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MARTIAL ARTS

East Side Tae Kwon Do, Upper East Side
Aut/Dev; ages 3 and up
This place doesn’t simply serve kids with special needs: Up to half the participants have some type of diagnosis, most often cognitive impairments such as autism and ADHD. You won’t find mirrors in the studio—they’re too distracting for those with ADD and ADHD—but you will see clearly-designated spot markers, a must for kids with boundary issues. If your child isn’t quite ready for the group thing, she can start out with private or semiprivate lessons. Registration fee $100; group lessons: ages 3–4 $775 for four months; 5 and up $1,194 for six months. 325 E 65th St between First and Second Aves (212-755-5982, eastsidetaekwondo.com)

FirefliesNY, Brooklyn
Aut; ages 3 to 15
Lisa Chin, who runs this studio on one floor of her duplex apartment, isn’t just a martial arts expert—she’s also a special educator who works with autistic kids. Besides gaining balance, flexibility, muscle tone and focus, her students are exposed to some pretty amazing peer models: the typically developing middle-schoolers who volunteer to help little ones master their side and roundhouse kicks. Intake evaluation $100; $80 per session, or $695 for ten weeks. Call or e-mail for location in Windsor Terrace (718-355-9480, Lisa@FirefliesNY.com, firefliesny.com)

Karate at the JCC, Upper West Side
Aut/Dev; ages 6 to 13
Children build strength and self-confidence in this special-needs class staffed with extra assistants. Some kids may be integrated into mainstream sessions. $460 for members; $610 for nonmembers for 17 Friday sessions; financial aid available. 334 Amsterdam Ave at 76th St (646-505-4444, jccmanhattan.org)

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