Oakland County and Metro Detroit, Michigan events and activities for Children and Adults with special needs

Upcoming Oakland County and Metro Detroit, Michigan events and activities for children and adults with special needs. The following list contains events and informational resources related to disabilities and special education. This list is for informational purposes and the events are not necessarily endorsed by Oakland County Moms.

March 16th, 6:30pm – 9:00pm
DSG Teen Time St. Patrick's Dance
Where: Cross of Christ Lutheran (Church 1100 Lone Pine Road Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302)
Details: Down Syndrome Guild of SE Michigan is holding a St. Patrick's Day Dance. Music, food, snacks and more are included. Call 248-237-6154 for details.

March 19th 6-9 pm, April 16th 6-9 pm, May 21st 6-9p, June 18th 6-9p
OU After Hours Adult Social
Where: Bumpers Game Room, Oakland Center
Oakland University "After Hours," offered through OUCARES and funded by ASOC, is a support group for those 18 years and over with Asperger's, HFA or PDD/NOS. Come for pizza, conversation, cards, billiards, and fun! Meet in the common area on the lower level of the Oakland Center near the game room.

March 21th, 2012 6 - 7:30 pm
Appreciation Evening
Where: Stoney Creek High School (575 E. Tienken Road, Rochester Hills, MI 48306)
Details: The Sparkle Award Program is a way of recognizing the distinguished service of people within the Rochester Community School district whose support of students with special needs is
exemplary. The program is sponsored and coordinated by the Special Education Parent Advisory Committee. Everyone that has been nominated will be recognized on that night with special recognition going to one nominee in each award category. Awards will be presented at the 19th annual Special Education Appreciation Evening on Wednesday March 21, 2012 7:00 pm in the Stoney Creek High School Auditorium. It is a great way to see what is happening in the district, the program is short and entertaining, great food, and a fabulous video of our students. Refreshments will be served at a reception following the ceremony.

March 26th 7 pm, April 30th 7p, May 21st 7p,
Meet & Eat
Where: Dessert Oasis, Reading Room, 205 Main Street, Rochester, MI
248-453-5239
The PAC is hosting a Meet & Eat open to ALL parents/guardians of children in special education. This evening is a social opportunity to connect, converse and commiserate with other parents. Please RSVP. Contact: Michele Brabant, RCS District PAC Chair, 248-375-0584

March 31st from noon-4p
OUCARES Family Fun Day
Where: Oakland University Recreation Center (The O'Rena)
Event Details: Family Fun Day is a free event for children and adults with autism and their caregivers. Family Fun Day features activities, moonwalks, a sensory room, art, games, swimming and fun for the entire family. Click here for more info.

March 31st 5:30- 7:30 pm, May 31st 5:30-7:30p
Sensory Jump Night
Where: Shelby Pump It Up (15117 Commercial Drive, Shelby Township, MI 48315) (586) 416-4386
Cost: $8.00/child- $6.00/sibling RSVP requested.
Exclusively for families with special needs children. A fun place where kids can be themselves! Parents can participate and network with other families. Special guests share information
activities and therapy available. Refreshments provided. To RSVP, contact Pump it Up directly at 586-416-4386.

April 7th (Pirates! Band of Misfits), May 5th (Pirates! Band of Misfits), June 2nd (Madagascar 3)
Sensory Friendly Films
Where: Select AMC Theatres in Metro Detroit.
Event Details: AMC Theatres has teamed up with the Autism Society of America to host sensory friendly films at Metro Detroit area AMC Theatres. Sensory friendly films feature lowered sound, dim lighting and patrons can bring their own snacks. Children on the autism spectrum are encouraged to move about the aisles during the movie in an environment free from judgment. Cost for the sensory friendly film showings range from $4-$6. Click here for more info.

