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19 Special Needs Programs in NYC for Kids

The Adaptive Climbing Group introduces kids of all ages to the adventure of rock climbing with its unique special needs program. Photo courtesy of the group
The Adaptive Climbing Group introduces kids of all ages to the adventure of rock climbing with its unique special needs program. Photo courtesy of the group
9/26/22 - By Diana Kim

Finding the right special needs program for your child can be a challenge. Whether your child has a developmental challenge, disability, or disorder, it's important to find appropriate special needs programs that can accommodate their unique needs. Luckily, there are several special needs programs in NYC for children of every ability and interest.

We've rounded up 19 special needs programs in New York City. When reaching out to these venues, don't forget to ask about special needs summer camps and holiday mini camps. Many of these special needs programs offer them, too.

You can find more special needs programs for kids, and even book a class online, in our directory of classes and listings. Check our New York City Classes for Kids Guide for more kids’ activities and classes for kids of all ages and interests. Bookmark our Special Needs Guide for more special needs programs in NYC, including sensory gyms, support groups, and sensory activities.

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The Brooklyn Conservatory of Music serves special needs populations with a variety of programming. Photo courtesy of the conservatory
The Brooklyn Conservatory of Music serves special needs populations with a variety of programming. Photo courtesy of the conservatory

Music Special Needs Programs in NYC

Brooklyn Conservatory of Music

Park Slope, Brooklyn
The Brooklyn Conservatory of Music offers a variety of summer camp programs, including piano explorers, winds, brass, percussion, vocal camp, and a jazz camp. Financial aid is available. READ MORE

Daniel's Music Foundation

East Harlem
Operated out of a state-of-the-art studio space in East Harlem, Daniel's Music Foundation provides music classes to individuals with developmental and physical disabilities. Special needs group classes are provided FREE of charge up to five days a week and 30 weeks per year. Children of all abilities can register for a variety of paid classes and one-time special events, in addition to private lessons.  READ MORE

Hug Music

Forest Hills, Queens
Hug Music offers music classes to children of all abilities and focuses on building a love for music in each of its students. Its special needs music programs include a music therapy group skills class, as well as private musical therapy sessions. Trial sessions are available at a discount. READ MORE

Noroff0 Robbins Center for Music Therapy at NYU

Greenwich Village
Nordoff-Robbins music therapy program has a well-known, respected reputation. It offers early-intervention programs from infancy to preschool age, as well as child, adolescent, and adult music therapy. Individual and group sessions are offered and emphasize vocal and instrumental improvisation. READ MORE

Piano Plus

Upper East Side
Piano Plus offers adaptive instrument instruction, guitar, and piano lessons, and music therapy. Classes can be tailored to the needs of infants, children, and adolescents—as well as adults. Piano Plus' innovative, multifaceted, multisensory approach to musical instruction is intended for all abilities. READ MORE

Swimming Special Needs Programs in New York City

SwimJim NYC

Multiple Locations
SwimJim offers swimming lessons and water safety programs for ages 2 months through adult with low student-teacher ratios. Options include parent-child classes, learn-to-swim programs, and advanced skill development. READ MORE
Super Soccer Stars caters to special needs kids with its Shining Stars program. Photo courtesy of Super Soccer Stars
Super Soccer Stars caters to special needs kids with its Shining Stars program. Photo courtesy of Super Soccer Stars

Sports Special Needs Programs in NYC

Super Soccer Stars NYC

Multiple Locations
Super Soccer Stars offers classes citywide that aim to teach soccer skills in a fun, non-competitive, educational environment. The sport is used to build self-confidence and develop teamwork skills. Super Soccer Stars classes start at age 12 months with parent-and-me soccer classes, and its programs carry athletes through childhood and up to age 18. READ MORE

Adaptive Climbing Group

Multiple Locations
The Adaptive Climbing Group provides individuals with disabilities an opportunity to try out the sport of rock climbing. The organization partners with Brooklyn Bouldering Project, Central Rock Gym, and Metro Rock to provide all-ages sessions and kid-centric sessions, inviting children (ages 4-17) with special needs to inclusive rock-climbing clinics.   READ MORE

