Family Support Services
The mission of our school is not only to provide educational and therapeutic services for our children, but to further enrich the lives of our students by lending support to their families. The Social Service Department’s role is to help carry out that mission by providing the practical support and compassionate encouragement our parents need to bridge the gap between home and school. With licensed Social Workers at both campuses, The Children’s Therapy Center is able to provide many creative programs to support and nurture our children and their families.
Click Here for more information
Assistive Technology
Our Assistive Technology program consists of state of the art computers with adaptive software and high and low tech communication devices. We also utilize a variety of switches to access these devices. Smartboard technology is now part of our every day at both campuses!
The Assistive Technology team consists of speech, occupational and physical therapists that assess and make recommendations and adaptations to equipment to meet the needs of our children.
Ballet
Ballet class is integrated into the curriculum as the children’s gross motor time for the day and is held once a week. It provides a movement experience for the kids which is enriching in that it combines music, movement, socialization and the opportunity to share in an activity which is enjoyed by their typically developing peers. The movements are therapeutically designed to address joint range of motion, strengthening, weight shifting and trunk strength and mobility. In addition, the children work on their visual attention, ability to focus, ability to imitate or initiate movement and/or ability to calm. Mostly, they are smiling – as are the adults – and having a great time!
Kidz Club
Kidz Club is an after school program for children with disabilities ages 9-15. We offer adaptive, age appropriate activities including dance, creative expression, cooking and photography. Students learn new and exciting skills while building friendships and self-esteem. Together, we create a safe environment and an opportunity for the students to share experiences, thoughts and feelings. Every other week, Kidz Club transforms into Kidz Fitness - a sports, fitness and movement group where a variety of sports and games provide a stimulating social environment to empower students and promote accomplishment. The main goal of Kidz Fitness is to have fun and encourage good sportsmanship and team spirit while learning to work together.
If you are interested in joining Kidz Club, please contact program coordinators, Laura Ianuzzi or Russ Van Ness at 201.797.7440
Sibshops™
Sibshops is a peer support program for siblings of children who have special developmental, physical, and learning needs. We offer separate Sibshops for children 6-8 and 9-13 years old. Sibshops are events where school age sibs can meet their peers; have some fun; talk about the good (and maybe not so good) parts of having a sib with special needs, with others who get it; play some great, goofy games; learn something about their sibs’ special needs; and have some more fun. The Sibshop model mixes information and discussion activities with new games, special guests, and a variety of trips.
Horticulture
At Midland Park, in our new horticulture program (bi-weekly sessions for each class), the children can experience nature through hands-on interactions that stimulate the senses and encourage movement and communication. Topics and activities include exploratory nature walks, planting and cultivating plants, composting and recycling, and nature-inspired crafts such as leaf rubbings. At the same time, the program offers a sensory-rich and tranquil setting in which to continue working on many therapy goal areas: range of motion, balance and endurance, gross and fine motor skills, communication, sensory processing and self help.
Therapeutic Horseback Riding
Held at Pony Power Therapies, students receive equine-assisted activities in a safe, nurturing environment. Riders on horseback can gain more flexibility, balance and muscle strength. On the ground and in a group individuals can explore and develop unique relationships with the horse which can lead to increased confidence, patience, self-esteem and foster feelings of independence and pride.
Special Adaptive Swim Program
Similar to aqua therapy, the adaptive swim program is held at the Ridgewood YWCA and involves performing exercises in the water. It is wonderful for children with various types of developmental or physical disabilities. Swimming can be a great activity, as it offers support to the entire body, and allowing children that may find moving on land painful and awkward the opportunity to move more freely and easily and it's fun!
Sports and Movement
The sports and movement program provides meaningful movement experiences while maintaining a fun and stimulating environment. The goal of the program is to provide children with fun games and activities in a group setting to encourage socialization, teamwork and good sportsmanship. Activities include “typical” recess and after-school type games that are adapted to meet the needs of all children and provide therapeutic benefits.
Yoga
Yoga has become part of our daily curriculum! Research has demonstrated the many benefits of introducing yoga practice to children with developmental challenges. Yoga is utilized at the CTC as an effective tool for improving body awareness, respiratory function and the ability to maintain a calm and attentive state, as well as building muscle tone, increasing flexibility and balance and improving sleep patterns.
Adapted Physical Education
The Adapted Physical Education (APE) Program was developed to provide a stimulating, educational and safe environment for all students while introducing various movements and games to assist in the achievement of individual goals. Students develop confidence in gross and fine motor skills which provides a foundation for participation in a variety of individual and team sports.
