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

Learning Through Dance

Fridays at 5pm beginning September 13, 2019

The Dance Collective Westport
222 Post Road West
Westport

Everyone can dance, and has the right to dance! It uplifts the spirit and warms the heart. Learning Through Dance is an all-inclusive class of school-age students with special needs and behaviors.

The class will be led by Ms. Jeanne who has taught dance to all populations for over 30 years and is currently a paraprofessional in the Fairfield Public School System. Jeanne graduated from the University of Vermont and studied dance at Broadway Dance Center and Steps in NYC. SHe has choreographed for the Southern Vermont Arts Center as well as the Fairfield CHildren's Theater and Roger Ludlow Middle School. Jeanne is certified with the Dance Masters of America through Kent State University. In addition, she is certified with the Dance Teachers University, UNLV. Jeanne's love of dance is shared with all of the children she teaches!

Come join the Squad at The Dance Collective Westport! Call 203-341-8900 for registration information.

MusicWorks!

Westport School of Music
18 Woods Grove Road
Westport, CT

Music is an artistic self-expression requiring little translation. It has been proven to dramatically improve mood, while organizing the brain, coordinating movement, and entertaining the mind. Music is part of the human condition. Our school's music therapy in Westport, CT, is designed to foster positive adaptive function and behavior. This unique treatment combines expert music skills with psychology, physiology, developmental theories of growth and learning, play, speech pathology, and movement to serve all populations, ages, and needs.

MusicWorks! sessions employ a variety of structured and improvised musical activities including singing, instrument playing, rhythm and movement, song-writing, listening, imaging and relaxation techniques, to meet individual needs in a goal-oriented manner. Activities are specifically designed for cognitive, emotional, psychological, physical and social concerns.

For more information about MUSICWORKS! or to register for music therapy sessions, please call the school at (203) 227-4931, or send us an email at notes@wsmusic.org.

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C.A.S.T for Kids - Fishing on the Saugatuck River!

Sunday, June 23, 2019

Saugatuck River (Bolton Lane)

Westport, CT

This event is designed to provide children with special needs, ages, 6- 18 the opportunity to enjoy a quality outdoor recreational experience through the sport of fishing. For more information and to register, click on the following link:
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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.