Play4Autism

Multiple Locations
Play4Autism offers a variety of sports through its Kidz into Action program, primarily in Queens and the Bronx. Prices are affordable. After paying an annual membership fee, many are FREE and come-when-you-wish, so no long-term commitment is required. Siblings are encouraged to participate, fee-free too. Activities are wide-ranging and include sports like bowling, whiffle ball, soccer, football, and more. READ MORE

Worksman Cycle Company

Ozone Park, Queens
Worksman Cycles bike company brings affordable, specially modified kids’ bicycles and tricycles to consumers from its local factory. If it doesn't have what you need in a pre-fabricated specialty bike, it will customize a bike or trike to meet your child's exact needs. READ MORE
Kids tap into their inner inventor and creator at Extreme Kids & Crew. Photo courtesy of Extreme Kids & Crew
Kids tap into their inner inventor and creator at Extreme Kids & Crew. Photo courtesy of Extreme Kids & Crew

Visual and Performing Arts Special Needs Programs

Extreme Kids & Crew - Classes

Multiple Locations
Extreme Kids & Crew offers a community hub for children of all abilities to gather with their friends and families in an inclusive space to socialize, create, and play. Families are welcome to share resources, stories, tears, and laughter. Inclusive programming for all members of the family is offered in addition to open play. Programming is child-focused.  READ MORE

Dancing Dreams

Bayside, Queens and Upper East Side
This innovative program provides dance instruction for individuals ages 3-21 with physical and medical challenges. Teachers are trained pediatric physical therapists, and each child is assigned a trained teenage assistant, who is part of the Dancing Dreams Volunteer Leadership Program, to help them succeed in class. READ MORE

Literature at Play

Midtown East
A program of New York City Children's Theater, this well-known company partners special-needs kids with teaching artists to explore a chosen book and use it as inspiration for a wide-ranging arts curriculum. Kids work together to dance and write songs and plays based on their chosen books. The curriculum helps build self-confidence, motor, and sensory skills, and provides social engagement. READ MORE

Karma Kids Yoga

Multiple Locations
Karma Kids Special Needs Yoga classes are designed to meet the physical and emotional needs of children of all abilities. Deep breathing exercises aim to help calm children's minds and bodies while honing their ability to focus. Relaxation and foot rubs round out the half-hour class, which is limited to eight children. READ MORE
Gallop NYC uses therapeutic horsemanship to build developmental, emotional, social, and physical skills for each rider. Photo courtesy of Gallop NYC
Gallop NYC uses therapeutic horsemanship to build developmental, emotional, social, and physical skills for each rider. Photo courtesy of Gallop NYC

Animal-Assisted Therapeutic Special Needs Programs

Gallop NYC

Forest Hills, Queens
This organization provides therapeutic horseback riding for children with disabilities. Lessons are conducted under the direction of a NARHA-certified riding instructor and with the guidance of an experienced physical therapist. Gallop NYC offers therapy to children with autism, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, traumatic head injury, post-stroke, pervasive developmental disorders, mental retardation, and individuals who have suffered emotional trauma. READ MORE

Special Needs Programs in NYC for Socialization

JCC in Manhattan

Upper West Side
At the JCC, camps and classes allow kids to enjoy yoga, music, science, and cooking lessons while learning about Jewish values. Sports, swim instruction, and plenty of outdoor play are offered at the JCC's rooftop playground and nearby green spaces to round out the fun. A variety of special needs programs are available.  Day Camp @ the JCC focuses on age-appropriate developmental skills, and serves children ages 3-5 years old. READ MORE

Ready Set Play

Tribeca
This organization sponsors playgroups for special-needs children from ages 3-9. A focus is put on fun, while also helping kids with special needs learn to develop appropriate play skills. READ MORE

SNACK: Special Needs Activity Center for Kids

Upper East Side
SNACK offers a variety of after-school and weekend activities open to all children, though its focus is on children with Autism Spectrum Disorders and other similar developmental and behavioral disabilities. SNACK prides itself on a low student-to-staff ratio. Options include swimming, sports, soccer, and Snacktivities, a two-hour socialization class. If you want to try before you commit, SNACK offers a FREE trial class.  READ MORE

YAI

Midtown East
The YAI Network provides various recreational services, after-school, and weekend programs for children of varying disabilities. The YAI Autism Center offers a variety of play and support groups for children with autism and their families. Call YAI at 212-273-6100 for more information. READ MORE

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