Special Dragons

- Office Location, 77 Tiona Ave, Belleville, NJ 07109

For families in New Jersey, particularly those seeking enriching activities for children and young adults with special needs, finding the right program can be a unique challenge. Special Dragons in Belleville is a true gem in our community, offering a one-of-a-kind martial arts program that is both a physical activity and a therapeutic tool. Founded by George Bostory, a certified special education teacher and a highly accomplished karate champion, this program was created to fill a void in physical sports for children with special needs. It expertly combines George’s background in special education with his passion for martial arts to create a supportive and transformative environment. The program uses karate techniques to help students with a wide range of challenges, including those related to hand-eye coordination, motor control, balance, focus, and physical conditioning. This is not just a sports class; it's a program that empowers students to overcome daily challenges and flourish both on and off the mat.

The impact of Special Dragons is perhaps best captured by the voices of the local customers who have experienced its benefits firsthand. One parent shared that their 14-year-old daughter on the autism spectrum has "learned so much," praising the instructor's "patience and a great teacher." Another parent of a current student highlighted the dedication of "George," who is "very committed to his students and has a great rapport with them." This review notes that the program has allowed their son to "flourish," becoming "more coordinated, faster and stronger" in just a couple of years. These testimonials underscore the core mission of Special Dragons: to provide a safe, understanding, and effective space where children with diverse abilities can build confidence and skills. The program is designed to be a judgment-free zone where every student is welcomed and encouraged to reach their full potential. This unique and compassionate approach is what makes Special Dragons a highly recommended resource for families across our New Jersey community.

Special Dragons is located in Belleville, NJ, with its office at 77 Tiona Ave, Belleville, NJ 07109, USA. It’s important to note that the organization has various locations for classes, often partnering with other community organizations like the American Legion or local recreation departments in Union, Jersey City, and Paterson, to bring its program to a wider audience. The main Belleville location and the various class sites are strategically chosen to be accessible to families throughout the northern New Jersey region. While specific accessibility features for the office are not detailed, the very nature of their mission and their partnerships with community centers and recreation divisions (such as the Bayonne Division of Recreation's Special Needs Sports Program) strongly suggests a commitment to making their programs as widely accessible as possible. This includes working with populations with cognitive and physical disabilities, which indicates that accessibility is a core consideration in their operations.

Special Dragons offers a highly specialized and impactful set of services, focusing on using karate as a therapeutic and developmental tool for children and young adults with special needs.

• Karate-Based Therapy: The program uses foundational karate techniques to address a range of developmental challenges. This includes improving hand-eye coordination, motor control, balance, and physical conditioning.

• Adaptive Sports: As an adaptive sports program, Special Dragons tailors its instruction to meet the individual needs of its students. The curriculum is designed to be flexible and accommodating to various disabilities, including autism, ADHD, Down syndrome, and mental health disorders.

• Physical and Mental Benefits: The classes aim to improve not only physical skills like coordination and strength but also mental and behavioral aspects such as focus, attention span, and time-on-task. The instructors work to instill self-confidence, self-esteem, and discipline in every student.

• Specialized Instruction: All classes are taught by certified special education instructors who are also experienced black belt karate champions. This unique combination of expertise ensures that the instruction is both high-level in martial arts and sensitive to the specific needs of the students.

• Group and Individualized Approach: The classes are structured to allow for group participation, fostering social skills and camaraderie, while the instructors are also highly committed to each student's individual progress.

• Age-Specific Programs: The program serves specific age ranges, with classes designed for children aged 5 to 11 and young adults aged 12 to 21, ensuring that the training is age-appropriate and effective.

The focused and compassionate services provided by Special Dragons make it a truly invaluable resource for families in the New Jersey community.

Special Dragons stands out for a number of key features and highlights that make it a premier choice for adaptive martial arts in New Jersey.

• Founder's Expertise: The program is led by George Bostory, a unique combination of a "certified special education teacher" and a "three time intercollegiate black belt karate champion." This dual expertise is a significant highlight, ensuring a high level of both educational and martial arts quality.

• Commitment to Students: Customer reviews consistently praise George's dedication. His commitment to his students and his great rapport with them create a trusting and supportive environment where students are able to "flourish."

• Focus on Holistic Development: The program's benefits go beyond physical improvement. It is a "karate based therapy" that addresses challenges related to motor control and focus, while also building self-confidence, self-esteem, and social skills.

• Inclusive Community: Special Dragons accepts students with a wide range of diagnoses, including autism, ADHD, and Down syndrome. They are also open to non-verbal students and have requirements to ensure a safe environment for everyone.

• Proven Results: Customer testimonials highlight tangible improvements, such as a child becoming "more coordinated, faster and stronger," and another experiencing significant improvements in "behavior and focus."

• Community Partnerships: The school's collaboration with various community organizations, such as recreation departments, demonstrates their commitment to reaching and serving a wide population of families in need of their services.

These highlights make it clear that Special Dragons is more than a recreational activity; it is a life-changing program dedicated to empowering its students.

For more information or to inquire about a class, you can contact Special Dragons using the following details:

Address: Office Location, 77 Tiona Ave, Belleville, NJ 07109, USAPhone: (973) 667-8525

Choosing Special Dragons is a decision to invest in a program that is uniquely qualified to help children and young adults with special needs thrive. What is truly worth choosing about this location is the unparalleled combination of special education expertise and high-level martial arts instruction. The testimonials from happy parents, who see their children becoming more confident, coordinated, and successful, are the most powerful endorsement. Unlike a traditional sports program that may not be equipped to handle the unique needs of this population, Special Dragons provides a compassionate, effective, and tailored experience. The commitment of its founder, George, to each and every student is the heart of the program, and it is what has allowed so many children in our New Jersey community to flourish. Special Dragons offers a safe and structured environment for growth, making it a truly invaluable resource for families looking for an activity that goes beyond the physical and positively impacts a child’s entire life.

Special Dragons

Office Location, 77 Tiona Ave, Belleville, NJ 07109, USA