Reinforcing school experiences, providing creative, social and recreational activities, and developing social and life skills are the focuses of the Bergen County YJCC’s program for children with special needs. New classes and activities begin in September at the YJCC, 605 Pascack Road, Township of Washington.
A wide variety of opportunities are available, including art, music, movement, cooking, adaptive martial arts, swimming and sports. Private swim lessons and birthday parties for children with special needs may be arranged as well. In addition, the YJCC is home to the Olympic Sharks, a Special Olympics swim team.
Programming for children on the autism spectrum helps enhance socialization, independence and leisure skills, with after-school and Sunday programs available. Several of the options provide an opportunity to interact with typically-developing peers, helping to cultivate an ability to see another person’s perspective and thereby make connections that help develop relationships. The YJCC’s autism-specific programming is directed by Lisa Lawler, who teaches during the school day at a school for children on the autistism spectrum. She has 19 years of experience as a special needs educator and serves as director of the YJCC’s Camp Shalom during the summer.
The YJCC is spacious, wheelchair accessible and barrier-free. Children, teens and young adults with developmental delays and disabilities, physical challenges and neurological impairment, as well as those with multiple disabilities are welcome. For information about the program for children with special needs, as well as information about the many programs for children on the autism spectrum, contact Gina Wellington, YJCC Special Services Director,
201-666-6610, ext. 5810.
