Local Area Activities for Your Child

Do you have a child with a disability or special health care need?  Are you located in central Texas?  If you answered “yes” to both of these questions, you're in the right place.

If you have school-aged children, you are probably always on the lookout for new things to do. Have you ever heard the question, "What else are we going to do?"  Regardless of their disability, our children need to have fun things to do.  It may be some kind of sport or outdoor activity, or something like dance, drama or art. Listed below are a few things to consider:

Does your child enjoy sports activities? Central Texas Ability Sports is a nonprofit organization that was started by parents of children with disabilities that provides year round sports for children with disabilities and their siblings. Fundraising and donations help them provide the sports and activities at no cost.  Central Texas Ability Sports holds events throughout central Texas, from Bastrop to Killeen.  Nonsport activities include community service projects with food banks and visiting nursing homes.  Children are involved with and give back to their community. The  Austin YMCA  also has a variety of activities for kids with disabilities, including gymnastics, aquatics, fitness, and the paralympic experience.

Does your child like or prefer the arts, dance or theatre?  If so, there are also options available for those activities as well.  The Hideout Theatre in Austin offers Special Needs Improv classes for children and teens.  Teens to age 17 with autism spectrum disorders or Asperger syndrome also have the opportunity to participate in improvisational sessions.  Sessions are offered in a 6 week series as well as mini camps during the summer and on weekends.  Please visit The Hideout Theatre for more details. 

For teens 14 and older, The Arc of the Capital Area offers a full service program called The Arc of the Arts Studio.   This program lets kids create art in different mediums and show and sell their art in a professional manner.  Local artists volunteer to give art classes in a socially inclusive environment for teens and adults with developmental disabilities. For more information, including session costs, please visit The Arc of the Capital Area.

Don’t forget to check out the resources on this website to find other possibilities for summer fun by going to Find Services, Groups & Events. Have a great summer!