EZZANI INTERVENTIONS INTERNATIONAL
Southern California’s trusted resource center for Autism, IEPs, and international transitions; a place where families from all over the world come to discover how to help their child thrive.
Community Superheroes
Parents tend to have a difficult time finding dentists, doctors, therapy services, and recreational activities that have experience including children and young adults with special needs. However, times are changing for the better. These days our clients and lots of others are sharing and posting information about community services they know and love in Southern California. In this spirit, we have compiled our community superhero page to share this information with others. Because we believe that working together as a team and staying informed, positive, and enthusiastic can help people with exceptional needs achieve goals beyond their wildest dreams.
National Organizations
Autism, Learning and Attention Issues, Friends and Feelings, How to Organize for an IEP, Community and Events. Understood.org has it all plus much more. Find personalized recommendations for you and your child.
Autism Speaks' mission says it all. "Autism Speaks is dedicated to promoting solutions, across the spectrum and throughout the life span, for the needs of individuals with autism and their families through advocacy and support; increasing understanding and acceptance of people with autism spectrum disorder; and advancing research into causes and better interventions for autism spectrum disorder and related conditions." There are also many resources on how to plan for your teenager's transition to adulthood.
Best Buddies® is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to establishing a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment and leadership development for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).
Scouting provides girls and boys with opportunities to develop important life-skills. All boys and girls are invited to join the Boys and Girl Scouts --- including boys and girls with special needs, of every race, religion and socioeconomic background. Click below and find out more about how Girl Scout and Boy Scout Inclusion Specialists and troop leaders can help.
AYSO VIP Soccer
"AYSO is proud to offer a very special program for developmentally disabled children and adults. Our VIP (Very Important Player) program provides a safe, fun environment with trained coaches, VIP Buddies, and volunteers who facilitate an enriching experience that the players and their families will cherish forever."
Special Olympics
"The Special Olympics is a global movement of people creating a new world of inclusion and community, where every single person is accepted and welcomed, regardless of ability or disability. We are helping to make the world a better, healthier and more joyful place -- one athlete, one volunteer, one family member at a time."
Southern California
Pasadena Maple Leafs Special Needs Team
Established in 1964, the Pasadena Maple Leafs are Southern California's oldest youth hockey club. ALL players are encouraged to play, regardless of ability. This team is all about having fun, participating, and meeting new friends. There are coaches on the ice at all times to assist players who need a little extra help, and each and every skater will get the chance to be a part of the game. For more information please email: specialhockey@pasadenahockey.net.
You may also visit Pasadena Maple Leafs online at http://pasadenahockey.net/.
"Autism Spectrum Athletics (ASA) is committed to providing non-competitive seasonal sports programs. These programs are open to all children with Autism, Aspergers, Central Auditory Processing (CAPD), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity (ADHD/ADD) and other related disorders. ASA utilizes traditional sports to develop sports knowledge, physical motor skills, independence and socialization skills."
Your child may not be the only team member with ASD. This organization encourages typical siblings to participate as well.
Menifee Valley Little League Baseball
The Menifee Valley Little League offers Challenger Baseball, where children with exceptional needs can be fully included and have a great time. Their spring 2018 season had 6 full teams!
Southern California Rehabilitation Services, Inc. (SCRS)
SCRS is a private, non-profit, tax-exempt California Corporation established in 1979 for the purpose of providing comprehensive independent living services to persons with disabilities of all ages and with all types of disabilities. The mission of SCRS is to empower persons with disabilities to achieve their personalized goals through community education and individualized services that provide the knowledge, skills, and confidence building to maximize their quality of life.
SCRS provides a wide array of programs and services to persons with disabilities in Southeast Los Angeles County and beyond. Services include: advocacy, peer counseling, summer camps, housing assistance, information and referral, personal assistance services, independent living skills training, systems change advocacy, cross disability peer counseling, assistive technology, advocacy for deinstitutionalization, advocacy for youth, transition advocate, and vocational services.
Pop Warner Challenger Division Football
"Pop Warner’s overall goals are to enable young people to benefit from participation in team sports and activities in a safe and structured environment and by establishing a Challenger Division Pop Warner is providing an opportunity for everyone to participate in the great game of football."
Kick with Nick
Their age frame for players with Autism is from 4 to 20 years old and for Peer Players it is from 8 and up. Kick with Nick is provided for FREE, no costs to players. A ball, uniform and trophy party are all included :) Peer Players and Coaches receive free apparel too!
Therapeutic Horsemanship Equestrian Center, Inc.
"Therapeutic Horsemanship Equestrian Center, Inc., (T.H.E. Center, Inc.) stands dedicated to improving the cognitive, physical and psychological abilities of individuals with disabilities and special needs through our nurturing therapeutic horsemanship program.
T.H.E. Center, Inc. was founded in 1984 by Teresa Wilhelm with one student, two horses and the support of the community. Her vision was to provide physical therapy, exercise and recreation to handicapable children and adults in a professional, safe and nurturing environment. To date, T.H.E. Center has served over 2,000 students and provided in excess of 93,840 hours of services."
5-Eleven Hoops
About - "5-Eleven Hoops is 501(c)(3) non-profit and growing basketball learning/sports-based organization, founded by Stacy McAlister. Stacy is a former professional basketball player who created 5-Eleven Hoops in September 2015 upon his return home from playing basketball overseas with the YTE Bearcats and conducting a basketball clinic with the Special Olympics in Brunei.
5-Eleven Hoops incorporates children from various life walks with the clinics allowing families to participate. This active play initiative was designed to help provide positive outcomes for youth and their families currently dealing with Autism and other special needs. McAlister created this organization in his own backyard and by using his pre-existing training and knowledge. Stacy has assembled a system of drills and basketball plays to build Autistic children's sportsmanship, social skills, coordination, strength & cognitive development. His program was built and inspired from helping his own son learn, grow and develop during the early stages of his Autism diagnosis."
Precision Gymnastics
Precision Gymnastics offers a special needs program for girls & boys ages 5 years- 20 years.
Description:
"PARENT/GUARDIAN PARTICIPATION REQUIRED. Class will emphasize flexibility, gross motor skills, muscular strength and endurance, social skills, and coordination. Class will learn gymnastics on obstacle courses, foam filled pit, trampolines, balance beams, uneven bars, floor exercise, and vault.
$106.00 for 8 weeks, 1 day / week (Mondays 3:15 - 4:00 pm)
Southern California - Dentists
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Los Angeles Children's Hospital - Sensory Adapted Dentistry, Los Angeles
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Dr. Mayes Pediatrics Dentistry, Chino Hills
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Pine Smiles Dentristy, Chino Hills
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Redlands Dental Surgery Center
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My Kid's Dentists, Norco
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Irvine Children's Dentistry, Irvine
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Dr. Richard Kunihira, Upland and Fontana
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Justin A. Shufford - Dentistry Pediatrics Special Needs, San Dimas
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Gray & Ehrler Orthodontics, Upland
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Rady Children's Hospital, San Diego
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Niloufar Molayem, D.D.S., Pasadena
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Dr. Lenny Naftalin - Comfort Dental Anesthesia, Downtown Los Angeles
***List updated April 2019***
Note: You can ask your regional center Service Coordinator for assistance. They can often consult with contracted physicians and dentists.
