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Category: Special Needs + Special Kids

Special Needs Summer Camps Lakeland Florida

Special Needs Resources in Lakeland + Polk County

If you are raising a child with unique needs or have a special needs adult in your family, we can help you find local resources including special needs parent groups, special needs schools, and more.

Be sure to check out our Guide to Sensory Friendly & Special Needs Activities for a list of organizations in our community providing activities in a sensory-friendly and/or special needs friendly environment.

If you have a child with autism or sensory processing disorder, learn more about how Lakeland Regional Health is making the hospital less stressful for families with an autistic child through the BRAVE program.

Looking for other special needs articles? Visit our Special Needs category.

HELPFUL TIP: Use the filter button (3 horizontal lines) to narrow down the list by city and/or category. All city filters are a general geographic area, check each listing address for a specific location. Use the map at the bottom to find Special Needs + Special Kids Near You.

Don’t see your business listed here? Use the button below to add a Featured or Basic listing.

Huntington Tutoring Test Prep Lakeland 5
Huntington Tutoring Test Prep Lakeland 9
Huntington Tutoring Test Prep Lakeland 7
Featured
Huntington Learning Center of Lakeland

For 40 years, Huntington’s highly trained tutors have worked with students of all ages and abilities to improve their grades and build self-confidence, organizational skills, and good study habits. Whether your child is struggling academically or just wants to get ahead, we can tailor a tutoring program that will achieve results. We can help unlock your child’s potential and send struggles packing with individualized tutoring in a number of academic fundamentals or major subjects. We understand that no two students learn alike. With subjects ranging from reading and writing to math and science, our tutoring programs provide personalized instruction based on each student’s individual needs.

Regardless if they are struggling with poor homework habits or difficulties due to ADHD, at Huntington, we’ve helped thousands of students quickly improve their grades and build their confidence. We are dedicated to building academic success that will last a lifetime. Thousands of students have achieved success in our tutoring programs, improving both grades and confidence. In fact, after only about 3 months of tutoring, our students typically achieve 2+ grade levels of growth.

Tutoring, Test Prep + Academic Support | Special Needs Resources + Organizations
6655 Florida Avenue South, Lakeland, Florida 33813
Jinji-Donato-Illuminations-Center-for-Dyslexia
Jinji-Donato-Illuminations-Center-for-Dyslexia
Featured
Illuminations Center for Dyslexia

Illuminations Center for Dyslexia is a 501c3 nonprofit organization that works to change the lives of children through Structured Literacy instruction. In addition to our primary mission to teach children to read, write, and spell, we also offer a variety of virtual tutoring services. All therapists at Illuminations have received training in structured literacy methods. We use individualized Orton-Gillingham materials from various programs including Neuhaus Education, Wilson Reading, Alphabetic Phonics, and Kendore Learning. Each lesson is individually planned and based on the student’s unique needs within the structured scope and sequence recommended by the International Dyslexia Association.

Tutoring, Test Prep + Academic Support | Special Needs Resources + Organizations | Dyslexia Resources
Achievement Academy

Growing up is tough. Growing up a step behind everyone else your age is tougher. Achievement Academy is a non-profit United Way agency and charter school. We serve children birth through age six that have developmental delays or disabilities. The Achievement Academy has 3 locations in Polk County-Lakeland, Bartow and Winter Haven.

Charter Schools | Special Needs Schools | Special Needs Schools + Preschools
716 East Bella Vista Street, Lakeland, Florida 33805
695 East Summerlin Street, Bartow, Florida 33830
2211 28th Street Northwest, Winter Haven, Florida 33881
April's Acres - Farm Visits and Equine Assisted Therapy

Offering farm visits and equine therapy by appointment during evenings and weekends.  Please visit our website for more information and to see our beautiful animals!

Animal Adventures | Sensory Friendly + Special Needs Activities | Petting Zoos + Farms with Animals | Homeschool Enrichment – Nature + Animals | Farm Animal + Petting Zoo Parties | Farm + Animal Field Trips
Lakeland
Ashley Gibson Barnett Museum of Art (The AGB) at Florida Southern College (formerly the Polk Museum of Art)

The Ashley Gibson Barnett Museum of Art (The AGB) at Florida Southern College (formerly the Polk Museum of Art) is the largest and the only nationally accredited visual arts organization in Polk County and has been a Smithsonian Affiliate Museum since 2010. The museum offers workshops and classes for teens and adults, after school art for children, weekend workshops, spring break camp, summer camp, and the annual Mayfaire by the Lake.

Art Lessons | Museums + Historical Attractions | Gift + Home Stores | Sensory Friendly + Special Needs Activities | Homeschool Enrichment - Arts + Crafts | Museums + Historic Field Trips | Art, Music + Theater Field Trips
800 East Palmetto Street, Lakeland, Florida 33801
Behavioral Progression, Inc.

