Special Needs Directory
Professionals from a variety of disciplines provide expert care, assessment, therapy and parent education to families of children of all ages with special needs. In addition, parents offer the wisdom of their experience through programs and organizations that offer peer support and advocacy. This directory provides excellent and abundant information to help parents make the best decisions for their child’s care, education and development.
See a list of camps and activities.
Children with Disabilities & Special Needs
-
ADOPTION & FOSTER CARE
Three Rivers Adoption Council
866-621-8722 | 412-471-8722
tracpgh.comADULT DAY CARE
Prime Time Adult Care
412-835-6661
primetimeadultcare.comAUTISM
accessAbilities First Steps Early Intervention Services
724-832-8272 x1051
accessabilities.orgAutism Connection of Pennsylvania
412-995-5000
autismofpa.orgHighlands Hospital Regional Center for Autism
724-603-3360
highlandshospital.org/services/autism-centerPace School
412-244-1900
paceschool.orgPathways
724-229-0851
yourpathways.orgResearch Programs for Adults, Children and Teens
ASD research studies
412-246-5485 or 1-866-647-3436
autismrecruiter@pitt.edu.University of Pittsburgh REAACT Program (Regulation of Emotion in ASD Adults, Children and Teens)
1-866-647-3436
reaact.pitt.edu -
BEHAVIOR SUPPORT
Community Living Care
724-836-8747
communitylivingcare.comPace School
412-244-1900
paceschool.orgBLINDNESS/VISION LOSS
Western PA School for Blind Children
1-800-444-1897
wpsbc.org -
CAMPS & RECREATION
Camp Laugh-A-Lot
724-745-3010
archumanservices.org/camp-laughalot -
DAY CARE/DAY PROGRAMS
Children's Home & Lemieux Family Center
412-441-4884
childrenshomepgh.orgChilds Way
412-441-4884
childrenshomepgh.orgCommunity Living Care
724-836-8747
communitylivingcare.comDENTISTRY
Pitt School of Dental Medicine
412-648-3039DEVELOPMENT & EARLY DEVELOPMENT
accessAbilities First Steps Early Intervention Services
724-832-8272 x1051
accessabilities.orgAchieva
1-888-272-7229
achieva.infoChildren’s Therapy Center of Washington Health System
whs.org/ctcPace School
412-244-1900
paceschool.orgPathways
724-229-0851
yourpathways.orgThe Alliance for Infants and Toddlers
412-885-6000
afit.org -
EXTENDED SCHOOL YEAR PROGRAMS
Pace School
412-244-1900
paceschool.org -
FOOD INSECURITY
Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank
pittsburghfoodbank.org -
HOME HEALTHCARE
Next Evolution Healthcare
724-201-1487
nextevolutionhealthcare.com -
LIVING WITH A DISABILITY
Achieva Family Trust
achievafamilytrust.org -
PEDIATRIC SPECIALTY HOSPITAL
Children's Home & Lemieux Family Center
412-441-4884
childrenshomepgh.org -
RECREATION & SOCIALIZATION
Camp Laugh-A-Lot
724-624-7472
mccloskey.amanda@archumanservices.orgDis+Abilities Connection - Networking events for adults with disabilities
724-219-3290The 24-Hour Friendship Line
800-971-0016
ioaging.orgTRPIL (Transitional Paths to Independent Living)
724-223-5115 | TTY: 724-228-4028
Toll-Free: 1-877-889-0965
trpil.comWilfred R. Cameron Wellness Center Summer Camp Woodlands
724-935-5470 -
SCHOOLS
Pace School
412-244-1900
paceschool.org
Adults with Disabilities
-
ACESS PRODUCTS
Voices for Independence
724-223-5115 | TTY: 724-228-4028
Toll-Free: 1-866-407-0064
vficil.orgADULT DAY PROGRAMS
PACC (Pa Connecting Community)
412-621-6151ADVOCACY
ARC Human Services
724-222-6960
aadvantageinc.orgThe Arc of Washington County
724-470-9327
mccrerey.darrilyn@archumanservices.orgTRPIL (Transitional Paths to Independent Living)
724-223-5115 | TTY: 724-228-4028
Toll-Free: 1-877-889-0965
trpil.com -
DISABILITY RESOURCES
Community Living Care
724-836-8747
communitylivingcare.comLifesteps
724-283-1010
lifesteps.netPathways
724-229-0851
yourpathways.orgStep By Step, Inc.
