What do you do when your child is at an age to be included in group sports and programs, but their abilities aren’t developmentally equal to other children their age?

For parents whose children have diagnoses of developmental disorders, for example, getting children involved in organized social and activity groups can be nerve-racking. What a typical five, six, or seven-year-old can be expected to do may not be what a five, six, or seven-year-old on the autism spectrum can be expected to do.

Or one with impulse-control disorders. Imagining your autistic son who wanders successfully navigating a soccer game on a field next to a four-lane highway without you actively keeping him engaged could be impossible for many parents. Because of that, those children constitute a demographic of area children not being served with programming that accommodates their unique needs.

That being said, parents don’t want to see their children automatically pigeon-holed into a program that’s exclusively for special needs children until the end of time. For that reason, said Kim Slocum of the YMCA, a group of programs are being developed that create an accommodating, welcoming space for children of all ages based on ability rather than the number of years they’ve been alive.

The “Champion” programs are inclusive, ability-driven group activities that welcome all children, without or without diagnoses, based on what they like to do and the skill level they’re at. Similar to the Challenger division of the Little League Tee-Ball program, which matches children who have physical or mental challenges with children who don’t as “buddies.” It encourages those with diagnoses or challenges to interact with those without them, so that the strengths of the latter can be transferred to and encouraged from the former.

The new programs, said Slocum, are not exclusive to children with special needs and exist to provide supportive programming to people with limitations in mobility, intellectual ability, and social/emotional development.

Included in the Champion programs are three activities in addition to the Firefly program, which is for adults with intellectual disabilities. Rainbow Swim is set aside for anyone with a physical or mental disability and is held on Friday evenings from 6 to 7 p.m. starting September 15, said Slocum.

The goal of the swim program is to improve motor and social sills and is split between fun swim and instruction. The program is sponsored by the YMCA and the Don Mills Achievement Center, and there is no fee to participate. Volunteers are always needed, Slocum said, and anyone interested in more information or volunteering can contact the Don Mills Achievement Center at (814) 723-5730. Karen Lyle is the coordinator.

Champion Splash is another champion swim program that sets aside special time in the pool for anyone needing separate space and time for swimming. Private swim play dates can be booked, said Slocum, for groups of parents, kids, and friends for one hour. The program includes a room for a get-together prior to or after swimming, and use of the family and ADA locker rooms, which are helpful for families of children with special needs who need to have a more hands-on situation when it comes to getting ready to get into the pool and getting out.

The idea, said Slocum, is to cut down on the distractions and other things that can make it hard for children with developmental or intellectual disabilities, as well as motor issues, to seek traditional swim instruction. Lessons can also be provided during Champion Splash times, Slocum said. The cost for Champion Splash is $100 for members and $125 for non-members and dates need to be booked one month in advance. The contact person for Champion Splash is Cathy Peterson and she can be reached at (814) 726-0110 or by emailing cathy@warrenymca.org.

The third Champion program getting started is the Lego group, said Slocum. This social opportunity for children utilizing Legos to assist in developing social interaction skills while interacting with peers or staff will include Lego challenges for any child to try, as well as independent and creative play opportunities with friends and facilitators. The Lego program will be held on Wednesdays from 1 to 2 p.m. or 6 to 7 p.m. and will cost $5 for YMCA members or $8 for non-members.