As the school year winds down and students are counting the days until summer vacation, many parents — especially those of special needs children — may not know how to keep their children stimulated during the summer months.

A fair hosted Monday by Athens City Schools provided information to parents of special needs students for activities catered specifically to them. Activities previewed included free dance classes, sensory movies and story times.

Athens Elementary Special Education teacher Amanda Elgin said sensory movie time, hosted by Carmike Cinema Valley Bend 18, allows children to move freely as needed rather than staying confined to their seats like a regular showing.

“All of the parents are going through the same thing so they understand,” she said. “(Students) get to be around families going through the same challenges and joys other families go through.”

Parent Sina Mahaffey said she came to the parent fair because she doesn’t want her seven-year-old daughter to stay inactive during the summer.

“I didn’t know where to go or what to do until I came here,” she said, adding she thinks her daughter will enjoy trying out the dance class at Dance Academy in Athens.

Another problem parents may encounter is that some children don’t know or understand how to play with special needs children. At the parent fair, parents had the opportunity to meet with other families in similar situations.

Florine Crayton watched her seven-year-old son play with Mahaffey’s daughter while the mothers chatted about summer programs they may attend.

Crayton said she tried taking her son to the playground, but he wasn’t able to interact and play with some of the other children.

“The kids won’t play with him and I want him to be involved with other kids,” she said, adding they tried playing on a baseball team but because of her son’s medical condition, he had to quit.

Elgin said when children attend these special programs, it helps them learn and reinforces essential social skills.

“They learn how to play by taking turns and waiting,” she said. “Special needs children need to watch others to learn and there are parents there who have a child with a disability so they’re more understanding.”

Elgin said the programs are a good way for families to connect with one another and keep children connected even when they aren’t in a classroom together.

Program information:

• The Dance Academy at 207 E. Forrest St. in Athens has classes 6-6:30 p.m. June 18, 20 and 27; July 18 and 25. Classes are free to special needs students. For more information, call 256-226-6504.

• Sensory friendly movies are featured at 10 a.m. every fourth Saturday of the month at Carmike Cinema Valley Bend 18, 1485 4 Mile Post Road SE in Huntsville. Movies have dimmed light and reduced volume. Tickets are $5 per person.

• Cinemark Monaco at Bridge Street Town Centre in Huntsville also features sensory friendly movies 10 a.m. Monday-Thursday. Tickets are $1 per ticket or $4 for 10.

• After-hours sensory nights at U.S. Space and Rocket Center features sensory friendly family activities for those with autism. For more information, call 256-837-3400.

• Athens-Limestone Public Library will have story time from 1-30 p.m. Thursdays, followed by Spectrum Spot, a social skills class aimed at children on the autism spectrum.

For more information on library programs, visit http://www.alcpl.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/SRP-2017-Build-A-Beteer-World.pdf.

Information on other area programs can be found at https://www.rocketcitymom.com/special-needs-guide-to-huntsville-and-madison-county/.