When your family is touched by special needs, reaching out to area support is vitally important.

See more listings in the Special Kids section of our main Directories.

associations/organizations/resources

American Cancer Society
Nashville Area Chapter
1-800-227-2345 • www.cancer.org
Cancer questions answered, programs, camps for children with cancer, camps for siblings of children with cancer and support.

American Diabetes Association
298-3066 • www.diabetes.org
Research, information, education and advocacy for all ages.

AmeriFace
888-486-1209 • www.ameriface.org
Support for patients and families representing all facial differences, congenital and acquired.

The Arc of Tennessee
248-5878 • www.thearctn.org
Davidson County • 321-5699 • www.arcdc.org
Williamson County • 790-5815
Provides direct services for persons with intellectual disabilities in the areas of advocacy, independent support, respite care and family support.

Autism & Behavior Consulting Services, LLC
331-1141 • www.abcservicesllc.net
Providing Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy and speech therapy to Middle Tennessee clients.

Austism Foundation of Tennessee
376-0034 • www.autismfoundationoftennessee.org
Offers ABA, speech and language therapy, social skills groups, IEP advocacy and pre-school readiness groups.

Autism Society of Middle Tennessee
385-207 • www.tnautism.org
Workshops, orientations, annual conferences, support groups, resource referrals, phone support, educational and legislative advocacy, public awareness opportunities and training to improve the lives of everyone affected by autism.

Beyond Therapy
277 Mallory Station Road, Ste. 117, Franklin
656-4656 • www.warecentre.com
Offers specialized outpatient physical therapy clinic catering to the neurologic pediatric population as well as gait training on the Lokomat, a body-weight supported treadmill.

Brown Center for Autism
248-5878 • www.thebrowncenter.org
In-house family counseling services, assessment and diagnostic services, social skills training and therapies including speech, therapy and occupational.

Center for the Study and Treatment of Dyslexia
200 N. Baird Lane, MTSU Box 397
Murfreesboro • 494-8880
www.mtsu.edu~dyslexia
Provides diagnostic services to K - 12 students who have been assessed by their school's multidisciplinary team and show characteristics associated with dyslexia.

Centerstone
www.centerstone.org
Various locations throughout Tennessee provide services to families with mental or behavioral health-care needs.

Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Tennessee Chapter
4825 Trousdale Drive, Ste. 238, Nashville
255-1167 • 800-824-5061
www.cff.org/chapters/tennessee
Provides information and referral, a support group, community education and public awareness.

Disability Law and Advocacy Center
800-342-1660 • www.dlactn.org
Advocacy system and client assistance program ensuring individual rights through education programs, financial entitlements, healthcare, accessible housing and employment opportunities.

Down Syndrome Association of Middle Tennessee
111 N. Wilson Blvd., Nashville
386-9002 • www.dsamt.org
A support group for families and friends of individuals with Down syndrome. Offers support, education and information. Summer camps and recreational activities are also available to individuals with Down syndrome.

Down Syndrome Clinic at Vanderbilt Children's Hospital
2200 Children's Way, Nashville
343-3696 • www.vanderbiltdownsyndromeclinic.com
A specialty clinic providing comprehensive medical and professional services to children and adults with Down syndrome.

Easter Seals Pediatric Rehabilitation Program
www.eastersealstn.com
Nashville • 292-6640
Offers summer camps and year round respite for children 6 years and older.

Epilepsy Foundation Middle & West Tennessee
2002 Richard Jones Road, Ste. C202 Nashville
269-7091 or 800-244-0768 • www.epilepsytn.org
Free information, referral, support and community education and more.

First Steps
690-3091 • www.firststepsnashville.org
Educates and cares for children with special needs and medical needs alongside their typically developing peers in inclusive environments and support for their families.