Behavioral Progression’s mission is to provide quality and effective Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) services to individuals and families who are experiencing challenging behaviors or need to increase functional and communication skills. Our aim is to provide individualized functional assessments and treatment programs to the client and caregivers that will equip everyone with the tools for socially significant and meaningful behavior change.

Special Needs Schools | Child Behavior + Developmental Evaluations | Special Needs Resources + Organizations | Therapy - ABA - Applied Behavior Analysis
Lakeland
Buddy Break

Buddy Break provides a safe place for VIP Kids and their siblings to have fun and establish meaningful friendships with other kids and adults while their caregivers get a much-needed FREE break from their overwhelming caregiving responsibilities. VIP Kids include kids with any physical, cognitive, medical or hidden disability, chronic or life-threatening illness, or those who are medically fragile. Visit the website or contact the coordinators for more details on how to get involved with Buddy Break. Learn more about Buddy Break at First Presbyterian Church Lakeland.

Sensory Friendly + Special Needs Activities
175 Lake Hollingsworth Drive, Lakeland, Florida 33801
Central Florida Dreamplex Adaptive Sports

Central Florida Dreamplex offers Adaptive Sports designed for those with physical disabilities and are often played with the similar rules to typical sports. Participants often have a permanent lower extremity disability including, but not limited to: CWB Foot, Spinal Bifida, Cerebral Palsy, Hip Dysplasia, Leg length Discrepancies, Spinal Cord Injury, Amputee. Adaptive sports include sled hockey, sitting volleyball, power soccer, track and field, adaptive water skiing & wakeboarding, wheelchair football, wheelchair basketball, and more.

Special Needs Resources + Organizations
Cerebral Palsy Guidance

We provide vital guidance and assistance to parents of a child with cerebral palsy. Visit our website to learn more about cerebral palsy, sources for financial assistance, and many resources.

Special Needs Resources + Organizations
Crossroads Christian School (K-12)

Crossroads Christian School is a K-12 private school in Lakeland that provides a personalized education focus for each of its students. With low student-teacher ratios and an encouraging, nurturing environment, Lakeland area kids with special education needs are finding success at Crossroads Christian School, and your child can too!

Special Needs Schools | Special Needs Schools + Preschools | Private Christian Schools | Private High Schools | Private Elementary Schools | Private Middle Schools | Private Schools in Lakeland
615 Old Polk City Road, Lakeland, Florida 33809
Early Steps Program

Early Steps is Florida’s early intervention system that offers services to eligible infants and toddlers (birth to thirty-six months) with significant delays or a condition likely to result in a developmental delay. Early Intervention is provided to support families and caregivers in developing the competence and confidence to help their child learn and develop.

Early Steps services are based on Early Steps evaluations and your family’s concerns, priorities, and goals. Early Steps uses a Team Based Primary Service Provider approach which aims to empower each eligible family by providing a comprehensive team of professionals from the beginning of services until the age of three. The goal is for the family to receive strong support from one person, provide a comprehensive team of professionals from beginning to end, and for the family to have fewer appointments and more time to be a family. Services are provided to the family and child where they live, learn and play, to enable the family to implement developmentally appropriate learning opportunities during everyday activities and routines.

Special Needs Resources + Organizations | Therapy - Occupational + Physical | Hearing Tests + Speech Therapy | Youth Services
GenCare Kids PPEC + Learning Center

GenCare Kids is your trusted local Prescribed Pediatric Extended Care (PPEC) facility. Specializing in medically-complex conditions from birth to age 20, our state-of-the-art P-PEC facility and compassionate medical professionals are dedicated to fostering your child’s growth and development in a nurturing and enjoyable environment. We offer skilled nursing care, speech, occupational, and physical therapies, free transportation, an after school program and so much more. Serving the communities of Haines City, Lakeland, and the surrounding areas. Call us today to find out more about qualification for your special needs child!

Special Needs Schools | Special Needs Schools + Preschools | Special Needs Resources + Organizations | Therapy - ABA - Applied Behavior Analysis | Therapy - Occupational + Physical
7405 US Highway 98 North, Lakeland, Florida 33809
Kings Hammer Swan City SC

For more than 25 years, Swan City SC (formerly the Lakeland Tropics FC) has served the Lakeland community through the game of soccer. Swan City SC is a not-for-profit organization, committed to providing a superior soccer experience for all of the area’s youth by offering highly competitive recreational and travel team opportunities. This commitment is accomplished through an organization of volunteers and soccer professionals, who administer the training programs.

Swan City SC exemplifies Perseverance, Respect, and Integrity as we Develop Excellence in youth. We are the PRIDE of Lakeland.

Recreational league practices and games are held at Lake Parker Park and Loyce Harpe Park on Carter Road.