570-829-3477 ext. 7416
StepByStepUSA.comThe Woodlands
724-935-6533
mywoodlands.orgTRPIL (Transitional Paths to Independent Living)
724-223-5115 | TTY: 724-228-4028
Toll-Free: 1-877-889-0965
trpil.comUPMC Disability Resource Center
Forbes Tower
412-605-1483Voices for Independence
724-223-5115 | TTY: 724-228-4028
Toll-Free: 1-866-407-0064
vficil.org -
EDUCATION – COLLEGE-BOUND
ACCLAIM – Watson Institute
412-914-8800AHEADD – Achievement in Higher Education with Autism & Devel Disability
412-856-7223EMPLOYMENT/JOB TRAINING
Achieva/ARC Bidwell Training Center
412-322-1773Goodwill Job Training
412-632-1706Life’s Work
412-471-2600CLASS
412-683-7100Mainstay Life Services
412-477-7785
mainstaylifeservices.orgPACC
412-621-6151Pathways
724-229-0851
yourpathways.orgProject Freedom (technology skills training)
412-246-4434TRPIL (Transitional Paths to Independent Living)
724-223-5115 | TTY: 724-228-4028
Toll-Free: 1-877-889-0965
trpil.com -
GENERAL RESOURCES
ADA Phone Line
800-514-0301Allegheny County Family Resource Guide
412-350-7079Allegheny County Department of Human Services Office of Intellectual Disability (OID)
412-236-2750Area Agencies on Aging – Allegheny County
412-350-4234
alleghenycounty.us/dhs/olderadults.aspx• Multicultural Disability Leadership Center
PA Health Law Project
phlp.orgPA Statewide Information and Referral Resources for Persons with Disabilities
PA 211 or 1-888-553-5778 or 211Pennsylvania Link to Aging and Disability Resources
1-800-753-8827Pennsylvania Polio Survivors Network
215-858-4643 or 724-283-5814
papolionetwork.orgSouthwestern Pennsylvania Partnership for Aging Washington County
724-489-8080
swpa-aaa.orgUPMC Disability Resource Center- Forbes Tower
412-605-1483 -
HUMAN SERVICES & DISABILITIES
Mainstay Life Services
412-477-7785
mainstaylifeservices.org -
INDEPENDENT LIVING
Disability Options Network (Center for Independent Living)
1-866-652-5121CLASS – Community Living & Support Services
412-683-7100Transitional Paths to Independent Living
724-223-5115PACC
412-621-6151Pathways
724-229-0851
yourpathways.orgIN-HOME & COMMUNITY SUPPORT
accessAbilities
724-832-8272
accessabilities.orgLive-in Disability Solutions
412-704-5162
liveindisabilitysolutions.orgMainstay Life Services
412-477-7785
mainstaylifeservices.orgPathways
724-229-0851
yourpathways.orgTRPIL (Transitional Paths to Independent Living)
724-223-5115 | TTY: 724-228-4028
Toll-Free: 1-877-889-0965
www.trpil.comVoices for Independence
724-223-5115
TTY: 724-228-4028
Toll-Free: 1-866-407-0064
vficil.org -
-
RESIDENTIAL SERVICES
ARC Human Services
archumanservices.orgCommunity Living Care
724-836-8747
communitylivingcare.comPathways
724-229-0851
yourpathways.org -
SPECIAL NEEDS DENTISTRY
Pitt School of Dental Medicine
412-648-3039Accessible Dentists
724-775-0448East Liberty Family Health Center
412-661-2802 -
TRANSITION TO ADULT HEALTH CARE
Children’s Hospital Advisory Network for Guidance and Empowerment
412-647-2345PA Department of Health Transition Health Care Checklist
724-830-2701TRPIL (Transitional Paths to Independent Living)
724-223-5115 | TTY: 724-228-4028
Toll-Free: 1-877-889-0965
trpil.comTRANSPORTATION
ACCESS Shared Ride Service
412-562-5353Community Living Care
724-836-8747
communitylivingcare.comMATP
888-547-6287Travel Training - Allegheny Intermediate Unit 3
412-394-5700 -
WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE VEHICLES
Drivers Education – Special Needs
866-672-9466Port Authority of Allegheny County
412-442-2000Wheelchair Getaways (van rental)
800-642-2042
CAMPS & ACTIVITIES
Blind & Vision Rehabilitation Services Summer Camp for Teens
Blind & Vision Rehabilitation Services of Pittsburgh's Summer Youth Program is for students who are blind, deaf blind or visually impaired. This five-week summer Career and Community Adjustment Program helps students ages 16 through 21 transition smoothly into work and adult life. For information, call 412-368-4400 ext. 2246.
