“Ghost Town Alive” connects with children of all ages and abilities, along with other sensory friendly entertainment options. It was high noon in Calico, 10-year-old Lali Cervantes stood in the center of the street, keeping an eye on the villains walking toward her. They were going to try and take over the town, and she […]
Special Needs Organizations
A few of OC’s most unique — and active — programs for children of all abilities. The Segerstrom Center The Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa offers many programs and services geared towards children and adults with special needs. The Segerstrom Hall, which presents everything from Broadway shows to children’s theatrical productions, hosts […]
Special Needs Summer Camps for All Ages
Various summer camps throughout Orange County offer specialized programs for children of all ages with disabilities. Examine any playground and you will see that every child is different in his or her unique way. While one child is hanging from the bars, another is playing in the sand. One is catching grasshoppers, and another is […]
Benefits of Special Needs Camps
Special needs camps place children of all abilities on even ground for play, friendship, and to discover they are not alone. At age six, Kim Kelly paid her first visit to a special needs’ residential camp. It was an experience she and her family will never forget. Up to this point, she had lived a […]
Disneyland Make-A-Wish
No request is too extreme for the Make a Wish Foundation of OC and IE, which celebrates 35 years of wishes granted Disneyland style. Thousands of children have not had to wish upon stars to see their dreams come true thanks to the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Orange County and Inland Empire. The local foundation is […]
Special Olympics Swim Meet
Santa Margarita Catholic High School shared photos with Parenting OC from the school’s eighth annual Special Olympics Swim Meet on Saturday, March 24. Over 70 athletes with special needs from five Orange County swim teams participated in the Special Olympics event at Santa Margarita Catholic High School, making it the largest Special Olympics swim meet […]
Special Needs Family Stories
Four OC families of special-needs children share their struggles, acceptance and happiness. The Jackson Family Teresa Jackson was almost six months pregnant when she was told her unborn baby boy will have Down Syndrome – coincidentally on March 21, 2016, World Down Syndrome Day. When she received the final diagnosis, she searched online for parent […]
News for the Spectrum and Beyond
What’s new in the world of Special Needs? Here are a few of our favorite lesser-known resources helping OC families of those with Autism and ND Disorders. Smile and Say ZZZZZZ’s! Healthy Smiles for Kids of Orange County announced the unveiling of a new general anesthesia wing at their Garden Grove Smile Center. Children who […]
Special Camps for Every Child
Summer is short, but the experiences made and friendships forged during the school break can be everlasting. Children with special needs can get in on the fun, too, thanks to a wealth of programs serving them throughout Orange County. They’ll have a chance to ride the waves, dance the months away, and soak up the […]
2E Kids and Non-Traditional Schooling
Twice Exceptional (2e) students are the kids that are intellectually gifted, but have a learning disability or other challenge that affects their ability to progress effectively in a mainstream school environment. Most 2e students are too gifted for traditional special education classes, or excluded from them because their learning disability is not as apparent. In […]