Special Needs

The YMCA of Greenville has multiple programs and opportunities for children and families with special needs to enjoy. These include Camp Greenville, iCan Bike, RECESS and swim lessons.

Camp Greenville  

Camp Greenville, operated by the YMCA of Greenville for 110 years, offers family camp weekends for families with members who have Down syndrome and Autism. Spectrum & Stargazer Family Camp offers a spring and a fall weekend in a fun and safe environment to have amazing family fun. Enjoy the beauty and adventure of camp with others who understand how amazingly unique and talented we all are in our different ways. 

Spring Spectrum & Stargazer Family Camp is May 6-8, 2022.
Fall Spectrum & Stargazer Family Camp is September 16-18, 2022.
Registration for both weekends is currently open. 

iCanBike 

A vast majority of people with disabilities have never had the experience of independently riding a conventional two-wheel bicycle. Research shows that over 80% of people with Autism and 90% of people with Down syndrome never experience this.  YMCA of Greenville collaborates with iCan Shine to defy these odds by running a 5-day camp called iCan Bike, which teaches individuals with disabilities how to ride a conventional, two-wheel bike. 

Camp host: Eastside Family YMCA
Camp dates: July 25, 2022 – July 29, 2022
Camp location: Taylors First Baptist Church 200 West Main Street Taylors, SC

RECESS

RECESS (Recreation, Education, Community, Exercise, Social and Service) is a signature program of The YMCA of Greenville for post-high school adults with diverse abilities. During programming, participants learn about nutrition, fitness, social responsibility, community outreach, and independent living skills. RECESS allows adults with diverse abilities not only a place to continue to learn new skills, but also gives them a place to connect with friends and gain a sense of belonging.

Swim Lessons

The YMCA of Greenville offers their own swim curriculum for those with diverse abilities. The Caine Halter Family branch and Prisma Health Family branch offer private lessons in addition to a monthly swim with YMCA RECESS participants. Contact your branch to set up an introductory session!

We provide ST, OT, PT and ABA services for children and adolescents from 18 months to 21 years of age who have a wide variety of developmental delay(s) and established risk conditions/diagnoses. We offer a clinic-based approach with access to outdoor play areas in Greenville with ST, OT, PT and ABA under one roof.

We also offer ABA and OT services in homes, child care, and school settings in counties surrounding Greenville. We work collaboratively with families and caregivers, early interventionists, case managers, psychologists, physicians, allied health professionals, teachers, administrators and other community service providers.

Please see our website for more information and we welcome phone calls and email inquiries in both English and Spanish.

ABLE Kids offers a full-day immersive program for children between the ages of 2 -6 who are diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder level 2 -3 and who require 35 or more hours of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) services. In addition to ABA therapies, ABLE Kids also provides occupational and speech therapies.

Camperdown Academy is a special education school located in Greenville that offers education and support for students with dyslexia and language-based learning differences in grades 1-8.

Offers early intervention, case management, and speech therapy services to individuals with disabilities and special needs in the Upstate.

Happy Hooves Therapeutic Equestrian Center is located at Eden Farms. They offer horse-centered programs for special needs children and adults. Programs include riding and caring for horses while developing physical, social, and emotional skills.

Offers: 1st-8th grade

Curriculum: Multi-sensory curriculum that works with children with Dyslexia/SLD.

Home to a fully accessible playground, this park is located in Boiling Springs.

This park includes:

• Baseball/Softball Field
• Bicycle Motocross (BMX)
• Outdoor Fitness Equipment
• Parking
• Picnic Shelter
• Playground
• Restrooms
• Swings
• Trails

An educational academy offered through Project HOPE Foundation, the school offers education for children on the autism spectrum, preschool through high school. ABA therapy services are provided, with classes Monday through Friday.

Child Find is an intervention program for school-aged children needing intervention for developmental delays and special needs. Evaluations and services are provided through Greenville County Schools and individual districts within the Spartanburg County School system.

Dance Without Limits serves dance students ages 18 months and up, including adults and students with disabilities. The staff has extensive experience with students of all abilities. They offer a class specifically for students with different abilities called Limitless Friends. Dance Without Limits is also an inclusive dance studio, encouraging dancers of all abilities to participate in any of their dance classes.

Through the RiteCare Scottish Rite Childhood Language Program, the John I. Smith Scottish Rite Center in Greenville offers free speech therapy to children up to age 6 who have speech and language delays. Children will be evaluated to determine if services are needed and placed on a waiting list if there is no room available.

Through Evely’s Eyes is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting families with children facing rare medical conditions. Their mission is to provide comfort, guidance, and practical assistance to these families as they navigate their unique journeys.

