide physical, occupational and speech therapy by using the movement of the horse to improve medical conditions as well as equine assisted psychotherapy. (Yes, that’s a mouthful, but it works!) Horseback riding is a unique form of therapy for kids on the spectrum because it is calming and stimulating, which provides a way for kids to physical regulate their bodies. Beyond that, connecting with the horses and other kids in the group allows those who may struggle socially to make connections they may not be able to otherwise. Scholarships are available for those in need.

Locations in Chatsworth and Newbury Park; check the website for details.
Online: rideon.org

photo: The Children’s Ranch Foundation

Children’s Ranch Foundation
The Children’s Ranch in Griffith Park is yet another bit of genius created by a mama inspired to help her child and others like her. Jackie Sloan began horseback riding with her own daughter as a therapeutic approach to living on the spectrum. Sloan was struck by the transformative effect riding and caring for animals had on her family and left her job as a practicing attorney to create the Children’s Ranch Foundation.

Working with animals, says Sloan, has a way of drawing children with special needs into a group setting and making social connections. The Ranch offers, therapeutic horseback riding, Ranch Play and Ranch Hands where kids are introduced to the animals and learn to care for them, as well as sibling and parent workshops. The Children’s Ranch is a deep commitment for families and takes a bit of paperwork to get going, but if your family is looking for a deeper therapeutic process, it’s more than worth the effort.

4007 Verdant St.
Atwater Village
213-447-6456
Online: thechildrensranch.org

Do you have any wonderful organizations or activities that are perfect for kids on the spectrum?  Please share them with our community in the comment section!

—LeTania Kirkland Smith

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