Social Groups & Supports
Mission
Best Buddies International is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to establishing a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, leadership development, and inclusive living for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Who We Serve The IDD community that Best Buddies serves includes, but is not limited to, people with Down syndrome, autism, Fragile X, Williams syndrome, cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injury and other undiagnosed disabilities. Programs Best Buddies is the world’s largest organization dedicated to ending the social, physical and economic isolation of the 200 million people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Our programs empower the special abilities of people with IDD by helping them form meaningful friendships with their peers, secure successful jobs, live independently, improve public speaking, self-advocacy and communication skills, and feel valued by society. |
The Next Step Programs is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. TNS provides a series of educational programs and skill development opportunities, which are a combination of workshops, webinars, and 1:1 support sessions, to educate individuals, families, educators, and employers about the transition and vocation process for individuals with disabilities.
TNS creates and maintains relationships with employers to ensure that they are maintaining their work in hiring and maintaining employment of individuals with disabilities and taking that next step in social development and inclusion. |
Pug Wugs |
Pug Wugs is a national ministry reaching out to people with special needs and their families through the church.
The Pug Wugs at Bux-Mont Christian Church began in 1984 as a result of one father’s wish for his son with Down Syndrome to be an important and active member of the church family. The church then explored different options and came across the Pug Wug program for people with special needs. The group started with five of the young man’s friends; and today it is a group of thirty plus individuals ranging from the ages of fourteen to forty years old. |
DOWN FOR DANCE is driven by a deep passion to develop and offer quality programing for those populations that are not normally exposed to artistic forms of expression.
Last spring amidst the pandemic, we were faced with the reality that we needed to take an indefinite break from in-studio classes… & so our online journey began. We quickly transitioned and adapted our ‘in-studio’ program to an online platform so that we could continue to offer high quality programming and opportunities for our dancers. This has allowed us to spread DFD nationwide, currently serving over 100 dancers across 21 states in the US! Online program |
Everyone has a Special Match… let us help you find yours.Dating and friendships just got a whole lot easier and fun for adults with unique abilities! Let us help you discover your brand new social world in a safe and private atmosphere. This site is family owned and operated and was created for people with special needs and disabled adults who are interested in dating, companionship or just looking for friendship.
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Bucks County Social Skills Groups in PennsylvaniaAt Tutoring-Works, our tutors understand that social interaction is integral to the academic success of students. In particular, students with autism, ADHD, ADD and other executive functioning disorders in the Bucks County PA area can greatly benefit from attending social skills groups. The objective of a social skills group is to alleviate the overwhelming feelings that may occur while attempting to make friends and initiate social interactions. By providing a safe environment for students to bond over common interests, the social skills groups at Tutoring-Works offer a unique opportunity for students to make friends.
Our Bucks County Tutoring Services Include:
For parents seeking Bucks County social skills groups for your child or students interested in Bucks County social skills groups near Bucks County PA, call (215) 820-1382 or send us a message. |
Association Adults with Developmental Disabilities (AADD) believes that social interaction is at the heart of the human experience. Yet, some of the simple activities many of us take for granted — a ride on the bus, a trip to the store, a phone call from a friend, a meal at a restaurant — are significant accomplishments for men and women with developmental disabilities. Our ultimate outcome is members’ enhanced independence, self-pride, social and behavioral skills. To accomplish this we believe that social interaction is key.
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Special Vacations, Inc. offers a wide range of vacations and recreational opportunities for adults with physical and intellectual challenges. Founded by Pat McFarlane nearly 30 years ago, the organization has expanded each year to offer an increasing variety of all-inclusive vacations in the Unites States and abroad.
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The Teen Center is open virtually, via the free Blue Jeans app, on Fridays from 4:00 – 5:30 PM. To join the group, call or text Gerri Parrish at 267.806.0974. For updates, follow us on Instagram @teencenter96 and on Facebook at facebook.com/TeenCenterLanghorne.
