Special Needs Resources
Below we've compiled a variety of resources we've found to be helpful to our families over the years. We hope these serve you well over the course of your parenting journey. If you have any questions or suggestions for additional resources that have helped your family, please email us.
ALAMANCE COUNTY:
- Alamance County Schools Exceptional Children's Department: Providing special education programs and other services for children ages 3 and up.
- Alamance Partnership for Children: A wealth of services for families, including parent education, access to health and developmental screenings, childcare assistance, and much more.
- Lifespan Circle School: Lifespan is an inclusive program supporting children with developmental delays and typically developing children from six weeks of age until they start kindergarten.
- The ARC of Alamance County: Advocacy organization for persons with developmental disabilities.
- Chapel Hill TEACCH Center: Diagnostic and therapeutic services for persons with autism spectrum disorder. Also offers training and education for parents, teachers, and other service providers.
- Children's Developmental Services Agency (CDSA)- Local office for the state Infant-Toddler program, providing early intervention and service coordination for children from birth-3 years. Call 336.449.4055 for more information.
- National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), Alamance County Chapter: Information, advocacy, and support groups for people with mental illness and those who care for them.
CASWELL COUNTY:
- Children's Developmental Services Agency: Provides evaluation and assessment, as well as Service Coordination for qualifying children aged birth - 3. Caswell County is served through the Greensboro Branch office. For more information, call 335.334.5601.
- Caswell County Schools Exceptional Children's Department: Providing special education programs and other services for children ages 3 and up.
- Caswell County Partnership for Children: Offers a variety of services for children birth through age eighteen and families, including childcare resource and referral, youth programs, parenting programs and much more.
- Caswell County Health Department: Serving the community through Child Service Coordination; health services to women & children, WIC program; maternity & postpartum care services; and more.
- Governor Morehead Preschool: Providing early intervention services to children with visual impairments from birth-5 throughout central North Carolina, Greensboro office. More more information, call 336.334.5748.
GUILFORD COUNTY:
- ARC of Greensboro: We believe that people with intellectual and developmental disabilities are entitled to the rights afforded every American and that they demand to be included and participate as full members of the community. Here at the ARC, we believe everybody deserves a choice and a voice! We believe in and support the concept of People First. The ARC believes that all people with intellectual and developmental disabilities are defined by their own strengths, abilities and inherent value, not by their disabilities. The ARC provides many programs such as Challenger Sports, ArcBarks, employment options, and art classes.
- Autism Society of NC: The Autism Society of North Carolina provides support and promotes opportunities that enhance the lives of individuals within the autism spectrum and their families.
- Allegro Music Therapy: Allegro provides individual and group music therapy, and education in a variety of settings. We serve typical children, teens and adults of all ages, as well as those with special needs. This includes individuals with learning differences, physical and developmental disabilities, those with diagnoses along the autism spectrum, Alzheimer's disease and other aging-related conditions, traumatic brain injury, acute and chronic pain and medical patients.
- Buddy Break: This resource provides 3 FREE hours of respite for parents of children with special needs. Held at West Market Street United Methodist Church on the 3rd Saturday of each month from 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Siblings are welcome as well. If your child would like to attend Buddy Break, make sure you call to reserve a spot. Please email buddybreak@wmsumc.org for more information.
- Children's Developmental Services Agency (CDSA)- Greensboro: Our area Early Intervention office, offering diagnostic evaluations, access to therapy services, and service coordination for children from birth to age 3. Parents, physicians, and other service providers may make referrals to the CDSA to arrange for screenings and consultations. For more information, please email lisa@fsncc.org.
- Greensboro Cerebral Palsy Association: Shares information for parents and caregivers of children with CP, including information on treatment options, causes, and symptoms.
- Gateway Education Center: The Mission of Gateway Education Center is to be a model program for the education and care of children, 3-22 years of age, with severe cognitive, physical, and/or medical disabilities. Education and care include developing and maintaining, with dignity, humanity, and purpose, each student and his/her family's potential in the areas of health, social/emotional, behavioral, vocational, daily living, and academics.
- Guilford County Schools Exceptional Children & Psychological Services Office: Providing diagnostic assessments, case management, and school placement assistance for children ages 3 and up.
- Guilford Parent Academy: Provides free information and training on a variety of topics for parents, grandparents and family members caring for children and young people in Guilford County.
- Greensboro Parks & Rec: The Greensboro Parks and Recreation Department exists to provide professional and diverse leisure opportunities through inclusive programs, facilities, parks, and open space, ensuring that Greensboro is a desirable place to work, live and play.
- Greensboro United TOPSoccer: TOPSoccer (The Outreach Program for Soccer) is a community-based soccer program for young athletes with disabilities, organized by community volunteers. This outreach program was started with the help of the Family Support Network and the Down Syndrome Network, and is a program of GUSA. TOPSoccer is open to any child, age three* or older, regardless of diagnosis or ability. Our players include children with autism, Down syndrome, intellectual and motor challenges, Cerebral Palsy, and other disabilities.
- UNCG Beyond Academics: The University of North Carolina at Greensboro supports students with intellectual and developmental disabilities through a Comprehensive Transition Program while enrolled in Integrative Community Studies, a four-year certificate program of study that emphasizes higher education, self-determination, community inclusion, career development, and independent living. Students completing requirements for graduation receive a certificate in Integrative Community Studies, awarded by The Office of the Provost at UNCG. Beyond Academics is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit partner of the university that provides support and services for enrolled students.