Sensory Friendly + Special Needs Activities | Soccer | Toddler Sports
910 Granada Street, Lakeland, Florida 33805
500 West Carter Road, Mulberry, Florida 33860
Lakeland Christian School (PreK4 - grade 12)

The hallmarks of LCS are strong academics, championship athletics, award-winning fine arts, and a close-knit school-family partnership. Classes are taught from a Biblical perspective, emphasizing God’s truth as it applies to every aspect of a student’s life. The Discovery Program is offered to students age 5-14 with a specific diagnosis of autism and/or related disabilities.

Preschool / Daycare for Ages 2 & Up | Special Needs Schools | Special Needs Schools + Preschools | Church Affiliated Daycares / Preschools | Private Christian Schools | Private High Schools | Private Elementary Schools | Private Middle Schools | Private Schools in Lakeland
1111 Forest Park Street, Lakeland, Florida 33803
Lakeland City Baseball

Recreational youth baseball organization for boys and girls from ages 4 -15 years old. Fall season includes 2 weeknight games, Spring Season includes one weeknight game and one Saturday game. Games are played at Peterson Park (age 4-10) and Lake Bonny/Fletcher Park (age 11-15). Buddy Ball League is for boys and girls with physical and/or intellectual disabilities, ages 5 and up.

Sensory Friendly + Special Needs Activities | Baseball | Toddler Sports
3700 Cleveland Heights Blvd, Lakeland, Florida 33803
Lakeland Community Theatre

Lakeland Community Theatre boasts a Main Stage season of five high quality productions; The Eunice Fuller Theatre for Youth three show season as well as classes, summer camps, workshops, Master Classes; The Out of the Box Troupe for special needs youth and adults, a Senior Troupe and many special productions and events each year.

Drama + Theatre Classes | Volunteer Opportunities Available | Theatres + Performing Arts Venues | Sensory Friendly + Special Needs Activities | Homeschool Enrichment - Theater | Art, Music + Theater Field Trips
121 South Lake Avenue, Lakeland, Florida 33801
Lakeland Institute For Learning

The Lakeland Institute for Learning is a clinical school for ESE and ELL students whose purpose is to deliver services to students within the educational setting in order to facilitate their overall health and well being and maximize their academic growth. These students fall into two areas: special needs and those who are also English Language Learners (ESE) (as defined by law). The school is striving to deliver Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA), Speech Language, and tutoring services to students during their school day, within a rigorous educational environment to facilitate academic growth into postsecondary opportunities.

Special Needs Schools | Special Needs Schools + Preschools | Private High Schools | Private Elementary Schools | Private Middle Schools | Non-Religious Private Schools | Private Schools in Lakeland
2020 Crystal Grove Drive, Lakeland, Florida 33801
Lakeland Microschool for Students who are Blind or Visually Impaired

For the 2025-2026 school year, a local certified teacher is planning on opening a microschool in Lakeland for blind and visually impaired students in grades K-2. She has been involved in the blind community for many years as a certified Braille transcriber, and is currently gauging interest for enrollment. Please visit https://tinyurl.com/microbvi to complete an interest form and receive more information.

Special Needs Schools + Preschools
Mini Miracles Sunday School Class

Mini Miracles is a Sunday School Class at First Presbyterian Church in Room 109 offered during the 10:30 worship hour developed for children ages 4-12 who struggle with developmental delays, Autism spectrum disorders, ADD/ADHD, or any other special need. This class allows children with exceptionalities to play freely and have safe social interactions in a secure environment with specially trained adults. Pagers are provided so parents can attend worship without worrying about emergencies. Sunday Mornings at 10:30am.

Sensory Friendly + Special Needs Activities | Sensory Friendly Church Programs
175 Lake Hollingsworth Dr., Lakeland, Florida 33801
Nathaniel’s Hope

Nathaniel’s Hope is dedicated to celebrating kids with special needs (VIP kids), as well as educating and equipping the community to provide practical assistance to VIPs and their families. VIP kids include kids with any physical, cognitive, medical or hidden disability, chronic or life threatening illness, and those who are medically fragile. The four main programs include: the VIP Birthday Club, Buddy Break, Make ‘m Smile and Christmas with Nathaniel’s Hope. Nathaniel’s Hope also hosts special events throughout the year just for VIP kids and their families.

Sensory Friendly + Special Needs Activities
Pathways School of Excellence (ages 11-22)
Special Needs Schools | Special Needs Schools + Preschools
1000 Longfellow Boulevard, Lakeland, Florida 33801
Psychological Associates of Central Florida

Psychological Associates of Central Florida is a mental health clinic providing services for children, adolescents, adults, parents, and couples. Psychological Services are offered for: ADHD/ADD, Autism/Developmental Disorders, Mood Disorders, Anxiety Disorders, Behavioral Disorders, Relationship difficulties, Work-related stress, Bullying, and more.

