Special Needs Resource Fair

Here’s a list of some of the organizations present at the recent Special Needs Resource Fair

Autism Behavior Services - Autism Behavior Services, Inc. serves children of all ages. Our services are provided year round with the exception of major holidays. Our behavior specialists and behavior intervention staff are guided by a curriculum based on the principles of ABA. We provide services that are delivered one to one in your child’s home, community, or school setting and social group services. Our autism behavior specialists develop age-appropriate goals that introduce and strengthen adaptive, cognitive, social-emotional, and behavioral skills; while our behavior intervention staff implements those goals day to day. Our objective is to increase behavioral deficits and decrease behavioral excesses.

AYSO - VIP is a special program is for players facing special mental and/or physical challenges. The program has special rule allowances so more children can enjoy the benefits of AYSO soccer. VIP teams may include children who are blind, amputees, mentally challenged, autistic, and children with Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, or other conditions that impair mobility, strength, and/or comprehension.

Down’s Syndrome Association - DSAOC’s Mission is to create a place for connection, information and hope for people with Down syndrome and their families throughout greater Orange County, to promote Down syndrome awareness through community outreach, and to offer programs, services and support that aim to empower individuals with Down syndrome to reach their full potential. Our Vision is to be a one-stop-shop for all things Down syndrome related, and to be a model organization for community collaboration and Down syndrome awareness, to change perceptions andchange lives.

Regional Center of Orange County - Regional Center of Orange County (RCOC) is one of 21 private, nonprofit organizations contracted by the State of California to coordinate lifelong services and supports for individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. The regional center is the first stop for those seeking to obtain local services and supports to help them live safely and with dignity in the community. Currently, RCOC serves over 19,000 Orange County residents with developmental disabilities and their families. Developmental disabilities include autism, epilepsy, cerebral palsy, and intellectual cognitive disabilities

Swim Labs - Special Needs program was specifically designed to allow us to use our small, warm water pools and our advanced technology to help children and adults the with special needs gain a love of the water, enjoy the sport of swimming and be encouraged and build confidence in a safe and friendly setting.

US Too Center - Us Too Gymnastics provides individualized programming and instruction for children and teens with special needs using the physical and mental developmental benefits of gymnastics. Physical and behavioral goals are the basis for structured level progression supporting participation in mainstream programs.

State Council on Developmental Disabilities - The State Council on Developmental Disabilities (SCDD) is established by state and federal law as an independent state agency to ensure that people with developmental disabilities and their families receive the services and supports they need. Consumers know best what supports and services they need to live independently and to actively participate in their communities. Through advocacy, capacity building and systemic change, SCDD works to achieve a consumer and family-based system of individualized services, supports, and other assistance.

YMCA - New Horizons is a program for adults with developmental disabilities and special needs ages 18 and up. The New Horizons programs provide safe and supervised recreational outings in the community that offer social interaction, skill building, and life-long friendships. While participants are having fun, their full-time caregivers are provided with the “time-off” they need to better care for their loved ones.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dr. Jim Gardner is on the City Council for Lake Forest. You can check him out on LinkedIn and/or Facebook and you can share your thoughts about the City at Lake Forest Town Square on Facebook. His comments are not meant to reflect official City Policy.

Dr. Gardner has office hours every Tuesday from 4 pm to 6 pm at the City Hall. In addition, he holds a Town Hall meeting every quarter. The next meeting will be on August 13 at 2 pm at the Foothill Ranch Public Library.

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