The Teen Center is a confidential place where you can vent about your problems and get support from caring professionals and others who are going through similar struggles. All teens ages 14-19 are welcome. |
Lehigh, Northampton and Bucks County
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TIP is a specialized service aimed to address common hurdles encountered by young adults, age 16-26. The program is designed to help individuals reach their vision of a successful future by using a strength based approach that focuses on achievement and problem solving.
TIP focuses on 5 key areas: • Educational Opportunities • Living & Housing Support • Employment and Career Advisory • Community Life Functioning • Personal Effectiveness and Well Being Training For more information, contact: Bucks County Phone: 484-934-8039 Fax: 215-259-1974 [email protected] Lehigh and Northampton Counties Phone: 484-934-8039 Fax: 610-866-2341 [email protected] Who is eligible? • Ages 16-26 • Valid Medical Assistance in Lehigh, Northampton, or Bucks Counties • Psychological or Psychiatric Evaluation completed in the last 12 months |
Transition to Independence Process (TIP) Life is a journey, but you don’t have to do it alone. If you are between the ages of 16 to 26, Central’s TIP Program can help navigate the road towards independence. TIP is an empirically supported model developed to work with young people experiencing emotional and/or behavioral difficulties. TIP works to engage and support young people with the planning process for their future across five transition domains; Educational Opportunities, Living Situation, Employment and Career, Community Life Functioning, and Personal Effectiveness and Wellbeing. TIP provides a great deal of flexibility and works to engage young people through relationship development, person-centered planning, and a focus on the young person’s future. Services and supports are tailored to be accessible, appealing, non-stigmatizing, and developmentally appropriate, and will build upon strengths to support the young people in pursuing their goals across the five transition domains. Personal choice and social responsibility are acknowledged and developed, and personal competencies will be enhanced to support the young people in greater self-sufficiency and confidence. TIP will work to ensure that a safety net of support to include informal and formal key players in the young person’s life will be in place. TIP will maintain an outcome focus and will involve young people, parents, and community partners at the practice, program, and community levels. TIP provides frequent contact with the youth, typically weekly. Eligibility Adolescents and young adults ages 16-26 with emotional and/or behavioral health needs, who have a mental health disorder and medical assistance will be eligible. Anyone can make a referral on behalf of the young person utilizing the TIP Referral Form. It is encouraged that the referral be discussed with the young person to ensure that they are interested in exploring TIP services. TIP works collaboratively with all other key players involved in the young person’s life. Certain services, including Case Management (Recovery Coaching, BCM, D&A ICM), High Fidelity Wraparound, RTF, Therapeutic Foster Care, Family Based Services, ACT, and MST are considered a duplication of services with TIP. However, each young person’s needs will be evaluated, and exceptions may be made based on those needs. |
ABILITY PROGRAMS FOR ALL AGES
Programs, services and modifications for individuals with special needs YMCA of Bucks County offers adapted activities for youth, teens, and adults that include swim lessons, land fitness classes, one-on-one fitness instruction, karate, summer camp, teen nights and afterschool programs. Ability MembershipAn ABILITY membership is available to those who qualify offering membership and programs at a reduced rate. The membership is designed so that members can be safe and successful while using the facility or participating in programs, with the assistance of a caregiver. Doylestown, Quakertown, Warminster- Register in-person at Welcome Center Fairless Hills, Newtown- Register <online here> or in-person at Welcome Center |
Kaleidoscope Clubhouse offers a variety of clubs and services in a welcoming space where everyone enjoys a sense of belonging. The clubs are designed for children and adults ages 2 - 28 years old who have autism, intellectual disabilities and developmental delays (diagnosis not required). All Kaleidoscope Explorers engage in enriching activities creating opportunities for social connections and further developing skills in a safe and nurturing space. In addition, The Clubhouse provides parents/caregivers a time to interact, exchange information, and gain knowledge in a supportive accepting environment.
[email protected] 701 Horsham Road Horsham, PA 19044 267-486-1686 |