The ImmUnity Play Circle program offers safe and inclusive playdates for families with immune-compromised children.

Chuck E. Cheese opens two hours early on the first Sunday of the month for Sensory Sensitive Sundays. During these events, lighting and noise will be reduced, while the usual food and games are available.

NCG Cinema offers sensory-friendly movie viewings. They have a new movie screened each month. These movie viewings do not include previews, sounds are not as loud, and lights are not as dim.

Upstate Carolina Adaptive Golf offers adaptive golf therapy for individuals with special needs.

Offers pediatric services including occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech therapy, feeding therapy, and aquatic therapy. Pediatrics Unlimited has locations in Greenville and Spartanburg.

A Spartanburg organization working to make a difference in the lives of those with special needs, from newborns to seniors. Offers an early intervention program called Can Do Kids as well as day programs, work programs, employment services, and living options.

Help Me Grow is a free resource for parents with children age 5 and under. They provide free developmental assessments and then help connecting families with the necessary resources, therapy and information.

Located in the University of South Carolina School of Medicine Library, families can borrow materials covering a variety of disability-related topics. Materials are available to any resident of the United States, with lending in-person or via mail.

The state agency that oversees and funds services for those with disabilities and special needs.

The Meyer Center offers and an early education program for preschool children with developmental delays and disabilities. The program includes occupational therapy, speech therapy, physical therapy, and music therapy, as well as academic and developmental programming. Admission requires evaluation by an admission team to determine if the child qualifies for these services

A website with a wealth of resources for parents and teachers of children with learning disabilities, disorders, and differences. The website offers resources for learning disabilities and ADHD.

Specializing in neurodevelopmental disorders, Trailside Counseling is both a Certified Autism Spectrum Disorder Clinical Specialist and a member of the South Carolina Autism Society Board of Directors. They specialize in working with clients diagnosed with  Autism Spectrum Disorder, Anxiety Disorders, Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder, and Depression.

A resource for families who have children with autism spectrum disorder working to improve their lives.

Offering early intervention case management and special instruction for families who qualify. PlayWorks provides a developmental team for children in need of early intervention services.

Empowering families of children with special needs through hands-on coaching from behavior guidance, skill acquisition to potty training, Personalized support, creative strategies, including family and respite coaching.

BlueSprig Autism provides applied behavior analysis (ABA), behavioral services and autism therapy.

The Bon Secours Wellness Arena has an enclosed Sensory Suite that blocks out the noise of a typical arena show that might cause difficulty for sensitive individuals. The suite has soft seating, low lights, and a quiet space with sensory accessories.  Tickets can be purchased in the sensory suite for selected shows. This is located in section 105.

Additionally, the arena offers a Sensory Kit that is free and available at all arena events. The kit includes noise-reducing earmuffs, antiglare glasses, a sensory fidgit toy, sanitizing wipes, and more.

A to Z Speech Therapy welcomes children, teens, and adults that need help with communication.  Their team has experts for articulation, language development, stuttering, social skill development, and more. A to Z has extensive experience working with children with Autism and Down syndrome. Therapy is offered in English or Spanish.

Offers year-round academic and therapeutic services to neurodivergent middle school students in Upstate, South Carolina.
Students will participate in activities in an outdoor farm setting.
Currently offering enrollment for 5th – 8th grade, with a plan for high school services in the coming years.

Whispering Pines offers classes for small ruminant care. They also use their sheep for therapy for children with special needs.

Organized baseball designed for children with mental and physical challenges. A specially equipped field called “Miracle Park” is utilized to maximize the experience for those involved, including wheelchair accommodations and walking assistance devices.

We are a private practice providing speech therapy services, developmental/autism evaluations, and testing for ADHD, dyslexia, and other learning disabilities.

Providing support and advocacy for families in the Carolinas to meet the needs of individuals with autism and their families

Offers swimmings lessons and classes for athletes diagnosed with developmental challenges, including Downs Syndrome and individuals on the Autism spectrum.

SC 2-1-1 is a South Carolina resource database to help individuals find assistance. Available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year by calling 2-1-1.

Offers pediatric therapy services including physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech-language therapy.

Project HOPE Foundation offers ABA therapy and autism-specific classrooms. It also offers training and ancillary services for clients. Campuses can be located in Anderson, Greenville, Spartanburg, and Greenwood counties.

The Carolina Dance Collaborative is a mobile dance outreach 501(c)3 organization that seeks to make dance accessible to all people regardless of location, ability, or resources. They aim to serve the whole student and provide enriching dance education opportunities beyond the classroom and into their lives. They offer the Connect Class for ages 5-11 and 12+.

