Eastern US

Since New Yorkers are always on the go, eating out at a restaurant isn't saved for a special occasion, it's a way of life. And because NYC is home to so many families, it's no surprise that there are a multitude of eateries that not only accommodate kids, they actually cater to them. There are restaurants with family entertainment, eateries where kids can play, family-friendly places to eat near big attractions like Times Square and the American Museum of Natural History, plus lots of local neighborhood favorites with eclectic menus that go way beyond the usual straight-out-of-the-freezer chicken nuggets and fries. Our NYC Family-Friendly Restaurant Guide has picks in popular areas like Harlem, Forest Hills, Park Slope and beyond, so you don't need to go home to get a good meal.

For this edition of my series of special needs posts, I'm taking a look at sports programs for children with special needs. As the mother of a son with autism, I am consistently amazed by the ingenuity of parents, teachers, therapists and sports enthusiasts who manage to adapt traditional athletic activities to accommodate kids like him.

I've seen firsthand how hard it can be for kids with special needs to engage in sports. For my 10-year-old son Jake, sports present unique challenges. Like many kids on the autism spectrum, he requires one-on-one support to remain on task and to manage frustration. The programs below are some of our favorites, and I've added a few we're looking forward to trying. While some of the organizations offer drop-in or one-off sessions, keep in mind that advance registration is often required.