Mondays, April 9th through May 21st
OUCARES (Oakland University Center for Autism Research) Beginner Golf League for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders (Kids ages 8 and up, 10-13 and ages 14+)
Where: OU Golf Bubble
Details: SNAG® stands for “Starting New at Golf”. SNAG® contains all the elements of golf but in a modified form. Falling somewhere between miniature golf and regulation golf, SNAG® allows for full shots, pitching, chipping and putting. The SNAG ® ball is slightly smaller than a tennis ball and covered with loop material and has a limited distance. This program is appropriate for individuals with the diagnosis of Asperger’s, High Functioning Autism or PDD/NOS. Cost is $70. Click here for registration info.

Tuesdays, April 10th through May 15th
OUCARES (Oakland University Center for Autism Research) Painting for Fun for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ages 12-17)
Where: Oakland University Pawley Hall Room 190
Details: Participants will have fun while learning a variety of skills as they explore various painting techniques using watercolor and tempera paints.  They will gain confidence as artists as they master color mixing, brushstrokes, and texture, while also working on fine motor development, direction following, socialization and creative thinking. Cost is $70. Click here for registration info.

April 13th, 6:30pm – 9:00pm
DSG Teen Time Dance
Where: Cross of Christ Lutheran (Church 1100 Lone Pine Road Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302)
Details: Down Syndrome Guild of SE Michigan is holding a Teen Time Dance. Music, food, snacks and more are included. Call 248-237-6154 for details and RSVP.

Fridays, April 13th through June 15th
OUCARES (Oakland University Center for Autism Research) Basketball League for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders (Kids ages 6-9, 10-13 and ages 14+)
Where: Oakland University Rec Center Gym
Details: Instructed by a psychologist, participants will learn basic basketball skills such as dribbling, shooting and team skills. Mastering these skills will involve listening, direction following and interacting with teammates. Click here for registration info.

Tuesdays, April 17th through May 22nd
OUCARES (Oakland University Center for Autism Research) Intro to Photography for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders (adults ages 19 and up)
Where: Oakland University Pawley Hall room 162.
Details: Instructed by a local photographer, this course will teach the fundamental skills of digital photography through both lecture and interactive methods.  Participants may use their own digital camera if they have one or will be provided one for use.  This program is appropriate for individuals with the diagnosis of Asperger's, High Functioning Autism or PDD/NOS. Cost is $120. Click here for registration info.

May 11th, 6:30pm – 9:00pm
DSG Teen Time Dance
Where: Cross of Christ Lutheran (Church 1100 Lone Pine Road Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302)
Details: Down Syndrome Guild of SE Michigan is holding a Teen Time Dance. Music, food, snacks and more are included. Call 248-237-6154 for details and RSVP.

April 14th-June 16th
Autism Spectrum Bowling League
Where: Classic Lanes of Rochester Hills
Event Details: Classic Lanes and OUCARES (Oakland University Center for Autism Research) have teamed up to form a bowling league for individuals on the autism spectrum. The cost for bowling league is $45 and there is a 3:1 ratio of caregivers to bowlers. Click here for more info.

6 week season begins June 2nd, 2012. Registration ends April 27th.
Buddy Baseball Special Needs Baseball League
Where: Clintonwood Park (6000 Clarkston Road, Clarkson, MI 48346) 
Event Details: Buddy Baseball is hosted by Independence Township Parks and Recreation and is open to residents and non-residents of the Independence Township area. Buddy Baseball is designed for boys and girls ages 7-13 with special needs. Click here for more info on the Buddy Baseball League for children with special needs or call 248-625-8223.

May 7th 11:30a-12:30p
Paint a Miracle Luncheon
Where: Royal Park Hotel (600 East University Drive, Rochester, MI)
Details: This art studio is a non-profit organization that provides professional quality art experiences for adults and children with special needs. Most of their clients are adults who have a developmental disability or a disabling condition. Everyone leaves this luncheon smiling with amazement on how Paint A Miracle promotes the talents and emotional well being of these adults with special needs. This is an event where everyone in the room feels proud of either themselves or the person they came to support.

A portion of events listed on this page are from the Parent Advisory Committee (via Rochester Community Schools) calendar.

If you know of an event or activity in the Oakland County or SE Michigan area that would benefit adults or children with special needs, you can submit the item for consideration for this page by contacting lisa@oaklandcountymoms. I try to post events for adults and children with special needs that are free or low-cost.

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