A SPLASH OF BIG FUN ORGANIZATION OFFERS FUN ACTIVITIES FOR SPECIAL NEEDS CHILDREN IN THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY.Byline: JOHAN MENGESHA Valley News Writer Regular activities -- playing on the playground with their peers, staying focused at school -- can be a tough task for children with special needs. Through specialized spe·cial·ize v. spe·cial·ized, spe·cial·iz·ing, spe·cial·iz·es v.intr. 1. To pursue a special activity, occupation, or field of study. 2. recreational activities, however, they can be a little easier. Big Fun is an organization that promotes the integration of children with disabilities into all aspects of life through recreation. It has 15 gymnastics gymnastics, exercises for the balanced development of the body (see also aerobics), or the competitive sport derived from these exercises. Although the ancient Greeks (who invented the building called a gymnasium locations and four pool facilities in California, along with two gymnastics locations in Arizona. In Chatsworth, Big Fun works with children who have autism autism (ô`tĭzəm), developmental disability resulting from a neurological disorder that affects the normal functioning of the brain. It is characterized by the abnormal development of communication skills, social skills, and reasoning. , mental retardation mental retardation, below average level of intellectual functioning, usually defined by an IQ of below 70 to 75, combined with limitations in the skills necessary for daily living. , seizure disorders Seizure Disorder Definition A seizure is a sudden disruption of the brain's normal electrical activity accompanied by altered consciousness and/or other neurological and behavioral manifestations. and other special needs, teaching them gymnastics. The program, held at Team le Club, 9636 Cozycroft Ave., has been around for six years and has proved helpful for children with problems related to strength, motor planning, balance, sensory sensory /sen·so·ry/ (sen´sor-e) pertaining to sensation. sen·so·ry adj. 1. Of or relating to the senses or sensation. 2. processing and organizational behavior. Big Fun has also offered swimming classes at the Therapeutic Living Centers for the Blind at 7915 Lindley Ave. in Reseda for the past four years. In the pool, the children can experience a different world, said Michael Galvan, Big Fun's aquatics director. With little gravity, they can move around more freely and become more aware of where they are. ``Sensory integration sensory integration n. The coordinated organization and processing of input from somatic sense receptors by the central nervous system. is probably the best way to describe it,'' he said. About 20 staff members work at the two locations in the Valley. Most of the time the children's parents hear about Big Fun through word of mouth or from one of their other children. The group also works with children without special needs. Before a child starts taking classes there, they have to go through an evaluation to see what specific needs they have, Galvan said. Then they are teamed up with an appropriate coach who will work with them one-on-one. Most children at Big Fun are from 4 to 9, but adults also visit the locations, Galvan said. One thing that makes Big Fun special is that ``every individual who is here wants to be here,'' Galvan said. For more information about Big Fun, call 1-877-244-3868 or visit their Web site at www.bigfungymnastics.com CAPTION(S): photo Photo: Michael Galvan works with one of the many children who come to exercise at Big Fun. |
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