Hearing Bridges
Voice/TTY • 248-8828 OR Video • 290-5147
www.hearingbridges.org
Provides after-school programs in Nashville for children ages 8 - 18 who are deaf or hard of hearing, including tutoring and life-skills training. Offers support, counseling and preventative services for the hard of hearing. Offers summer camps for children 8 - 18 who are deaf, hard of hearing and hearing. Offers classes to the community in Speechreading, American Sign Language and Baby Signs.

High Hopes Preschool and Pediatric Therapy Clinic
661-5437 • www.highhopesnash.org
Year-round preschool for ages 6 weeks - preK. Outpatient clinic has a strength-training gym, one sensory gym, private therapy rooms and an orthotic room to provide occupational, physical, speech, listening, feeding and music therapies for ages birth - 21 years.

Junior League Family Resource Center
936-2558 • www.vanderbiltchildrens.com/frc
Provides information to help families understand a child's medical condition or disability. The on-site library provides books and other materials for families to checkout; the Flying Pig Children's Library offers health-related information and resources for children and teens; provides information on community and national agencies and local support programs.

Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation
383-6781 • www.midtnfamilynetwork.org
Connects parents of children with juvenile diabetes.

The KidLink Network
800-726-4032 • www.kidlinknetwork.com
Specialized development of IEPs for children with autism, ADD, ADHD, emotional disorders and learning disabilities.

Kids on the Block of Stars
279-0058 • www.kobnashville.org
An educational program for grades K - 6 utilizing puppetry to teach children health and disability information.

March of Dimes
Tennessee Chapter • 399-3200
www.marchofdimes.com/tennessee
Support for families of premature babies.

The Middle Tennessee Chapter of the UMDF
(United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation)
969-1353 • www.umdf.org
Quarterly meetings for support to individuals, families and friends affected by mitochondrial disease and to promote awareness in the community.

Muscular Dystrophy Association
832-5005 • www.mda.org
Support group for families with a neuromuscular disease.

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
361-6608 • www.namitn.org
A grassroots self-help organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for individuals with mental illnesses, their families and communities. Their mission is accomplished through mutual support, education and advocacy.

Prevent Blindness Tennessee
95 White Bridge Road, Ste. 312, Nashville
352-0450 • www.preventblindnesstn.org
Provides education, screening and referral for people ages 3 and older with vision problems, as well as free eye exams and glasses for those in need.

Project HELP
898-2458 • www.mtsu.edu/projecthelp
Early intervention for ages birth to 3 years who have disabilities or developmental delays.

Prospect Child Development
444-0597 • www.prospectinc.com
Early intervention program for families with children ages birth to 3 years with developmental delays in the Wilson County area.

Regional Intervention Program (RIP)
Franklin • 849-5236
Gallatin • 451-9618
Murfreesboro • 890-4622
Nashville • 963-1177
www.ripnetwork.org
Program for families with preschoolers who are having difficulties in behavior and/or development. Also offers parenting classes.

Susan Gray School for Children
Peabody College at Vanderbilt University
230 Appleton Place, Nashville
322-8200 • www.peabody.vanderbilt.edu/x441.xml
A nationally recognized school for children with developmental delays or who are at risk. The year round early intervention and inclusive preschool programs serve ages birth - 5 years with and without developmental disabilities.

Tennessee Disability Coalition
955 Woodland St., Nashville
383-9442 • www.tndisability.org
An alliance promoting full and equal participation of all persons with disabilities. Also offers Project BRAIN, a resource for families, educators and healthcare professionals who work with children with brain injuries.

Tennessee Disability Pathfinder
800-640-4636 • www.familypathfinder.org
Statewide bilingual helpline providing information and referral for all ages and disabilities.

Tennessee's Early Intervention System (TEIS)
800-852-7157 • www.tn.gov/education/teis
A voluntary educational program for families with children ages birth through 2 years of age with disabilities or developmental delays.

Tennessee Traumatic Brain Injury Program
Cordell Hull Bldg., Fifth Floor
425 Fifth Ave. N., Nashville
741-1230 or 800-882-0611
http://health.state.tn.us/tbi/index.htm
Support, information, referral, community education and a year-round camp for anyone who has sustained a traumatic brain injury.

