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14 Hudson Valley Parent ■ October 2015 12 PLACES CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS WILL LOVE BY PAM PERRY M y uncle has Down Syndrome. When he was young there were so few opportunities for children with special needs and it wasn't uncommon for children to be institutionalized. Fast forward 50 years and while as a society we are still learning and adapting to those with special needs, we are seeing many more resources and programs for them. So in honor of every family in the Hudson Valley with special needs, here are 12 places and activi- ties designed just for you. Bounce Poughkeepsie Children with special needs can jump for $10 for the fi rst hour and $5 for the second hour on the fi rst Monday of every month. Call ahead for reservations. Immediate family members are welcome to bounce too! Poughkeepsie, 845-206-4555. Ms. Claire's Music Cupboard Ms. Claire's offers Zylofone Performing Arts, a program specially designed for special needs; as well as Baby Signing Time, which ex- plores basic sign language through music. Other programs include: Kindermusik, Rhythmic Arts, Music, Movement and Drums and Yoga. Montgomery, 845-522-9652. Sensory Friendly Films This monthly program brings favorite fi lms to families with kids who have autism. The theater keeps the lights on and the sound down. Kids are encouraged to get up and dance, sing, shout, and move throughout the theater. This is defi - nitely a very cool way for the entire family to enjoy their time at the movies! Middletown, 845-695-1724. Winslow Riding Academy Therapeutic horseback riding helps children and adults with dis- abilities improve their physical, cog- nitive, social and emotional skills. At Winslow Riding Academy, there are specifi c programs to help meet the needs of individuals whether they have a disability or not. A few of the programs offered include Therapeu- tic Riding, Hippotheraphy, Horses for Heroes and group or private riding lessons. Warwick, 845-986-6686.