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When you find out that your child has learning or social differences, there can be grief and fear. And as your child ages, that grief and fear doesn’t go away. Parents find themselves wondering:

  • What happens when my child graduates from high school?

  • Where will my child live when they can no longer live with me?

  • Who will care for my child when I’m gone?

  • Will my child be able to work as an adult?

These are big, scary questions. Schools have transition programs and resources, but ultimately the school system stops serving students when they graduate. And there are major gaps in government services, especially in Texas. All of this paints a pretty bleak picture, but here’s the good news: there are LOTS of organizations out there working to provide safe and meaningful lives for adults with special needs. It’s not easy, but with help you can start planning a hopeful future for your child.

(There are many sports, arts and social opportunities for adults included in our newsletter, and in the categories at the bottom of our Family Resources page.

 

AFTER-SCHOOL AND DAY PROGRAMS

Ability Connection in Irving

  • Individualized Skills and Socialization program

  • Programs include a full schedule of training, education, community activities, recreation, music, art, exercise, and volunteer opportunities throughout the week.

  • Monday-Friday from 7:30-4:30

Connecting Point of Park Cities in Dallas

  • Ages 16 and older

  • Works to enhance the lives of adults with special needs by providing their Teammates with engaging and stimulating activities such as art, music, visiting museums, vocational opportunities, and experiencing the feeling of community.

  • Monday-Friday from 9:00-2:30 with extended hours available

Caring Pathways in Carrollton

  • Adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities

  • Integrated program for underserved adults with developmental disabilities. They promote skills of self-determination, independence, and social interaction through real-life application of basic skills and regular outings and participation in local events.

  • Monday-Friday from 7:30-3:30

City of Irving Therapeutic Day Program

  • Irving residents ages 18 and older

  • The program was created for adults who require moderate staff assistance and instruction with leisure activities and physical fitness. Daily activities teach social and recreational skills and provide learning opportunities which promote a healthy independent lifestyle.

  • Most of the year from 9am-2pm

Clubhouse for Special Needs in Bedford

  • Ages 13-22ish

  • Mission is to provide a safe and fun place for teens and young adults with mild to moderate, intellectual/physical challenges. Provides an opportunity for education, socialization, and independence in a recreational atmosphere.

  • After school: 3:30-6:30, Day Program (including school breaks): 7:30am-6:30pm, Drop-off available

29:11 by Altruistic in Plano

  • Ages 16 & up

  • Day program that offers life skills, vocational skills, community skills, and recreational and educational time.

  • Monday-Friday, 8:30-2:30 with aftercare from 2:30-5:00.

Champions in Southlake

  • Ages 18 and up (Champion Services must be their HCS provider)

  • Offers day programming for individuals to receive the supports necessary to actively participate throughout the fabric of the community and realize their unique passions and skills.

  • 9am-4pm Monday through Friday, closed on major holidays.

Special Abilities in Lewisville/Flower Mound

  • Contact for ages served

  • Day program focuses on 5 pillars: Community Inclusion and Social Development, Home and Independent Living Skills, Pre-vocational and Vocational Training, Creative Arts, and Health and Fitness.

  • Monday-Friday, contact for times

Our Hearts in Lewisville

  • Contact for ages served

  • Day habilitation program for individuals with special needs

  • Monday-Friday from 8am-4:30pm

H.E.R.O.E.S in Richardson

  • Ages: those who have completed secondary education and are transitioning to adulthood.

  • Devoted to helping young adults realize their potential and gain confidence in their independence. Teaches life skills, job skills, helps students find work, and helps them become independent, contributing members of society.

  • Full-time program

Behavior Network in McKinney

  • ABA center that specializes in teens and adults with severe behavioral needs through their Crisis Center

  • also provides ABA services for school-aged children and teens

My Possibilities in Plano

  • Adults with cognitive disabilities

  • Designed to provide people with cognitive disabilities the chance to continue their education. We provide vocational skills, socialization opportunities, trade skills, and independent living skills to HIPsters (Highly Important People) that give them the chance to live the life they deserve.

  • Full-day, full-year program with a Campus for Higher Learning in development

Open Horizons in McKinney

  • Adults

  • Enriching the lives of special needs adults through life skills and social activities in the outdoors, the community and the home environment. Located on five acres where the consumers can have unconfined space to be outdoors.

  • Monday-Friday 7:30am-5:30pm, main program 9-3

IMPACT program in Dallas

  • Ages 16 & up

  • Goal-driven day program and training center for adults with disabilities. Provides individuals the opportunity to attain personal goals through life skills, education, personal growth, training, recreation and leisure activities, community inclusion, and socialization.

  • Monday-Friday from 7:30am-4:30pm

Achievement Center of Texas in Garland

  • Ages 13 & up

  • Goal-driven day habilitation program; Students move from one classroom to another to train in the various skills provided by the teachers. Includes life-skill training lab.

  • Monday-Friday from 8:30am-2:30pm

Come Read with Me in Euless

  • Adults

  • Life-long learning and therapeutic center offering academic and interest-based courses.

  • Monday-Thursday from 10:00am-3:00 pm (part-time options available)

Green Oaks Adult Learning in Arlington

  • Adults

  • A module-based program with an emphasis on academics, social skills, vocational training and additional life skills.

  • Monday-Friday from 7:45am-5:30pm (part-time options available)

Stepping Stone at FUMC Mansfield

  • Adults

  • A community life group for adults with disabilities. Guest speakers, music activities, cooking lessons, yoga, art activities and birthday celebrations and more.

  • First and third Friday from 9-12

Innovative Pathways in Bedford

  • Ages 18+

  • Life Skills Workshops and Job Coaching

  • Workshops are Fridays from 12-5

No Labels LLC in McKinney

  • All ages

  • Center-based homeschooling, tutoring, and adult day camp

Think College website

  • Focused on helping students with intellectual disabilities find inclusive higher education

  • Search for college programs across the country

  • Trainings and other resources available

Emma’s Education Center in Garland

  • Open to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities of any age and any learning level

  • Combines life skills with academics

Everyone’s Day Hab in Allen

  • 9:00-3:00 Mon-Fri

Cornerstone Ranch in McKinney

  • Residential program that also provides day programming to residents and non-residents

  • Built on 6 pillars: serving, developing life skills, healthy living, learning, working, having fun

Coventry Reserve in St. Paul (11 miles east of Plano near Wylie)

  • Small group model

  • Designed to promote life enrichment and personal development

Evergreen Life Services in Dallas/Garland

  • Variety of activities to meet the social, emotional and educational needs of individuals with disabilities

  • Includes vocational training

All My Friends LLC

  • Not a day program, but provides coaching and companion services to adults with IDD/Autism

  • Both individual and group services available

HOUSING

Group homes, supported housing & other resources

Planning for Person-Centered Independent Living guide

EMPLOYMENT

Texas Workforce Solutions - Vocational Rehab services

  • Needs assessments

  • Referrals to community support systems

  • Vocational counseling and guidance

  • Assistive devices and technology

Evergreen Life Services

  • Supportive employment

  • Group and individual placements

  • Vocational training

Best Buddies Jobs Program

  • Job Skills Training

  • Job Placement & Supported Employment

  • Contracted with TWC, HCS, and Ticket to Work

TRANSPORTATION

DART Para-transit

  • Curb-to-curb service

  • Travel training and orientation

  • Reduced fares for individuals with disabilities

Span Transit - Denton County door-to-door service