To stay resilient and to keep striving for betterment, everyone needs encouragement and hope. This is especially true for those who need extra assistance and support, such as children with special needs. After-school programs, such as those offered by A Special Connection Foundation , are especially essential to keeping Arizona children with special needs happy and striving towards their goals. After-school programs have been linked to enriching all forms of development, including moral, emotional, social and cognitive.
A Special Connection Foundation strives to provide the East Valley of Arizona with all forms of support for children with special needs and their parents. Families with disabled children in Mesa, Gilbert, Tempe and Apache Junction have been receiving help and support from A Special Connection Foundation since 2007.
After-school programs can provide more individual attention than a child regularly can receive in normal school hours. Whether a child has learning, developmental or physical challenges, this time can be adjusted to best suit interests and needs. After-school programs can also adjust themselves to fit the child's likes and dislikes, encouraging them to participate in their passions. Dreams and aspiration can be built, along with a path to develop them. This individualized time with similar children allows better interaction for social skills to develop - an important trait for acceptance in traditional classrooms. For children who have may never experienced being with other similar children, they can now feel a sense of belonging. Small after-school programs allow for a great opportunity for leadership roles, allowing the children to better understand the importance of responsibility and the pride of success.
Studies have proved that students with special needs benefit greatly from after-school programs in several areas. They have higher academic performance, increased rates of school attendance, positive behavior adjustments, and improved social skills. In turn, this newfound aptitude affects confidence and self-esteem levels. These skills help the students beyond the classroom, and will continue to assist them with success throughout the rest of their lives. Studies also show that after-school programs encourage positive morals, and lowers the risk of engaging in risky behavior. Children participating in after-school programs are more likely to become involved in the community and volunteer. It is many more ways than simply just academic that these programs positively contribute to the lives of children with special needs.
For parents, after-school programs provide the prime time to talk to other parents who may be experiencing similar challenges or issues. The emotional support is necessary for both the parents and the children. These small programs often become a second family for both the parents and the students, providing a special bond for encouragement and success. These programs also provide a safe place - a stress free and safe place for the children to go after school.
All children are likely to benefit greatly from after-school programs, though children with special needs can receive extra advantages. Specific individualized attention ensures that each child is helped and inspired to grow to utmost potential. Children with disabilities or special needs are allowed to interact with others in a way that is more conducive than traditional education settings. A Special Connection Foundation provides many different ways for Arizona children with special needs to grow emotionally, academically, and physically while improving health, happiness, and the chances of success. What sounds like a few simple hours after school can provide a great difference in present and long-term morale, social acceptance, and confidence.
By giving children with special needs the skills needed to grow, we can encourage and inspire success. Each way that these programs aid children with special needs builds upon each other, so that there is an overlap of beneficial motivation and inspiration. A family of emotional and physical support is created for both parents and children to provide needed assistance and encouragement. From this backbone of support, optimism and confidence grow so that dreams are able to be pursued. With the gift of hope, all children with special needs have the spark and the faith in themselves to continue their journey down the road to a joyous successful life.
