August Lake County Special Needs Calendar

The Lake County Special Needs Calendar is sponsored by Pediatric Interactions and Therapeutic Links offering services together and individually in Speech, Occupational and developmental therapies in Lake and McHenry Counties.

Children with special needs and their families don’t have to miss out on childhood fun. Many of our local facilities offer special events, nights, hours and more in a way that makes them easier for children with special needs to manage.  We’ve rounded them up in this month’s Special Needs Calendar. Unless otherwise stated, all events require preregistration. See the event listings for more information and to register.

August Events for Children with Special Needs

Weekly Events for Children with Special Needs

Links provided are for the first event in the series.

Friday Night Dance Party
Every Friday, 6:30 p.m.
Denise Sabala Dance Studios, 560 W. Main St., Lake Zurich
This 45-minute class is catered to special needs students. Explore your body’s space around you through rhythm, music, socialization, and dancing.

Open Play
Every Friday, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
GiGi’s Playhouse, 5404 W. Elm St., McHenry
Families and their friends are invited to the playhouse for playtime. Open play helps promote positive beginnings for new families with a child with Down syndrome, creates awareness opportunities for peers and friends, and provides support and networking for families. Come ready for fun and a crazy good time! Open to families with children of all ages and their friends.

LMNOP (0-3)
Fridays, 10:00 -11:00 a.m.
GiGi’s Playhouse at Bannockburn Green, 2511 Waukegan Rd., Bannockburn
Language, Music N’ Our Peeps (LMNOP) guides parents and infants through learning basic sign language and through incorporating music and dance therapy into daily activities, to stimulate the child. 

Special Events for Children with Special Needs

Sensory Hour
2 August 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Raupp Museum, 901 Durham Lane, Buffalo Grove, Il 60089
The Raupp Museum will be open with special activities suited to children with sensory processing issues, autism spectrum disorders, or who are differentlyabled. History is for everyone; and, our staff will be on hand to help children engage with the exhibits in a supportive environment.

Northbrook Days – Special Needs Morning *registration required*
3 August 9:30 – 11:00 a.m.
Northbrook Court Lot, Northbrook
Join NSSRA at Northbrook Days Festival this summer! Enjoy carnival rides, games, music and more! This event is free for the whole family! Open to Northbrook residents with disabilities and individuals with disabilities served by NSSRA and their immediate family or caregiver living in the same household.

LMNOP (0-3)
3, 17 & 31 August, 10:00 -11:00 a.m.
GiGi’s Playhouse at Bannockburn Green, 2511 Waukegan Rd., Bannockburn
Language, Music N’ Our Peeps (LMNOP) guides parents and infants through learning basic sign language and through incorporating music and dance therapy into daily activities, to stimulate the child. 

Sensory Sensitive Sundays
4 August, 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Chuck E Cheese, 700 N. Milwaukee Ave., Vernon Hills
Enjoy games and food with reduced lighting and noise. Staff is trained and caring about autism and other special needs.

Open Play
5 August, 9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
GiGi’s Playhouse at Bannockburn Green, 2511 Waukegan Rd., Bannockburn
Hosted by the Youth Board, Open Play is the perfect opportunity to visit with other families and enjoy the playhouse in a fun, friendly, casual setting.

Special Needs Family Night
6 August 4:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Rockin’ Jump, 950 Busch Parkway, Buffalo Grove
$10 for the first child, $5 each additional, 1 parent jumps free.
Sensory Friendly Environment for our special guests!

Destination Discovery
7 & 21 August, 4:30 -5:30 p.m.
GiGi’s Playhouse at Bannockburn Green, 2511 Waukegan Rd., Bannockburn
Supports the development of fine motor skills, gross motor skills, social skills and language through purposeful play and peer to peer interaction in a casual and fun setting. This program also brings families together to share experiences and build relationships. All ages welcome.

Special Night for Special Needs
7 August, 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Jump America, 880 Lakeside Drive, Gurnee
$8 per jumper, one parent jumps free
Special Needs Night is held on the first Wednesday of every month; enjoy jumping with low noise and little distraction.

AMC Sensory Friendly Films 
10 & 24 August,, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
AMC Theatres in Lake in the Hills and South Barrington
AMC is proud to partner with the Autism Society to offer unique movie showings where the theaters turn the lights up and turn the sound down, so you can get up and dance, walk, shout or sing! 

Autism Family Cares Back to School Picnic *registration required*
11 August 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Lakewood Forest Preserve, Shelter E, 27277 N. Forest Preserve Rd., Wauconda
A free picnic for children diagnosed with autism and their families! There will be an inflatable obstacle course, balloon artist, face painter, and outdoor games. Food will be provided with vegan and gluten-free options. Please register as space is limited.

Pediatric Interactions Supper Appreciation Party and Parade
17 August 3:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Central Park, Grayslake
Meet us at the Central Park Picnic Grove (closest to Lake St). Bring your wagons and bicycles to decorate! Enjoy hot dogs and snacks prior to walking with us in the Grayslake Summer Days Parade at 6:30 pm. We are looking forward to seeing you! RSVP [email protected]

Sensory Storytime
20 August 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Deerfield Public Library, 920 Waukegan Rd., Deerfield
An inclusive and interactive storytime filled with stories, songs, sensory play, and socialization! Children of all abilities with their siblings and caregivers are welcome.

Storytime with the Youth Board
25 August 6:00 – 6:30 p.m.
GiGi’s Playhouse at Bannockburn Green, 2511 Waukegan Rd., Bannockburn
Sit down relax and enjoy a story read to you by our Youth Board. Open to all ages.

Sensory Storytime *registration required*
28 August, 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Barrington Area Library, 505 N. Northwest Hwy, Barrington
Children enjoy books, music, and movement activities designed to engage the senses and build language and literacy skills. For children of all abilities. Program Room. Register.

Do you know of a program or event we missed? Share it in the comments so we can add it!

Pediatric Interactions is a Speech and Language Clinic located in Grayslake and McHenry that engages and empowers families and their children. Pediatric Interventions provides FREE developmental screenings, individual and group therapy, Early Intervention, classes, workshops, and other community resources to help children better communicate.

Pediatric Interactions
Speech/Language and Developmental Therapies

(847) 223-7433 | [email protected]
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Therapeutic Links is an Occupational Therapist owned and directed private practice with over 25 years of experience. Their highly trained staff is dedicated to helping individuals and their families link mind, body, and movement to improve functioning utilizing specialized treatment approaches and meaningful interaction. They pride themselves on working collaboratively with your child’s team of teachers, private professionals, and caregivers.

Therapeutic Links

(847) 548-3458 | [email protected]
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Disclosure: Pediatric Interactions and Therapeutic Links are the paid advertising partners of the Special Needs Calendar. All thoughts and opinions are that of the writer. Interested in having your business featured? Contact us today.