Tennessee School for the Blind
115 Stewarts Ferry Pike, Nashville
231-7300 • www.tnschoolfortheblind.org
A state-run K - 12 school for the blind and visually impaired.

United Cerebral Palsy of Middle Tennessee
242-4091 • www.ucpnashville.org
Helps to advance the independence and productivity of people with all types of disabilities and provides support to caregivers.

Vanderbilt Bill Wilkerson Center
Medical Center East — South Tower
1215 21st Ave. S., Sixth Floor, Nashville
936-5000 • www.vanderbiltbillwilkersoncenter.com
An otolaryngology, hearing and speech science center offering services to all ages who have hearing, speech, language and cognitive disorders.

VSA Arts Tennessee
826-5252 • www.vsaartstennessee.org
Enriching the lives of people with disabilities through the arts. Offers camps, awards programs, exhibitions, training and resources.

WAVES
794-7955 • www.wavesinc.com
A United Way early intervention program for children from birth to age 3 with developmental delays in Williamson County.

recreation

Ables Recreation Association
220-9161 • www.ablesinc.org
Recreation, sports and field trips for ages 4 and older with special needs.

ABLE Youth
973-5372 • www.ableyouth.org
Focusing on independence in all activities of daily living through the introduction of wheelchair sports and recreation. Provides services for children ages 3 through high school age who either use a wheelchair daily or need one to compete in recreational and competitive sports.

Angel Heart Farms
566-4976 • www.angelheartfarm.net
Therapeutic riding for children enduring chronic illnesses.

Bill Rice Ranch
627 Bill Rice Ranch Road, Murfreesboro
1-800-253-RICE • www.billriceranch.org
Provides camp sessions for hearing impaired or deaf persons of all ages, weekend retreats and community education, including sign language classes.

Buddy Ball Special Needs Athletic League
931-647-6333 • www.buddyball.net
A non-profit organization offering sports services to ages 3 and older with special needs regardless of limitation.

Buddy Break
Hendersonville • 537-2508
Mt. Juliet • 758-7779
Monthly respite program for special needs families.

Caden's Kickin' Buddies, Inc.
893-4567 • www.cadenskickinbuddies.com
A no-cost organization allowing children and adults with special needs to participate in martial arts with the assistance of therapy.

Challenged Athletes Playing Equally (CAPE)
238-7372 • www.capetn.org
A non-profit organization that provides non-competitive sports and activities for children of special needs to increase social skills and improve self-esteem.

Days Journey Respite Care • 223-1020
A Smyrna respite center that provides enrichment through music, art, drama, dance and more for kids with special needs.

Full Circle Therapy
545-4271• www.fullcircletherapy.org
Provides hippotherapy (physical therapy on horseback) as well as suit therapy for ages 2 to adult with severe physical and sensory disabilities.

My Gym
330 Franklin Road, Brentwood
371-5437 • www.my-gym.com/brentwood
Weekly gymnastics program for special needs children ages 8 and older.

Saddle Up!
794-1150 • www.saddleupnashville.org
Recreational therapeutic horseback riding program for children ages 4 - 18 with disabilities.

Southern STARRS
453-2592 • www.southernstarrs.org
A therapeutic horseback riding organization in Lebanon.

Special Olympics of Tennessee
329-1375 • www.specialolympicstn.org
Sports training and competition for athletes with intellectual disabilities.

Yoga for the Special Child
828-1274 • www.specialyoga.com
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Offers private yoga therapy with Kristen Bendheim, a certified yoga instructor, for families with children ages birth through the teen years with disabilities or developmental delays. Therapy is designed around each child's individual needs.

support

Faces of Hope Children's Therapy Center
206-1176 • www.facesofhopetn.com
A not-for-profit organization for children and families with autism and other special needs.

