Social & Recreation: Sports (22+ Years)

Customized social, recreational and educational activities in a unique outdoor environment at Camp Cheerful in Strongsville. Includes horsemanship activities, cooking, gardening and landscaping, exercise and sports, community activities, arts and crafts, and field trips.

Monday – Friday, 9 am – 3 pm, with an optional supervised social time from 3-5:00 pm.

In collaboration with the Cuyahoga County Board of Developmental Disabilities.

In-home personal trainers servicing those enduring special needs and their families. All of the staff are certified and experienced with a few trainers having degrees as intervention specialists.

They work with individuals over the age of 18 in parts of Lake, Geauga, and Cuyahoga counties.

An integrated sports program for individuals with or without disabilities where everyone, regardless of ability, is encouraged to participate on the field of athletic competition. Sports include bowling, football, cross country, basketball, track & field, soccer, bocce and golf. ATC is a sanctioned Special Olympics organization. Funding may be available to cover the cost of participation.

Visit the All-Star Training Club website or search our Event Calendar for current program schedule.

Residential services, adult day programs, independent living services, affordable housing, and respite for adults over age 18 with autism. Applicants must be a resident of the state of Ohio.

They offer a Social Living Club with weekly activities that includes non-residents.

The Summer Enrichment Program has been serving adolescents with autism for 18 years on the 80-acre Bittersweet Farms campus in Whitehouse, Ohio. Participation in the program is also offered through our Pemberville and Lima locations.

Waivers accepted.

Veteran Blue Ribbon coach and advocate Sandy Ellis teaches the basics of boxing and some self defense skills. It is non-contact, but students will learn how to throw a punch, a jab, a right hand, uppercuts and hooks using special coaching mitts as targets. Boxing is great for self-confidence and is a great physical opportunity for those not comfortable with team sports. For teens and adults ages 15 and up.

Horsemanship sessions are tailored for children and adults with physical, mental and emotional strengths and limitations. This year-round program is taught by instructors certified by the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship Int’l. in a heated arena. The sensory trail in the woods of Camp Cheerful was designed especially for riders with autism.

The use of the horse and equine-oriented activities are incorporated to achieve a variety of therapeutic goals, including cognitive, physical, emotional, social, educational and behavioral goals.

Offers league programs that give athletes with special needs the chance to play right alongside their typically-functioning peers.  All players make the team and after a couple practice sessions, the games begin! Each season features 5+ games with high school or college basketball teams. Location and cost vary.

Visit the Empower Sports website or search our Event Calendar for current program dates.

Therapeutic riding and equine-assisted activities are uniquely designed for people with cognitive, physical, emotional and social disabilities.

They offer a variety of programs including therapeutic riding, carriage driving, hippotherapy, instructor training, and barn and classroom programs. They also have Gaitway High School and a Summer Camp program (separate listings)

Gliding Stars offers adaptive ice skating lessons and equipment for individuals of all ages. There are several chapters, including in Ohio:

Gliding Stars of Northeast Ohio
P.O. Box 53
400 Aurora Commons Circle
Aurora, OH 44224
contact: Melinda Bednarik, Co-Coordinator
phone: (440) 477-3839

Gliding Stars of Findlay, OH
P.O. Box 1561
Findlay, Ohio 45839
contact: Cindy Bregel
phone: (419) 423-4536

Gliding Stars of Toledo, OH
P.O. Box 751
Sylvania, Ohio 43560-0751
contact: Bill Himmel, Coordinator
phone: (419) 304-4324

Provides opportunities for adults with emotional, physical and developmental disabilities and their families to take full advantage of nearly all of The Mandel JCC programs and services. They also offer personal training for people with disabilities.

Visit the Mandel JCC website for current program schedule.

Equine-assisted therapeutic and riding program serving children and adults with special needs. Classes start with children age 5.

Yoga, Yoga Therapy, and Meditation practices for people of all ages on the spectrum. Services at studio cost $60/month, with classes meeting once a week.

The Cleveland Clinic Children’s Hospital for Rehabilitation offers an Adaptive Aquatic Therapy Program for both inpatient and outpatient therapeutic needs.

Children may take advantage of the pool as an extension of their physical and occupational therapy goals or through learn-to-swim programs, in which recreational therapists, specially trained in adaptive techniques, work one-on-one with children to maximize their functional independence in the pool. The 30-minute sessions run every other week for 8 weeks and you must pre-register.

Call (216) 444.5437 with questions about the program.
Please note that The Cleveland Clinic no longer accepts Caresource as a form of insurance.

LEAP sponsors a recreation program that offers social, recreational, and athletic opportunities for people with developmental disabilities ages 18 and older. Called Quantum LEAP, the program is open to residents of eastern Cuyahoga County. Activities take place at various locations on Cleveland’s east side.

Visit the Quantum LEAP website or search our Event Calendar for current program schedule.

Individual and group recreation and aquatic therapy services for children and adults with special needs. Programs are structured based on one-on-one and group assessments, followed by individual treatment plans.

Group recreation and aquatic therapy services are held at the Mandel JCC in Beachwood, OH.
Aquatic therapy and group programming services are held at Gemini Center in Fairview Park, OH.

Classes change regularly, please call them or visit their website for the most updated information.

A trampoline park that offers open jump for people with special needs and their siblings on Monday nights from 4:30pm-6pm. They are closed to the public during this time.

They also book group events and host school field trips, including those with special needs.
For more information contact events teams at Westlake or Highland Heights locations.

Various weekly activities on the west side of Cleveland for adults 18 and older. Schedule changes every six weeks, and the cost and location vary between programs.

Contact SOAR! for current program schedule.

Sports training and competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, aged 8 and up. There is also a Young Athletes program for children aged 2-7. There are no fees for athletes and their families to participate in Special Olympics and no fees assessed to local programs to participate in Area and Regional competitions.

There are minimal fees varying by sport assessed to local programs for participation at State Competitions.

Visit their website to find the office closest to you.

The Mentor Ice Arena’s Special Skaters Program is for youths and adults with disabilities. Skating instruction is provided by ice arena staff who are assisted by volunteers. Skate time and social time is also included in the program.

In addition, Special Skaters have the opportunity to compete in Special Olympic events.

The program runs from September through March during the regular season.

Therapeutic martial arts programs for ages 3-adult. Classes include physical activity and group therapy components.

3-5 year-old classes-$325/12 weeks, classes meet Saturdays 9:15-10:15 AM
6+ classes-$775/12 weeks, classes meet Tuesdays 4:30-5:30 PM and Saturdays 10:30-noon

Provides the opportunity for children and adults with special needs in Medina and surrounding communities in Northeast Ohio a chance to experience playing baseball in a league-based environment.

Therapeutic riding instruction for people of all ages on the autism spectrum, beginning at age 4.

Individual evaluation required before enrollment
Evaluation-$25/half hour
Program fee-$280/10 weeks

Financial aid available

Designed to help calm the nervous system and create body awareness, this class uses visuals, low lighting, and soft music as environmental supports. Students will work on balance, strength, and integrative movement through yoga poses; self-regulation/calming techniques through breath work, and participate in mindfulness activities.
Participants should dress comfortably and bring a water bottle to class if desired.
Parents are welcome to observe and may be asked to silently assist in class.

Class is taught by Jen Griest Hayes, a Certified Level 1 and 2 Instructor for Creative Relaxation, a licensed Intervention Specialist, and Autism Consultant.