The City of Edina Parks and Recreation Department offers a variety of youth activities throughout the year, including special events for families, summer playground programs, sports camps, tennis lessons, and adaptive programming.

College Nannies & Tutors provides one-on-one tutors for kids ages three and up, and for ACT/SAT preparation. The agency also places nannies in families with children from infants to teens. Background and reference checks are performed on prospective nannies and tutors.

In addition, the agency storefront serves as an outpost of kiddywampus, offering a small selection of the colorful toys and playthings for which the main St. Louis Park store is known.

Early Intervention Central Intake's "first-step" information - referrals and support - helps Minnesota parents of children from birth to age three who have concerns about their child's development and behavior.

The service helps identify children with delays or disorders pertaining to sensory, physical, mental, or emotional development - including autism, hearing impairment, and neural muscular disorders - and facilitates screenings, evaluations, and service coordination.

EPCGT is a parent group that promotes awareness and understanding of the unique needs of the gifted children, and supports educational and social opportunities to meet those needs.

Fraser offers an inclusive early childhood education program for children of all abilities, meeting both "typical" and special needs. Extended day care is available, as well as physical, occupational, speech, and music therapies.

It's not easy to tell by the look and taste of the moist, delicious goodies for sale at Madwoman that all of the new bakery's products are made without wheat flour. And judging by the steady stream of customers, that's just what the doctor ordered.

Ground almonds and other inventive substitutes mean the products are low-glycemic and gluten-free, a boon for those with Celiac Disease, diabetes, food allergies and sensitivities, and dietetic restrictions, as well as those looking for low-carb, high nutrition treats, and healthy ready-made convenience foods including breads, pizzas, soup, quiches, granola, and many varieties of tea cakes and other baked goods.

Here's what else you won't find in the bakery: chemical sweeteners, high fructose corn syrup, excessive packaging, and preservatives. (And are you really going to miss 'em?) When possible, ingredients are fair trade, organic, and grown locally. Some products can be purchased online.

Madwoman patrons can sit at one of the tables in the cheery, clean cafe and enjoy tea, coffee, and low-glycemic drinks with their treats.

The Merriam Park branch of the Saint Paul Public Library system features a special Deaf and Hard of Hearing Collection, including materials on hearing loss and sign language, closed-captioned and ASL videos, and signed children's books.

The library hosts storytimes and other family-friendly programming throughout the year, including a special ASL storytime on the first Saturday of the month from October to May. Patrons enjoy reciprocity privileges at libraries throughout the seven-county metro area.

This state-certified program is available - free of charge - to any Minnesota resident ages 15 to 20 who is ready for high school coursework.

Earn a high school diploma from home, combine online classes with "traditional" schooling, or sharpen individual skills. Students benefit from small class sizes and personalized instruction in interactive classes.

Family-to-Family and Kidshops workshops are two of the many programs offered by the Minnesota chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness to provide coping strategies and support to parents and children who are dealing with a family member with a mental illness. The free workshops are held at sites throughout the metro area. Preregistration is required.

Other NAMI programs offer information, advocacy, and support for caregivers of mentally ill children. A Dakota County Parent Liaison helps organize parents in that region.

The National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped provides free access to library materials especially designed for those with low vision or blindness or any type of physical disability.

Through NLS' national network of regional libraries, books and magazines on cassettes and in braille, as well as audio equipment, are mailed straight to participants' doors, at no cost.

Serving the seven-county metro area, Resources for Child Caring provides tools and services to strengthen parents and caregivers, including classes, a special needs program, and resources and referrals to help parents meet their childcare needs.

The center's Debra S. Fish Early Childhood Resource Library has more than 3,000 articles, books, and DVDs with information on child development and behavior, and ideas for activities.

There are more than 245 Ronald McDonald Houses in 26 countries, offering support and practical assistance to families with very sick children. It's a safe bet that your local chapter can always use volunteers.

Rooted in Movement is a holistic hands-on therapeutic practice serving infants and children. Certified Somatic Movement Therapist Rebecca Barth guides children through specialized exercises and games to help them reach physical, emotional, and intellectual milestones, using her knowledge of anatomy, reflex integration, and body mechanics in one-on-one sessions.

Rooted in Movement is a holistic hands-on therapeutic practice serving infants and children. Certified Somatic Movement Therapist Rebecca Barth guides children through specialized exercises and games to help them reach physical, emotional, and intellectual milestones, using her knowledge of anatomy, reflex integration, and body mechanics in one-on-one sessions.

St. David's - a non-profit, non-sectarian agency serving the west metro area since 1961 - offers year-round early education for children ages 16 months to five years old, including music and Spanish enrichment classes, and flexible scheduling options. Children with varying needs are welcome.

Services also include rehabilitative and mental health therapy for children and families, support services for children and young adults with special needs, and intervention services aimed at preventing child abuse and neglect.

TCDeaf.com offers a free weekly guide to events and news of interest to the deaf community in the Twin Cities - including notices of ASL-interpreted performances, tours, and classes for toddlers through adults - and links to other local resources and offers, such a free tickets to Twins games!

The Therapy Place is an outpatient clinic that provides occupational, speech, and physical therapy for children with special needs. Along with individual therapy, The Therapy Place provides social groups, a feeding clinic, handwriting groups, music therapy, and yoga classes. Yoga classes are open to children of all abilities.

The Therapy Place is an outpatient clinic that provides occupational, speech, and physical therapy for children with special needs. Along with individual therapy, The Therapy Place provides social groups, a feeding clinic, handwriting groups, music therapy, and yoga classes. Yoga classes are open to children of all abilities.

There are more than 245 Ronald McDonald Houses in 26 countries, offering support and practical assistance to families with very sick children. It's a safe bet that your local chapter can always use volunteers.

A non-profit agency providing individualized assessment, referral, and therapeutic services to metro area youth and their families. The agency serves kids dealing with emotional, behavioral, parenting, and chemical dependency difficulties. It offers treatment and intervention for depression, ADD/ADHD, divorce, anxiety, and abuse. Washburn can help parents find daycare and schools that meet their child's special needs.

The agency welcomes monetary donations to support its programming, as well as contributions of time and materials. Check with the center for current needs.

A non-profit agency providing individualized assessment, referral, and therapeutic services to metro area youth and their families. The agency serves kids dealing with emotional, behavioral, parenting, and chemical dependency difficulties. It offers treatment and intervention for depression, ADD/ADHD, divorce, anxiety, and abuse. Washburn can help parents find daycare and schools that meet their child's special needs.

The agency welcomes monetary donations to support its programming, as well as contributions of time and materials. Check with the center for current needs.

A non-profit agency providing individualized assessment, referral, and therapeutic services to metro area youth and their families. The agency serves kids dealing with emotional, behavioral, parenting, and chemical dependency difficulties. It offers treatment and intervention for depression, ADD/ADHD, divorce, anxiety, and abuse. Washburn can help parents find daycare and schools that meet their child's special needs.

The agency welcomes monetary donations to support its programming, as well as contributions of time and materials. Check with the center for current needs.