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Volume 14

June 2023

Welcome to the June Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) newsletter where we are taking a break from Individualized Education Program (IEP) topics to provide a list of "summer fun" resources (as well as some for throughout the year) and to share highlights from our organization. We are here to help make this summer frustration free with tips, tricks, and activities to keep your child engaged and active.

Visit the ADR website

"Summer Fun" Resources

If you are like us, you want to keep your child active and engaged when school is out rather than on electronics all day. But what to do and where to go is often the question, and finding programs can be a struggle. That struggle has a way of multiplying when factoring in a child’s special needs. Below are some ideas and resources to help kids of all ability levels have a great summer.

Sign up for a Sport

Sports are a great way to teach children teamwork skills, get their bodies moving, and have them play alongside peers. The following are some ways to involve your child in sports that they love and also meet their unique needs:

Miracle League

A baseball league for individuals with special needs. Miracle League works with a buddy program so each player can feel confident and have fun. The closest field is located at Bell Middle School in San Diego. Fall registration is open now!

Sports for Exceptional Athletes

Sports for Exceptional Athletes or S4EA is a sports program that offers over 20 sports — some year-round, some seasonal — like bowling, tennis, and even Zoom workout classes for children and adults with developmental disabilities. Check out the different sports opportunities and get involved.

San Diego Special Olympics

The Special Olympics is a global organization that supports athletes with and without intellectual disabilities and their communities through Olympic-type sports. Visit their website to see what sports programs are offered locally.

TOPSoccer

The Outreach Program for Soccer, or TOPSoccer, is a community-based recreational program specifically designed for athletes with physical and mental disabilities. Their closest collaborators are the La Jolla Youth Soccer League. Go to the website to learn more about how to get involved.

Visit the Playground

Parks are a free and easy way for children of all ages to have fun, exercise, and spend time outside. If you and your family have a favorite playground, that's a great place to start. Invite friends or family, pack a picnic, and make a day of it. Eucalyptus Park and Veterans Park in Chula Vista offer an accessible playground experience for kids.

Take a Hike

Take your child for a hike. We live in a beautiful area to enjoy the great outdoors. One way to experience nature is with peers. You and your child can join a hiking group like this one for individuals with disabilities in San Diego County. Learn more about Limitless Adventures and join their next hike.

Or you can plan your own hiking adventure with your child! We're surrounded by amazing hiking trails in almost every direction like this accessible hiking loop in San Diego complete with a wheelchair accessible foot path, interpretive signage, and shade structures to cool off under.

Go on a Wildlife Adventure

The San Diego Zoo is known for its beautiful park and amazing animals, but did you know they also have a Zoo Accessibility Guide with answers to common questions and a list of the accommodations offered for individuals with disabilities? The San Diego Zoo Safari Park offers a similar experience and also has a list of accommodations, such as sensory bags with fidgets, and free admittance for the attendant of an individual with a developmental disability. Another fun way to experience San Diego is by going to Sea World and spending a day at the park. Check out Sea Worlds Accessibility Guide to see what accommodations the park offers.

Spend a Day at the Museum

Whether your child is interested in science, loves trains, or wants to spend the day interacting with art, museums are great ways to beat the heat and make learning fun. The New Children's Museum offers accessible mornings, creating a quieter, sensory-friendly setting for families to enjoy the interactive art. The Fleet Science Center also has accessible mornings with a special screening and early gallery access for the special needs community. Other Balboa Park museums provide alternating free Tuesdays to San Diego County residence.

Hang out at Home

Some summer days are best spent at home, but don't worry, just because you aren't leaving the house doesn't mean you won't have fun. Try making an obstacle course for your child, either in the living room or the backyard. Obstacle courses are great ways to work on gross motor skills with your little ones. Here's a list of gross motor activity ideas to try out at home this summer.

Art projects are also a fun at-home activity that ignites your child's creative thinking and imagination. Summer-themed arts and crafts are a great way to have fun, make art, and get familiar with months and seasons. Check out these summer crafts for some inspiration!

Reading with your child is a simple and effective way to practice language skills, increase imagination, and connect as a family. Find books on topics that interest your child so they are more likely to engage. If they are reading along with you, make sure you find something appropriate for their reading level. Your local library is a great place to find a fun book and stay out of the heat.

Have a Sensory Experience

It can be challenging to go to movie theaters and libraries with children who have sensory sensitivities or other special needs, which is why National City Library and AMC movie theaters offer special sensory story times and movie screenings. The Sensory Storytime is a great way for parents and children to enjoy the library and connect with others. If you are interested in going to see a sensory-friendly screening of a film this summer, AMC Palm Promenade in Chula Vista offers movies on the second and fourth Saturday (family-friendly) and Wednesday evenings (mature audiences). See a list of summer showings.

You can find more ideas in the following recreation resource lists:

Upcoming Events

June 12 and 26 — Sensory Story Time at National City Library

An inclusive story time for children on the second and fourth Monday of the month at 11 a.m. See a full list of National City Library events here.

June 13 — Parent ADR Office Hours

Bring your questions to our team and join us virtually from 10 to 11 a.m. using the Zoom meeting ID: 837 9802 7038.

July 14 — All-Inclusive Day of Play and Resource Fair

At this free family event, children of all abilities will enjoy themed activity stations including a wheelchair awareness course, an under-the-sea sensory tent, and more! Visit the Special Needs Resource Foundation of San Diego website for more information.

July 22 — South Bay Union School District 100 Year Celebration

South Bay Union School District is celebrating 100 years and kicking off the school year with a day of fun, food, and school and community resources. South Bay families can come and enjoy the celebration from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Nestor Language Academy. Check out the flyer for more information.

July 29 — Chula Vista Elementary School District Community EXPO

Join Chula Vista Elementary School District from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. for a day filled with interactive activities for kids, valuable resources for parents, and much more.

Aug. 3 — SELPA Resource Fair

Join the South County SELPA from 10 a.m. to noon at the South County Regional Education Center, 800 National City Blvd. in National City. The fair will include resources from our member districts and the special needs community.

Aug. 15 to Sept. 12 — Parent IEP Academy

Interested in increasing your understanding of the IEP process? Do you want to feel confident that you have the necessary tools to fully participate in your child’s IEP? Register now for the Parent IEP Academy, which will meet Tuesdays on Zoom from noon to 1 p.m.

Spanish Registration / English Registration

SELPA Highlights

Community Advisory Committee Art and Award Show

Last month, the South County SELPA Community Advisory Committee hosted the 15th annual art and award recognition event. The event showcased art from students in our South County school districts that was based on the theme Believe in Yourself. The event was also an opportunity to honor district and SELPA staff that have gone above and beyond for the special education community. Thank you to all of the participants and attendees. We appreciate your support.

Fun at IEP Day

On May 13, the Involved Exceptional Parents (IEP) Day planning committee hosted their annual IEP Day Conference where hundreds of parents gathered to hear presentations, connect with one another, and gather resources for children with special needs. The presentations included our team presenting with four other San Diego County SELPAs spreading the word about SELPAs and the resources available to families in their districts.

If you have any questions or comments on the ADR Insights Newsletter, please contact our team at scselpaadr@sdcoe.net.

Get up-to-the-minute information about what's happening at South County SELPA.