Child Behavior + Developmental Evaluations | Mental Health Counseling + Therapists | Special Needs Support Groups
5424 Strickland Avenue, Lakeland, Florida 33812
1 North Scenic Highway, Lake Wales, Florida 33853
Social Spectrum Club

Social Spectrum Club is a safe space for tweens, teens, and young adults with Autism, (or related disabilities) as well as anyone who feels like they just don’t fit in, (we love weirdos, nerds, eccentrics and beautifully awkward peoples!) as well as their siblings/friends. Weekly in-person and virtual meetings and activities. Visit the website to learn more and join the club.

Sensory Friendly + Special Needs Activities | Special Needs Resources + Organizations
Lakeland
Southern Grace Dance Company

Southern Grace Dance Company is a dance studio conveniently located in central Lakeland and welcomes dancers ages 2 through adult. Ballet, ​Pointe, Contemporary, Hip-Hop, ​Jazz, Tap, ​Pre- Dance​​, Special Needs (Joyful Soles), ​Home School Program, Competition Teams (SG Elite).

Dance Lessons | Sensory Friendly + Special Needs Activities | Homeschool Enrichment - Dance | Toddler Dance Classes
2300 East Edgewood Drive, Lakeland, Florida 33803
Sparrow Academy (grades 3 - 8)

Sparrow Academy is a third through twelfth-grade school that approaches learning through the lens of Emotional Regulation. At Sparrow Academy, our staff is trained in trauma-informed approaches to learning. We work to understand the root of problems and develop a plan to correct the underlying cause, not just the symptoms. Our program is especially designed to meet the needs of children who have experiences abandonment, abuse, or neglect. We are also a great place for children with behavior and attention disorders, such as, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Bipolar Disorder, Attention Deficit Disorder, and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

 

Special Needs Schools | Special Needs Schools + Preschools | Private Elementary Schools | Private Middle Schools | Non-Religious Private Schools | Private Schools in Lakeland
8595 U.S. 98, Lakeland, Florida 33809
Special Needs Support Group - Polk County, Florida

This Facebook group is a safe place Polk parents can get to know each other and become friends with those who just “get it.” All are welcome who have their own special needs someone. We are all here to support one another so please ask questions, help when others ask questions. Post resources, post happenings in the community. Reach out, get to know other families and look for up coming events posted to the group!

Sensory Friendly + Special Needs Activities | Special Needs Support Groups
Special Olympics Florida

Special Olympics Florida provides year-round sports training and competition to children and adults 8 years of age and older with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Currently offering 17 sports in Polk County.

Sensory Friendly + Special Needs Activities
Spirit Gymnastics Sports Academy

Spirit Gymnastics Sports Academy’s mission is to build and encourage true character in all ages as they learn the sport of gymnastics. Offering Recreational/Team Gymnastics, Summer Camps, After School Care, Birthday Parties, Dance Classes, All Star Cheer Team, Tumbling, and more. HUGS Special Needs classes.

After School Programs | Indoor Play + Open Gym for Toddlers | Gymnastics + Tumbling Lessons | Sensory Friendly + Special Needs Activities | Homeschool Enrichment - Gymnastics | Toddler Gymnastics | Gymnastics Parties
2830 Recker Highway, Winter Haven, Florida 33880
The Roberts Academy at Florida Southern College (grades 2-8)

Since 2010, The Roberts Academy has successfully prepared talented students with dyslexia to achieve academic excellence through dynamic educational programs. The Roberts Academy provides a full complement of academic programs, as well as support and training for parents and teachers of students with dyslexia. Students experiencing difficulty in their current schools can attend The Roberts Academy in grades 2-8 until they have mastered the skills to accommodate their learning differences and are fully prepared to succeed in a traditional school setting. Reading tutoring is also available to the community.

Special Needs Schools | Tutoring, Test Prep + Academic Support | Special Needs Schools + Preschools | Private Elementary Schools | Private Middle Schools | Non-Religious Private Schools | Private Schools in Lakeland | Dyslexia Resources
1140 Frank Lloyd Wright Way, Lakeland, Florida 33801
The Vanguard School (grades 6-12)

The Vanguard School is an independent, co-educational, boarding and day school for students in grades 6-12 who learn differently. Vanguard strives to ensure each student aspires to higher educational opportunities and independent life. Most commonly, our students experience difficulties with: ADD/ADHD, Dyslexia, Anxiety, Autism, Tourette’s, Auditory Processing Disorder.

Special Needs Schools | Special Needs Schools + Preschools | Private High Schools | Private Middle Schools | Non-Religious Private Schools
22000 U.S. 27, Lake Wales, Florida 33859