A Guide to Special Needs Classes and Opportunities on the North Shore

I have a dear friend who is a mom of a special needs child, and I know all too well the challenges special needs families face on a daily basis. Walking into to a public place they think, is my son/daughter going to have a epic meltdown, will he/she be too afraid to play with other kids, will he/she feel lonely when other kids say they don't want to play with him, will it be too loud, too bright, too crowded, and the list goes on and on. It's all so heartbreaking but mama and daddy, I see you. You are NOT alone.

Since this is a topic so near and dear to my heart, I wanted to do a little something special for all the parents out there wondering where it is a "safe" place for your child. Between school struggles, therapies, and the challenges of "play dates," it can be hard to imagine your child with special needs taking part in after-school activities. The reality, though, is that the right after-school programs may provide terrific opportunities for your child to show their strengths, build confidence, make friends, and discover new interests. After speaking with parents of special needs children in our community, I realized that the programs they wanted and needed were not easy to find. I then set out on a mission to gather information on events and activities in and around our area for special needs children and their families. Here is what I have found thus far. The following is a list of local places, close and short distances to take our kids places that have sensory friendly days and timings.

Do you own or operate a special needs friendly facility and would like to be listed in this guide? Email me at cheryllachendro@macaronikid.com

🌟 North Shore YMCA

7 Gloucester Crossing Rd.
Gloucester, MA 01930
(978) 283-0470

254 Essex St
Beverly, MA 01915
(978) 927-6855

110 County Rd
Ipswich, MA 01938
(978) 356-9622

40 Leggs Hill Rd.
Marblehead, MA 01945
(781) 631-9622

1 Sewall Street
Salem, MA 01970
(978) 744-0351

🌟 Pathways for Children

29 Emerson Ave • Gloucester, MA 01930 • 978.281.2400

292 Cabot Street • Beverly, MA 01915 • 978.236.4101

79 Willson St • Salem, MA 01970 • 978.515.5400

🌟 North Shore Dance Academy- Special Needs Class