Our Mission is to prepare all students to reach their full potential as life-long learners and socially responsible contributors to our global community.

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SpEd Child and Family Events

Expression Through Art

  • For middle school aged kids with special needs, Grades 6-8 - Wednesday, April 24, 2019, 4pm to 5pm - TODAY!
  • For high school aged kids with special needs, Grades 9-12 - Wednesday, May 1, 2019, 4pm to 5pm

56 Church Street

Westport, CT (behind Aux Delices - look for the TVB sign on the back door)


This is an art class that offers everyone, regardless of ability or experience, a safe place to express themselves within the use of art. The class will be conducted by art therapist Jessica Ortega. Jessica is a creative, artist, and art therapist who enjoys sharing the creative process with others.

Spaces are limited. Kindly RSVP to Michelle at michellevitulich@gmail.com.

SPONSORED BY: THE DREW FRIEDMAN COMMUNITY ARTS CENTER, INC.

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SkyZone Norwalk - Sensory Hour Special Event for World Autism Awareness Day
360 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Drive
Norwalk, CT

In light of World Autism Awareness Day this April, Sky Zone Norwalk will be holding the following special Sensory Hour session:
  • April 28 (Sunday) : 9:00 am to 10:00 am
Cost for a session : $12/jumper ($8 sibling discount)

Age Restriction: if they can walk, they can jump :)

ABOUT THE PROGRAM: Sensory Hour is a special jump and play time exclusively for those with sensory and special needs. It's a safe, quieter, and toned down environment to ensure jumpers are at ease and can have fun at the same time.

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Westport Library - Special Browsing Hour

First Saturday of each month at 8am


Westport Library

20 Jessup Road

Westport, CT

Join us for a special browsing hour for individuals on the autism spectrum and their families, or for any families or individuals who will benefit from a more sensory-friendly environment. On the first Saturday of each month, the library will open an hour early and will feature a quieter, calmer space and a "stress free zone" for parents to let their children be themselves. Items checked out during this time will not be due until the following first Saturday. Families can explore the library, play with toys, check out books, and more! This monthly event will also include a Sensory-Friendly Storytime for children ages 2-3 and their families.

We invite you to join us for our very first Sensory-Friendly Browsing Hour this Saturday, January 5th at 8am. To make this a truly calm and quiet experience, we are only advertising this through word-of-mouth and not through our general website. Please spread the word to any families who might be interested!

Email Jaina Shaw at jshaw@westportlibrary.org with any questions.

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The Adaptive Edge Program at GCA of CT
Ages: 4-18
Date/time: Sundays for the next session beginning 5/5/19 through 7/7/19; 12:00pm to 1:00pm
Program Cost: $300 for the 10-week session

GCA (Gymnastics Cheer Academy)
Located in the Sportsplex in Fairfield
85 Mill Plain Road, Suite S
Fairfield, CT

The Adaptive Edge Program was developed for children and adolescents with intellectual and physical disabilities to promote self-control, increase self-esteem and physical activity through Gymnastics, Parkour and Dance. We encourage parents and siblings to participate and make your child's experience the best it can be.

Benefits of participating in the Active Edge Program include:
  • Improved social skills by following 1 and 2-step directions and interacting with coaches and peers.
  • Improved motor skills and self-confidence by overcoming physical and mental obstacles one step at a time.
  • Provides recreational therapy - therapy based on participation in recreational programs, especially to enhance the functioning, independence and well-being of individuals with disabilities.
The class is run by Brendan Bogan. Coach Brendan is a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist. He got his BS in Therapeutic Recreation from Southern Connecticut State University. Prior to enrollment in the Adaptive Edge Program, we ask that you meet with Coach Brendan for an intake meeting to introduce your child to Coach Brendan and tour our 7 programming spaces. During this meeting, we will identify the goals of participation for your child during the session and discuss ways that our staff can make your child's experiences at the Adaptive Edge Program fun and beneficial.

To register for the Adaptive Edge Program, please contact GCA at 203-610-8200.
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COMPASS FOR FAMILIES: Social Skills Play groups and Study Skills coaching for kids of all ages, now in Westport!

Social Skills Playgroups

Does your child have a tough time socially? A Social Skills Playgroup can help! A Social Skills Group provides a safe and supportive environment in which children can acquire and practice a variety of strategies to help them feel more comfortable, and become more successful socially. Group work is personalized to address specific needs at home and at school. Some of the skills developed in groups include the following:

  • Developing and maintaining friendships;
  • Flexibility;
  • Reading social cues;
  • Joining and playing games;
  • Initiating and participating in conversations;
  • Self regulation;
  • Bullying and responses to bullies;
  • Anger Management Strategies;
  • Self- advocating at school.
Groups are formed based on age, temperament, language abilities and social functioning.


Study Skills Counseling

Does your child struggle with organization? Do they lack the materials they need or even fail to hand in completed work? Study skills counseling can help develop their executive functioning skills including the following:
  • Prioritizing tasks and time;
  • Managing papers and materials;
  • Managing long terms projects;
  • Breaking projects into manageable parts;
  • Use the language of time, sense the sweep of time and identify time robbers;
  • Self talk and self monitor during a task;
  • Become a future thinker: what will it look like when it’s done?
  • How to plan your work so you can then work your plan!

For more information about social skills groups and study skills counseling please contact Lorenza Arnal at compassforfamilies@gmail.com or 415-952-7186.