Special Olympics Vermont offers year round sports training and competition opportunities in 13 Olympic-type sports for individuals ages 8+. In 2016, the sports seasons were reorganized into four distinct seasons culminating in four statewide competitions: Winter Games, Summer Games, Fall Games, and Holiday Games.
This is a wonderful opportunity for individuals to participate in sports, make friends, and have fun!
The Special Olympics Young Athletes program is an innovative sports play program for children with and without disabilities ages 2 through 7, designed to provide opportunities for young children to be active, have fun, and learn foundational sports skills. The program supports physical, cognitive and social development — skills important on and off the sports field. It also offers families connections to local Special Olympics Programs. There is no cost for your family for participating. The program offers 1 hour classes that meet for 6-8 weeks throughout the year.
Story Land has teamed up with Autism Speaks to offer a “Sensory Friendly” weekend in September. Many of the staff members at Story Land are getting trained on how to recognize, understand, and act compassionately when assisting families dealing with Autism in the Park. Check out Story Land & Autism Speaks
We recently went to Stowe and had a wonderful experience. From the lodging, activities, skiing, to the incredible staff; this is definitely a place that accommodates children with special needs.
The skiing at Stowe goes above and beyond to accommodate individuals with special needs. Stowe Adaptive is an incredible program that offers lessons and equipment to make sure that every individual can get out on the mountain. And Stowe also offers a “Buddy Pass”! Here is some great information that Donna Barton (Operation Manager) at Stowe offered:
The idea of the Buddy Pass is that if you are unable to meet the minimum Essential Eligibility Criteria, you qualify for our adaptive lesson program or the Buddy program. Check out the EEC requirements on their website.
In addition, here at Stowe…if you do not meet the minimum requirements of the EECs and you apply for a scholarship through Friends of Stowe Adaptive Sports, you may be granted a scholarship to use toward lessons or access. For more information click here
Stowe Rocks is an indoor rock climbing facility that has both auto-belay courses for kids to climb as well as 8 manual belay sections. The staff that is on site to help is incredible. They are patient, friendly, and great at encouraging kids to climb and take chances!
$26.00 for kids 12 and under to climb for 2 hours.
If your child is not up to climbing they can always take the gondola up to the top of Mt. Mansfield.
Definitely a fun place to visit!
Annie Cooper has been teaching children to swim for years. Her enthusiasm, patience, and encouragement helps children enjoy the water. Swim lessons in Shelburne are held in a therapeutic (very warm) pool which can be ideal for children with disabilities. Swim lessons offered in Shelburne and Essex.
Equine Therapy Program is up and running, at Lily Bud Farm in Hinesburg, VT. They currently offer lessons on Wednesday and Sunday mornings for children under 150 lbs.
A scholarship program for students who need financial assistance is available. Qualifying students can take a lesson for $25 instead of $45.
US Youth Soccer TOPSoccer is a 6 week program for kids who have all types of disabilites. During this 1 1/2 hour weekly program, each child is usually paired with a local Vermont high school soccer player. It is a great program that is very well run. It usually begins in the beginning of September.
US Youth Soccer TOPSoccer is a 4 week program for kids who have all types of disabilites. During this 1 1/2 hour weekly program, each child is usually paired with a local Vermont high school soccer player. It is a great program that is very well run. It usually begins in the beginning of September.
Central Vermont TOPSoccer will take place on the Woodstock High School soccer field and is supported by Vermont Soccer Association, Woodstock High School and surrounding communities. This 4 week program begins Sunday 9/10/17.
Located in St. Pete’s Beach, Florida, Tradewinds has been rated a top destination for families. It has specifically been recommended for families who are traveling with a cild who has special needs. As a designated special needs friendly resort by Be Friendlier, our staff undergoes continuous training to ensure we understand sensitivities, developmental disabilities and unique situations so we’re equipped to help. From room safety kits to gluten-free menu options, we take all of your needs into consideration so you can “Just Let Go!” Make sure to check out their wonderful kids program.
“The Horses Touch” which is held at Twitchell Hill Farm in New Haven offers therapeutic horseback riding for people of all ages and disabilities. Susan Guran comes highly recommended for teaching children how to connect and ride horses. They offer individual lessons as well as a wonderful summer camp.
Unified Sports is a program that is run through Special Olympics of Vermont and is offered in several schools throughout Vermont. This is an incredible program that allows children with disabilities to participate in sports through their schools. The programs are offered from elementary school through college level. They focus on bowling, snowshoeing, and bocce during the school year.
United Dance aims to share the love of dance and foster creativity by providing high quality, engaging, and thoughtfully designed programming in a structured, safe environment where individuals with Down syndrome and their families can be unequivocally themselves and experience the joy of dance to the fullest!
Occurs once a year in the Burlington area.
Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports works with children and adults with all types of disabilities. It offers numerous programs (skiing, cycling, tennis, hiking, etc). Their ski programs are run at Bolton, Sugarbush, and Pico. The ski program is amazing!
One parent says, “Thank you to VT Adaptive and the compassionate skiing volunteers for supporting my daughter Sophie in an activity that she truly loves! No longer watching her siblings from the lodge, now all she talks about is going to “top of the mountain”. We can’t wait for the snow to fly in our house!”
Wildflowers is a multi-sensory play space for children. This amazing place offers 6 week classes and open studio for children to explore the four areas of learning: tinkering, sensory play, paint exploration, and dream weaving. The studio is open to children of all ages and allows children to use their creativity in a calm and inviting environment.
This is an amazing program for individuals who have a diagnosis of autism.
1) Children & adults do need a diagnosis of Autism.
2) They can live anywhere! We have folks come from NY!
3) No membership at the Y is required
4) A few different options in terms of age. If they’re over 3 years old we look at the 6 private swim lessons, one-on-one with an instructor
The grant will cover 6 private swim lessons (30 minutes each) OR if they’re under the age of 3 I look at integrating them into our parent/child program with a caregiver from home in the water with them.
They offers six 1/2 hour swim lessons for free if your child has ASD. After six sessions, you can take private lessons for $30.00 per 1/2 hour.