Advanced Therapy Solutions Pediatrics has two Greenville locations and three Spartanburg locations. They provide a wide variety of services to children with special needs and developmental delays including occupational therapy, physical therapy, and speech therapy. Therapists at ATS also use specialty programs that can help with auditory processing, feeding difficulties, and more. These include the Interactive Metronome (IM), Integrated Listening Systems (ILS), and Sequential Oral Sensory (SOS) Feeding.

Mountainside 28 Jimmy Doolittle Drive, Greenville
864.679.8606
Seaside 10 Jimmy Doolittle Drive, Greenville
864.520.8910
Westside 8811 Warren Abernathy Hwy, Spartanburg
864.574.7282
Willow Lane 100 Willow Lane, Spartanburg
864.641.3125
OSOS Physical Therapy 660 Cummings Street, Spartanburg
864.208.8070
Spartanburg Pediatrics 2400 Winchester Place, Suite 102B, Spartanburg
864.576.7188

McCulloh Therapeutic Solutions offers the speech and language services you are looking for to help your child continue his or her development. For the past 15 years, MTS has been the recognized name in motor planning, speech, sensory, and oral-motor therapies for the Upstate of South Carolina. The best part is your child’s speech or language screening at our locations in Spartanburg and Greenville is FREE! If you have concerns about your child’s speech development, fine or gross motor skills, picky-eating or feeding habits, or if your child has been diagnosed with apraxia, autism, auditory processing, we can help. You are not in this alone! Our team of speech-language pathologists is ready to work with you and your child to reach your goals. MTS accepts many forms of speech coverage including SC Medicaid, SC BabyNet, private pay, Health Savings accounts, private insurance, and TRICARE. It’s easy to schedule an appointment to learn more. 

Spartanburg office: call (864) 576-7188

Greenville office: call (864) 244-3474

Email us anytime at info@mtskids.com

Kids Golf and Fitness Academy offers a variety of fun classes such as golf, Mom/Dad and me, American Sign Language, Art, design, fitness, dance specific fitness, golf specific fitness, sports specific fitness, and more! Ages 3 and up. All skill levels, learning styles, and physical abilities welcome.

Speaking Life LLC offers speech and language therapy services for children in Greenville County. The service can be provided at home and in a community setting.

Both TCMU- Greenville and TCMU – Spartanburg occasionally offer special sensory-friendly times at the museum. TCMU-Spartanburg holds a monthly Sensory Wednesday session where the lights are dimmed, the water table is turned off, and rotating activities in the classroom are self-guided for learning and play.

Keep an eye on the TCMU calendar for more specific sensory-friendly events.

The WNC Nature Center is certified as “sensory inclusive” and offers kits to guests with sensory issues such as autism and PTSD. The center has collaborated with KultureCity, a non-profit organization specializing in sensory challenges, and has trained the staff to accommodate those with special needs. The kits can be borrowed while at the center and consist of noise cancelling headphones, fidget tools, and cue cards.

The WNC Nature Center is now certified as “sensory inclusive” and is offering new kits to guests with sensory issues such as Autism and PTSD. The center has collaborated with KultureCity a non profit organization specializing in sensory challenges and has trained the staff to accommodate those with special needs. The kits will be on loan while at the center and will consist of noise cancelling headphones, fidget tools, and cue cards.

Guidance and support to parents of students who are struggling — helping to navigate the school referral process and get the most effective educational help for students

A special Easter event for those in the Spartanburg community with mental and/or physical disabilities. Hunts are divided into age groups, and a Parent Buddy is allowed for children under 6.

HALTER (Healing And Learning Through Equine Relationships) is a therapeutic horseback riding program for children with disabilities in the Spartanburg area. They offer equine-facilitated psychotherapy, equine-assisted learning, hippotherapy, and adaptive riding.

This informal organization is comprised of self advocates, service providers, families, and community stakeholders working to make the community better a place to live for people with disabilities. You’ll find resources on everything from housing and employment to recreation.

Family Connection of SC supports families of children with special needs. Programs and services provide parents with support and guidance in locating helpful services for their children, as well as parent-to-parent mentoring.

Einstein Academy is a non-profit private school for 1st-8th graders who have been diagnosed with ADHD, ADD, Autism and/or similar challenges.

This parent- and volunteer-run organization serves over 300 families in Greenville. They support new and expectant parents of children with Down Syndrome, advocate and educate for inclusion in the community, and provide services and online resources to assist families.

Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System’s Pediatric Rehabilitation offers occupational therapy, speech therapy, and physical therapy for newborns through age 21.

Thrive Upstate offers many services for people with disabilities in the Upstate. These services include early intervention for children, but also pre-vocational and vocational training, residential housing, and more. In KidVentures, the early intervention program, an early interventionist works with parents and children on the child’s developmental goals, as well as coordinating necessary services and therapy.

2023 KABOOM Family Favorites Finalist: Pediatric Therapy Office

Did you know 1 in 6 children are affected by a mental health disorder? That is over 32% of children nationwide. However, with early diagnosis, families can make a huge difference in the lives of their children. This starts with finding the right Provider. When your child is struggling, the whole family is struggling, and we are passionate about walking alongside you and your child so that you can experience a more healthy and vibrant family dynamic. Our providers have client-centered approaches and often use experiential therapy, play therapy, and/or art and creative therapies to help children on their path to healing.

VIVE also offers several specialized treatment options for pediatric clients, including PCIT (Parent-Child Interactive Therapy) and Parent Management.

● PCIT is a proven, evidence-based approach to treating young children (ages 2-7) with behavioral problems. Working with our certified therapist, a parent and child are observed while the therapist provides in-the-moment coaching.
● Parent Management is a behaviorally-based treatment that helps parents learn to positively shape their children’s behaviors, promote compliance, and encourage growth. If you have any questions or want more information about counseling services for children, adolescents, or adults, please give us a call. We would be happy to discuss how we can come alongside you and your family to create positive growth and change.

Visit vivepsych.com or call 864.239.4110

Designed for children aged 3.5 through 19, Brain Balance works with students who may have ADHD, Asperger’s, processing challenges, trouble making friends, and/or a learning disability like dyslexia. Brain Balance identifies academic, social, and/or behavioral, then sets a plan to help address specific needs.

University of South Carolina School of Medicine giant online resource guide searchable by topic. This database offers links and explores topics for early childhood screenings, assistance services, and various resource solutions.

The Center for Developmental Services houses many partner services for children with special needs in one location. They offer a wide range of therapy for developmental delays, speech, hearing, behavioral and more, including family programs and educational programs. The Center for Developmental Services also connects families with the services suitable for their needs.

BabyNet is South Carolina’s system for children under 3 years old with developmental delays. Parents, friends, doctors, teachers, and caregivers can all refer a child to BabyNet. Once referred children will be evaluated to see if their delays qualify for services. The evaluation and services are free to all families and funded through the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, and managed through the South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services.

How to Get Started with Babynet

The South Carolina School for the Deaf and the Blind, located in Spartanburg, offers a specialized school for children from preschool through grade 12.  The school provides vision and hearing services in communities and schools throughout South Carolina.

A safe, family dining experience to connect with others and become part of a community. They offer resources and host events for those with special needs.

Home to the Greenville County Parks & Rec office, you will find the Boundless Playgrounds, a fully-accessible, sunny playground beside a preschool playground and lots of swings at the entrance off Old Spartanburg. If you go in the Scottswood entrance, you’ll find an enclosed, sunny playground with swings, sandbox, and a grassy space. With a dog park, tennis courts, paved trail and even an ice rink and bounce house inside, you will find something for everyone to love.

• Bounce house, ice rink, paved trail, dog park, tennis courts, grassy space
• Two Playgrounds: One fully-accessible with preschool area and one enclosed playground, both in the sun
• Restrooms
• Free parking lot

Read our review on Kidding Around Greenville of the Pavilion.

Word Play Therapies offers speech, occupational, and physical therapy services for children. Parents and caregivers are involved during sessions with the therapists. Sessions are play-based, creative, and interactive.

Dr. Nekita Sullivan provides holistic pediatric house calls for kids with and without special needs-physical, play, and yoga therapy in the home, facility, or playground.

Kidnetics is a department of the Prisma Health Children’s Hospital. They offer a wide range of therapeutic services to children, including occupational therapy, speech therapy, and physical therapy.

Offers educational programs for individuals with severe intellectual disabilities. The campus is designed with specialized rooms that explore various courses, including adapted arts, music, physical education, daily living, library, and environmental science. The staff is fully trained and qualified. They also offer over a dozen distinguishing programs. They offer special education for ages 3-21. The Washington Center is a separate school associated with Greenville County Schools.

Summer camp for special needs and children in foster care.
Cost: $175 per child (discounts for siblings and foster children)

Camp runs from 9 am – 4:30 pm
Camp is a week-long and is organized by the Selah Grey Foundation.