- Haynes Inman Education Center: Haynes-Inman Education Center is a Guilford County public separate school located in Jamestown, North Carolina that serves approximately 130 students ranging in age from preschool to age 22 with severe to profound cognitive and/or physical disabilities. Our facility also has one preschool inclusion class that educates special needs students as well as regular education students.
- Horsepower: Horsepower Therapeutic Learning Center is a non-profit organization serving the North Carolina Piedmont Triad community since 1995. We are a Premier PATH International Center that provides therapeutic horseback riding and equine-assisted therapy to over 300 individuals with disabilities, as well as able-bodied students, each year.
- NC Division of Services for Deaf or Hard of Hearing: The Department of Health and Human Services manages the delivery of health- and human-related services for all North Carolinians, especially our most vulnerable citizens – children, elderly, disabled and low-income families. The Department works closely with health care professionals, community leaders and advocacy groups; local, state and federal entities; and many other stakeholders to make this happen.
- Rethinking Guardianship: Are you considering guardianship option for your child(ren)? Head on over to the Rethinking Guardianship website for FAQ, a 'know your options' brochure, and more!
- Sandhills Center: Sandhills Center is a Local Management Entity-Managed Care Organization (LME-MCO) serving people in nine counties in central North Carolina. We have a robust network of providers who offer treatment and support for mental health, substance abuse, and intellectual and developmental disabilities. It is the goal of Sandhills Center to make treatment options available to those who need them, to enrich and support our Provider Network, and to contribute to the overall well-being of the communities we serve.
RANDOLPH COUNTY:
- Children's Developmental Services Agency: Providing evaluation, service coordination, and access to therapy services for children from birth-3. Support in transitioning to Preschool special education services at their third birthday. Referrals may be submitted by parents, physicians, teachers, or other caregivers. For more information, call 336.625.1076.
- Asheboro City Schools' Exceptional Children Services: Educational placement and coordination of therapy services for children with special needs in Preschool through grade 12. For more information, please call 336.625.5104.
- Asheboro City Schools Early Childhood Development Center (ECDC): Inclusive early childhood education center for eligible children, ages 3 and 4, with and without special needs. For more information, please call 336.676.6636.
- Randolph County Partnership for Children: Smart Start-funded organization offering a variety of services for children and families, including enhancement of early childhood education services; family support; children's health services; programs to support school readiness; and much more. For more information, please call 336.229.2128.
ROCKINGHAM COUNTY:
- Children's Developmental Services Agency: Providing evaluation, service coordination, and access to therapy services for children from birth-3. Support in transitioning to Preschool Special Education Services on their third birthday. Referrals may be submitted by parents, physicians, teachers, or other caregivers. For more information, please call 336.334.5601.
- Rockingham County Schools Special Education Services: Serving children with disabilities aged 3-21 with educational and therapeutic services. The page includes links to Preschool Special Education services, local resource lists, administrative contacts, and much more. For more information, please call 336.627.2711.
- Annie Penn Hospital Outpatient Therapy Services: Speech/language, physical, and occupational therapy services for children and adults. Specialized services in sensory integration assessment and therapy also available. Medicaid and private insurance accepted. For more information, please call 336.951.4557.
- Golden Earth Therapies: Occupational therapy services and /or Aquatic Therapy Services for children birth - 21 with physical or developmental disabilities, including autism, feeding issues, sensory integration. Year-round indoor pool. Private insurance and Medicaid accepted. Kathy Fritsche, O.T. Phone: 336.939.3312.
- Governor Morehead Preschool for Children with Visual Impairment: Providing developmentally appropriate educational settings for eligible children aged birth to 5, with or without special needs. Also offering a variety of enrichment programs for families and communities. For more information, please call 336.349.4762.
- Head Start of Rockingham County: Serving children birth-5 who have visual impairments. Services, administered in homes and/or schools, include support of functional vision, introduction to Braille, and parent education. For more information, please call 336.334.3748.
- Morehead Memorial Hospital Physical Rehabilitation: Offering speech & language, physical, and occupational evaluation and therapy services for all ages. Most private insurance plans, Medicaid, and Medicare accepted; health finance available. For more information, please call 336.627.6199.
- NC Early Intervention for Children who are Dear or Hard of Hearing: Community-based early intervention services for children who are deaf or hard of hearing and their families, focusing on communication needs. For more information, please call 336.824.1890.
- Rockingham County Department of Public Health: Medical and dental health services, child service coordination, health & nutrition education, and many other services for eligible families. For more information, please call 336.342.8161.
- Rockingham County Department of Social Services: A broad range of services for families, including Medicaid and food stamp enrollment, Work First, child support enforcement, case management, and much more. For more information, please call 336.342.1394.
- Rockingham County Partnership for Children: Smart Start agency offering a variety of services for children and families. Including the following: Parents as Teachers, support groups, parent education, resource & referral, and an extensive Teen Parent program. For more information, please call 336.623.6002.
- Childcare Resource and Referral: Assisting families in finding quality childcare, and providers in enhancing their early childhood programs.
- More at Four: Providing quality, developmentally-appropriate early education for qualifying four-year-olds. Visit the website or call for additional information on these services and many more. For more information, please call 336.342.9676.
- Rolling Ridge Riding: Therapeutic horseback riding, supervised by licensed physical therapists, for a person with disabilities aged 3 and up. For more information, please call 336.349.4702.