Family Voices of Tennessee
888-643-7811 • www.tndisability.org/familyvoices
A family-centered agency that helps children with special needs and their families.

Sensory Connect
www.sensoryconnect.com
Parents of children with ADD/ADHD, autism and learning disabilities can connect with other parents and professionals in health, education and behavior management.

Special Kids
890-1003 • www.specialkidstn.com
Non-profit, Christian agency providing day nursing and outpatient rehabilitation for children with special needs.

STEP, Inc. (Support & Training for Exceptional Parents)
800-280-7837 • www.tnstep.org
Spanish line • 800-975-2919
Provides training about special education rights to families of children with disabilities in TN.

Tennessee Voices for Children
269-7751 • www.tnvoices.org
Support and info for families whose children have behavioral or emotional problems.

Special Needs Resources (a special advertising listing)

Beacon Literacy
5016 Twin Lakes Drive, Old Hickory
847-0371 • www.beaconliteracy.com
Individualized reading lessons for ages 6 to adult. We help with every type of literacy problem and assist students with dyslexia, autism, speech/language difficulties, developmental delays and more.

CareAll
(888) 401-CARE • www.homehealthcareTN.com
CareAll offers Special Care for Special Kids. We have a fully licensed, screened staff of RNs, LPNs, CNAs and Medical Social Workers. We offer one on one care, ventilator care, wound care, tube feedings and more. We provide the best quality in-home care available.

Dyslexia Centers of Tennessee
221-3941 • www.dyslexiacentershelp.com
Child and adult testing for dyslexia and one-on-one or two-on-one training with therapy designed to retrain the brain to work with each child's individual needs to improve reading levels.

Expressways To Learning – TN
Franklin, Goodlettsville, Hendersonville
851-9703 • www.ExpresswaysToLearningTN.com
Teaches and addresses the needs of dyslexia, autism, ADD/ADHD and gifted students. Specializes in "Learning Differences."

Feltz Therapy Services, LLC
301 Wolverine Trail, Ste. 201, Smyrna
220-5796 • www.feltztherapy.com
Provides quality comprehensive pediatric occupational, physical and speech therapy through certified therapists.

Franklin Speech & Learning Center
2117 Hillsboro Road, Franklin • 591-3244
– and –
South Nashville Speech & Learning Center
4731 Trousdale Drive, Ste. 12, Nashville
832-8955 • www.helenduhon.com
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Our centers offer speech/language/cognitive, occupational and physical therapies ... in a little house with a comfortable living room feel. We are experienced, and we care.

LearningRx
4920 Thoroughbred Lane
Brentwood • 507-1618
– and –
2615 Medical Center Pkwy., Ste. 1584
Murfreesboro • 867-8717
www.learningrx.com
LearningRx provides cognitive skills training that empowers every child to learn faster and easier. LearningRx identifies and strengthens the skills behind HOW students learn. We offer assessments and life-changing training for students of all ages who want better listening, reading and processing skills.

Sylvan Learning
893-3564 • www.SylvanLearning.com
Sylvan offers a choice of tutoring programs that is personalized to the academic needs of your child as well as your household schedule and budget.

Task Whiz Tutoring
656-3532 • www.TaskWhizTutoring.com
Affordable in-home tutoring for children, grades K - 12, all subjects. Rates start at $20 per hour for one-on-one, personalized instruction. Sunday - Thursday, 9 a.m. - 9 p.m.

Tutor Doctor
308-2035 • www.tutordoctornashville.com
Students challenged with learning disabilities can improve their educational learning with elementary and middle school tutoring assistance.

vanderbilt kennedy center

The Vanderbilt Kennedy Center (VKC) facilitates discoveries and best practices that make positive differences in the lives of children with developmental disabilities and their families. Programs include Tennessee Disability Pathfinder, StudyFinder and Research Family Partners, Vanderbilt Autism Resource Line and Family Outreach Center. For information, call 322-8240 or visit http://kc.vanderbilt.edu.