How can we support each other? “There are many ways neurotypical children can support classmates or neighbors with special needs:
• Be a good friend.
• When you are trying to get his attention, call his name and make sure he is looking at you.
Include her in activities at recess and free play time.
• If he looks like he is losing interest, call his name again and bring him back.
• Be respectful of the way she like things. If you borrow her markers, be sure to put them back the way you found them.
• Make a ‘Friend Sandwich’: Make sure your special-needs friend is sitting between you and a friend so that he is always included in the conversation.
• Protect them from being bullied. Remember, they might not realize they are being bullied and they may not be able to tell the bully how they feel.”
Here is Rosner’s list of local resources for parents of children with special needs:
• www.parentsupportgrouponline.com: a great site to find support, information and share resources
• Buddy Ball, special needs baseball team: https://marlboro.baberuthonline.com
• Special needs soccer team: www.lagrangesoccer.org/needs.html
Julie’s Jungle, an accessible playground is being built in Hopewell Junction for all children of all abilities to interact with family and friends: www.juliesjungle.org
• Hudson Valley Behavioral Solutions: social skills classes, individual instruction, parent training and school consultations, all utilizing the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). Find them on Facebook for daily behavior tips or e-mail behaviorsos@gmail.com for more information.
Parents’ Nights Out programs
My favorite part about dropping off my kids at a Parents’ Night Out program on date night is that I don’t have to put special effort into straightening up my house the way I do for a babysitter. We drop the kids off, they have a great time, and we have the option to go out or enjoy a quiet date at home. Here are some providers to keep handy for your date-night childcare. Got any more? Please e-mail me!
Circle of Friends Preschool: Circle of Friends is unique in that it is a fully licensed preschool that also offers a monthly Parents’ Night Out. To give you a flavor of the school, I’ve included a few testimonials about the regular program: “Both my husband and I agree: Sending our kids to Michelle’s school is in the Top Ten Best Decisions We’ve Made as Parents,” says Kate Johnson, environmental educator. “Michelle guided [our children’s] learning with exceptional intuition and respect for their individual interests, challenges and development,” shares Mary Redmond. “The curriculum at Circle of Friends incorporates science and nature study, health and nutrition, art and music and so many books – all in a warm, playcentric environment where children are encouraged (by example) to treat each other with respect and to express themselves as individuals,” explains Donna Eis, mother of two Circle of Friends alumni.
The next scheduled Parent’s Night Out is Saturday, September 21 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. and includes dinner and activities. Ages are young preschool and up. The cost is $10 per hour for one child, $15 per hour for two children. Circle of Friends is located in Highland. For reservations or more information about Parents’ Night Out or the regular preschool program, call (845) 834-3342 or visit www.circleoffriendspreschool1.com.
The Little Gym of Kingston: The next scheduled Parent Survival Night is Saturday, September 7 from 6 to 9 p.m. and includes dinner and games. Ages are 3 to 12 years. The cost is $34 for non-members, $28 for members and a ten percent sibling discount. The address is 1200 Ulster Avenue in Kingston. For reservations or more information about Parent Survival Night or regular classes, call (845) 382-1020 or visit www.thelittlegym.com/kingstonny.
Mac Park: Mac’s Parents’ Night Out takes place on the third Friday of the month from 6 to 9:30 p.m. and includes games and movies. Families must provide a snack and a drink for their children. Ages are 5 to 12 years. The cost is $15 for one child, $25 for two children, $10 for each additional child. The address is 743 East Chester Street in Kingston. For reservations or more information about Parents’ Night Out or their afterschool and School’s Out programs, call (845) 338-2887 or visit www.mac-park.com.
Mr. Todd’s Gym: The next scheduled Parents’ Date Night is Saturday, October 19 from 6 to 9 p.m. and includes dinner and games. Ages are approximately 4 years old and up (children must be potty-trained). The cost is $17 per child for non-members, $14 for members if you reserve by the Wednesday before; $19 and $17 after Wednesday. The address is 12 Olympic Way in Poughkeepsie. For reservations or more information about Parents’ Date Night or regular classes, call (845) 473-3966 or visit https://mrtoddsgym.com.
Ultimate Gymnastics: Ultimate’s Parents’ Night Out takes place from 6 to 9 p.m. on scheduled Saturday evenings and includes dinner, games and a movie. Ages are approximately 4 years old and up (children must be potty-trained). The cost is $25 for the first child, $15 for siblings. The address is 28 Osprey Lane in Gardiner. For reservations or more information about Parents’ Night Out or regular classes, call (845) 255-5600 or visit https://ultimategymnasticscenter.com.
Erica Chase-Salerno tries to remember to look for the helpers. She lives in New Paltz with her husband Mike and their two children: the inspirations behind hudsonvalleyparents.com. She can be reached at kidsalmanac@ulsterpublishing.com.
Join the family! 
