Special Needs/Inclusion

As part if its mission to serve the entire community, the Riverdale Y is dedicated to providing quality services for all. A collaboration with the Jewish Board of Family and Children's Services has been established in order to assist in fostering and facilitating a broad range of services and programs to individuals with special needs.

The Riverdale Y and the Jewish Board of Family and Children Services will work collaboratively providing supports to individuals with special needs by:

• Increasing professional preparedness of Y staff

• Promoting relationships that strengthen individuals and families

• Providing opportunities for personal and educational growth

• Increasing knowledge of resources and systems of support services

• Having a fully accessible building

• Adapting services and programs within the Y

For further information about the Y's inclusion policy and the adaptation of services and programs within the Y please contact Caroline Grossman, LMSW at ext. 261 or email CGrossman@RiverdaleY.org

Special Needs Programming
The Riverdale YM-YWHA Special Needs programming is a partnership between the Riverdale Y and the Jewish Board of Family and Children's Services. Programs are designed to provide children and their families with rich and high quality engaging experiences. Our programs provide a high teacher-to-student ratio in a caring and supportive environment. Our hope is to serve the entire family with programs, workshops and ongoing group and individual experiences.

The Y's inclusion policy guides class registration practice whenever possible. We welcome the opportunity for children with special needs to participate in a variety of children's classes listed throughout the program guide.

Although the special needs classes are not labeled for specific need, we do try to group similar abilities together. In order to assure that the classes are comprised of a group of children who will optimally benefit from the program, a brief intake process must take place before registration can occur. If you have a child with special needs and would like to explore these options further with regard to specific classes please contact Caroline Grossman, LMSW at ext. 261 or email CGrossman@RiverdaleY.org

Special Needs/Inclusion Initative After-School
A Special Needs/Inclusion Program with a focus on providing quality support services, information, and referral for families with special needs. Children (K-6) with learning differences, ADD/ADHD and mild autistic spectrum disorders can participate in our After-School program from 2:30 - 6:00 pm with the help of a special education teacher. Each afternoon, children have the option to participate in a variety of recreational and socialization experiences designed to enhance academic and social skills while increasing self-esteem. There is an intake process for each child prior to admission.
These programs are funded, in part, by UJA-Federation and the J.E. & Z.B. Butler Foundation.

Playmates
For ages 4-5
This group will provide an opportunity for children ages four and five to interact and practice using their social skills. Led by a social worker and a certified special educator, the group will teach basic social skills in a fun, structured environment through the use of hands-on activities, games, and songs.
For more information or to set up an intake interview, please call Caroline Grossman, LMSW at ext. 261 or email CGrossman@RiverdaleY.org

Adapted Aquatics
Adapted private and group swim lessons are being offered to children and adults with special needs and physical disabilities. This program is customized for each individual with emotional and developmental disabilities with the goal to help each person develop self confidence and increased independence. Child adapted swim programming offers the following

curriculum:
• Play skills
• Socialization skills
• Basic swim skills
• Water safety
• Sensory Integration
• Movement coordination

Adult adapted swim programming offers the following curriculum:
• Movement coordination
• Gross motor skills
• Social interaction
• Endurance and strength development
• Swim stroke techniques 

For more information about adapted aquatics, please contact Paul Taylor ptaylor@riverdaley.org
at extension 239.

Super Soccer Stars Special Needs
Is a unique program created exclusively for children with developmental disabilities, including but not exclusive to ADD, Autism Spectrum Disorders, and mental retardation. With a maximum of two children per coach, the program helps incorporate into children's lives the much needed notions of structure and task completion through entertaining and engaging soccer activities. Our unique age-specific, special needs curricula is designed by a combination of early childhood, behavioral, ABA, and soccer specialists to ensure that each child is learning, building self-confidence, enhancing social skills, and having a blast from the first moment on.

12 Sundays, 4:30-5:30 pm
Spring Semester begins 1/4
Pro-rated registration available after 1/4
Fee: $45/child/class or $540 for the entire session

Registration takes place through Super Soccer Stars. For more information, please contact Sarah Natchez at 212 • 877 • 7171 or SpecialNeeds@supersoccerstars.com

Program Contacts

Community Programs