Select Special Needs Resources for Ohio Families

Cleveland Hearing & Speech Center
Cleveland Hearing & Speech Center is the premier provider of hearing, speech-language, learning, and deaf services in the greater Cleveland community, serving thousands of infants, children and adults annually. 216-231-7141, chsc.org

Cuts N Curls
Cuts N Curls has been voted the number one children’s salon in Cleveland for the last five years. Its staff understands your concerns as a parent of a child with special needs. Having been trained by Autism Speaks, the staff will do everything they can to make your experience at CNC stress-free and enjoyable in a safe environment. Their goal is a positive experience for the whole family. Open seven days a week. 440-542-1750, cutsncurls.net

Empowering Epilepsy
Empowering Epilepsy is a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating a proactive, seizure controlling/preventative respite center and community for people with epilepsy, their families and caregivers in Northeast Ohio. It was created by people in Cleveland who were directly affected by epilepsy and found that or support resources outside the neurologist’s office were limited. Empowering Epilepsy’s goal is to create a community that allows people with epilepsy and their families to find active ways to manage their seizures and take charge of their lives. 440-248-6158, empoweringepilepsy.org

Hanna Perkins Center for Child Development
Growing up is hard enough. When you need help with the unique social-emotional challenges your child is sure to encounter, Hanna Perkins is here to help. It’s a non-profit organization offering child and adolescent mental health services, counsel and support for parents, and early childhood education with a social-emotional focus — including a dedicated classroom for children with autism spectrum disorders. Since 1951. 216-991-4472, hannaperkins.org

Hearts for Music
Hearts For Music is a non-profit organization created to provide opportunities and avenues for individuals with special needs wanting to pursue their love for creating and performing music in a professional ensemble setting. At its core is an orchestra made up of 20 to 25 children and/or young adults with a variety of special needs, such as Down syndrome or autism. 330-298-5549, heartsformusic.org

Julie Billiart Schools
A network of schools serving children in grades kindergarten through eighth with special learning challenges. Currently, campuses in Lyndhurst and Akron offer unique learning environments for students with autism, ADD/ADHD, dyslexia and social learning challenges. They are Catholic, non-public schools that respect diverse faith traditions and are providers of the Autism and Jon Peterson Scholarships. 216-691-8916, juliebilliartschool.org

LiveSpecial.com
LiveSpecial.com is a free and comprehensive online, go-to resource for all things required to support individuals with special needs and their families in Northeast Ohio. LiveSpecial.com includes an easy-to-navigate resource guide with the most current medical, social and rehabilitative services and access information needed to help support any age person with special needs. It also has helpful videos, LiveSpecial Magazine and more! LiveSpecial.com is an initiative of the National Council of Jewish Women — Cleveland. Visit LiveSpecial.com

The Music Settlement
The Music Settlement serves people of all ages with disabilities. After completing the Center for Music Therapy intake/placement process, individuals may work toward personalized therapeutic goals in group or private music therapy sessions. Its Arts N Play class for children ages 3-6 is co-led by an early childhood teacher and a board-certified music therapist; children with disabilities play and bridge with typically developing peers. Funding assistance and other inclusion opportunities are available, too. Call 216-421-5806 ext. 104 or email [email protected]. themusicsettlement.org

Royalton Music Center
Royalton Music Center offers individually-designed private sessions targeted toward communication, social skills, and academic, psychological, and physical needs. Responses, both musical and non-musical, are documented after each session to keep track of progress. Multiple therapists are available for the perfect fit. Program runs on a monthly basis, and some families may be eligible for funding through the Family Resources department in their county. Kindermusik classes also are taught by music therapists for children ages birth to 6 years. 440-237-9400, royaltonmusic.com

Summit Developmental Disabilities Board
The Summit County Developmental Disabilities Board (Summit DD) connects people with developmental disabilities to the right supports they rely on to live their lives to the fullest. The levy-funded organization touches the lives of more than 4,700 children and adults each year, empowering them to achieve success throughout every stage of their lives. Visit summitdd.org to learn more.

For a complete listing of resources for Northeast Ohio families of children with special needs, visit www.LiveSpecial.com.

Sensory-Inclusive Spots

Akron Zoo
330-375-2550
akronzoo.org/accessibility

Achievement Centers for Children
216-292-9700
achievementcenters.org

AMC Theaters
amctheatres.com/programs/sensory-friendly-films

Beck Center
216-521-2540
beckcenter.org

Cafe O’ Play
330-928-7517
cafeoplay.com

Fine Arts Association
440-951-7500
fineartsassociation.org

Get Air
440-591-6520
getaircleveland.com

Playhouse Square
216-771-4444
playhousesquare.org

Quicken Loans Arena Sensory Room
theqarena.com/arena-info/accessibility-info