Summer Programs for Kids with Diverse Abilities Allow Them to Thrive

Summer can be a challenging time for parents of children with special needs. While other families plan vacations and days at the beach, parents of children with special needs are often left scrambling to find care. Fortunately, there are many summer programs specifically designed for children with special needs. These programs provide a safe and supportive environment where children can socialize, learn new skills and have fun.

Summer programs can keep kids engaged and offer respite for parents

Summer programs for children with special needs can provide a much-needed respite for both parents and children. Many of these programs are staffed by trained professionals who are experienced in working with children with various disabilities. These programs provide an opportunity for children to socialize with their peers and build essential friendships during the summer months, preventing them from becoming withdrawn or isolated.

Matthew Mendoza is the Lead Instructor for the Diverse Abilities Swim Program at The Shasta Family YMCA. He has a passion for this program and facilitating access to swimming for all.

Inclusive summer programs in the North State

The North State has a variety of inclusive summer programs available, including ones explicitly geared towards kids with disabilities.

Little Red Hen’s Lifespan Center in Chico has year-round programs that help children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) develop healthy social and community skills. Summer programs here include Feeling Like One Common Kid (F.L.O.C.K) and Not Your Garden Variety Theater (N.Y.G.V.T).

F.L.O.C.K is a two-week socialization therapy program held at Chico State University.  N.Y.G.V.T is a six-week program that teaches kids with ASD skills and communication techniques through role-playing,  performing art, music, theater activities, sensory exploration  and peer collaboration. The program culminates in a production put on by program participants.

The SLATE program through Rowell Family Empowerment aims to improve social-emotional skills in children with ASD in Shasta County. SLATE’s summer program — Get SET (Get Social Emotional Training) — provides an environment for children and young adults to learn and grow alongside neurotypical children. Currently, It is the only inclusive summer program of its kind in the North State area for kids with ASD.

To qualify for the Get SET program, a child must have a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder, be a client of Far Northern Regional Center, and be a resident of Shasta County.  If you are interested in the Get SET program or SLATE, contact Rowell or your child’s caseworker at Far Northern for more information.

Matthew is pictured here with students from The YMCA’s Diverse Abilities Program.

Extended School Year programs for structure and specialized instruction

In California, many school districts offer an Extended School Year (ESY) to students enrolled in Special Day Classes (SDC). SDC classes serve students with moderate to severe disabilities and provide more one‑on‑one attention or specialized instruction opportunities. The ESY programs typically run for three to four weeks to provide structure and reduce learning loss that often happens during the summer.  Ask your child’s teacher or contact your school district office to find out if your district offers this program.

Swimming lessons for children with diverse abilities

Swim Foundations in Shasta County offers at-home individualized instruction in small group settings in the Redding area. There is also a morning swim lesson program for kids with autism and other sensory processing disorders at Riverview Golf & Country Club, taught by Margaret Natina, who has a background in psychology and behavioral intervention.

The Shasta Family YMCA in Redding offers the Diverse Abilities Swim Lessons program throughout the year.  The program is aimed at helping children with both physical and mental disabilities gain confidence in the water and pick up valuable water skills.

Swim instruction for kids with special needs

There are many options for swimming instruction in the North State, and many of them are inclusive to children with special needs. The swim instructors at Sun Oaks in Redding work with many kids with special needs. Swim School Program Director Angie Baker says parents often choose to be in the water with their swimmer while the instructor works with other kids in the class. Sun Oaks also offers private lessons if a parent feels their child needs more individualized instruction.

Feather River Center in Chico serves many of Butte County’s disabled student programs. Executive Director Bradley Cooke says the organization doesn’t offer private instruction; rather, it provides water safety lessons for many special education programs, helping kids get comfortable in the water and grow confidence in their water safety skills. “We work with the professionals and teachers of these programs to make aquatics a key of their offerings,” he says.

Ask about accommodations in summer day camp programs

Although they may not be specifically designed for kids with special needs, many local summer day camp programs welcome children with physical, emotional, developmental, or behavioral disabilities. The ability to accommodate these children often depends on the amount of staff and the accessibility of facilities. If you see a program that may be a good fit for your child, don’t hesitate to contact them and ask about their accommodation process.