Camp Can Do
This special summer camp program sponsored by the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Division of the American Cancer Society provides children with cancer the opportunity to enjoy a traditional summer camp experience. Any child (age eight to 17) who is or has been treated for cancer in Pennsylvania or Delaware, or who lives in Pennsylvania regardless of where they receive treatment, is eligible to attend Camp Can-Do. Two week-long sessions are held each August at beautiful Mt. Gretna in Lebanon County. Camp-Can-Do is provided free of charge to cancer patients. For more information, call 717-273-6525.
Camp Discovery
The Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf is proud to offer a camp experience for Deaf and Hard of Hearing children, between the ages of 7 to 17. WPSD's Camp Discovery offers campers an exciting week of activities and events that will be sure to create life-long memories and friendships. Their are a limited number of slots so be sure to sign up early. Please visit psd.org for more information and to register online.
Camp Frog
At YMCA Camp Fitch, North Springfield, PA (near Erie), Camp Frog is a fully integrated week-long overnight camp for children ages 8-17 (having completed 3rd grade but not yet graduated high school) with a primary diagnosis of epilepsy. Camp Frog staff includes a neurologist, nurse, and specially trained counselors. Please call for more information and eligibility requirements 1-800-361-5885.
Camp Huff-n-Puff
Camp Huff-n-Puff is a four-day overnight camp adventure for children aged 8-13 with asthma. Camp is held each August at the Jumonville Camp and Conference center in Hopwood, PA. A dedicated group of volunteer physicians, nurses, and respiratory therapists work alongside camp counselors to ensure that all campers have a safe and fun experience. To register, visit healthylungs.org or call (800) 220-1990.
Camp Laugh-A-Lot
Camp Laugh-A-Lot, a popular inclusive day camp for children and adults with developmental, intellectual and physical disabilities, and mental illness, is offered by Arc Human Services. The camp takes place twice each year; there is a seven-week summer camp plus a one-week winter camp, during school break between Christmas and New Year’s Day. Participants must be at least five years old, and there is no upper age limit. Camp Laugh-A-Lot is in its nineteenth year of operation and is attended by 60 or 70 participants, with a staff of 25. The camp takes place at the Vernon C. Neal Sportsplex, an indoor recreation center in Washington PA, Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 2:30 pm. The 2021 summer camp begins June 18 and ends on August 3, with an agency-wide carnival which the public can attend. Amanda McCloskey, Activities Coordinator for Arc Human Services, manages Camp Laugh-A-Lot, which consists of a wide variety of structured, supervised activities: arts and crafts, music, games, swimming, dances, parties and field trips. The registration fee is $100 per week, which covers all activities, the swimming pool, and outings plus lunch. Financial assistance available. To register for Camp Laugh-A-Lot, go to archumanservices.org/camp-laughalot. To contact Amanda McCloskey, call 724-624-74725, or email mccloskey.amanda@archumanservices.org.
Chatterbox Express Basic Social Skills Training
Chatterbox Express is a program to help preschoolers through teenagers (ages 6 to 14) build confidence and express themselves effectively when interacting with others. The program is offered by the Department of Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC. Sessions are held at the Center for Independence in Wexford and at Children's South Communications Disorders in Bethel Park and is open to all children who may be experiencing difficulties with social communication, regardless of diagnosis. More information is available at (412) 692-5580 or chp.edu
Summer Therapeutic Activity Program (STAP)
New Story operates therapeutic programs during the summer months throughout Pennsylvania. Our Summer Therapeutic Activity Programs (STAPs) are designed to meet the needs of children with the most serious and/or complex behavioral challenges. New Story provides a day program offering recreational and social activities within a therapeutic environment to support each child’s continued growth and development.