There’s a new hidden treasure in Boynton Beach, neatly tucked off Congress Avenue. The Barrier Free Park, which opened earlier this year, is beautifully designed and fun for children and adults alike.

The park has been specially designed so that children of all abilities can comfortably enjoy the park’s amenities. Barriers have been removed so that nothing hinders children with special needs from enjoying the playground equipment.

The scenic 13-acre park features a large pond, beautifully decorated art panels, a splash area, a jungle gym and a climbing structure.

In addition to the typical swing sets, there is also a Sway-Fun glider, which has been designed to allow wheelchair-bound children the chance to experience what riding a swing is like.

The Swamp Splash Pad has two alligator heads, and other fixtures including a rain stick, that spray out cool water and makes a sizzling sound when flipped.

The park, which has a swamp theme, is beautifully landscaped with palm and oak trees, grass plants, and large rocks. Instead of the usual wood chips or mulch that surround many local jungle gyms, the Barrier Free Park uses a soft, vibrant green artificial grass.

Large shade sails have been strategically placed throughout the park so that the equipment can be enjoyable on the sunniest days.

In addition to several picnic tables that are located underneath the large pavilion, there are bistro-style tables and numerous wooden benches throughout the park.

Plans for the park have been in the works since 2003, when the Boundless Playgrounds Initiative was introduced by then-Gov. Jeb Bush. Cuts to the city budget delayed construction of the $2.3 million park project in 2009.

In 2010, the Greater Boynton Beach Foundation, a nonprofit organization, took over the building efforts and began to raise money for the project, according to its website.

The $1.7 million first phase was opened to the public Jan. 21. The foundation is still working to raise enough money to add the other three stages, which will include a building for therapeutic recreation and a larger play area.

MORE INFO

Read more about the Barrier Free Park Project at the Greater Boynton Beach Foundation website.

Visit the park at 3111 S. Congress Ave., halfway between Woolbright and Lake Ida roads next to the city tennis courts.

- MERCEDES COPPIN

For a baby with a serious vision or hearing problem, early intervention can help equip him for a better life.

Even newborns can be taught alternate ways to communicate, how to learn through other senses, get oriented to their surroundings and learn how to get around.

The Parent Infant Program of the Florida School for the Deaf & the Blind offers this support and training for families of babies with vision impairments in the Boca Raton area – in their homes for free.

Parent advisors work with the whole family to help meet the child’s needs. They can even provide pre-Braille and basic sign language skills.

“The earlier that it is detected, the earlier we can train the family on skills and techniques for helping the child have a better life,” said Kim Carr, the school’s coordinator for the region that includes Boca Raton.

For a child with a progressive vision loss, he can start learning pre-Braille skills early and be better prepared to cope when his vision gets worse, Carr said.

“Early intervention is key because it sets the foundation,” she said.

The school, based in St. Augustine, serves about 40 families from Indian River south to Boca.

To qualify for the services, a child must have a vision or hearing loss of a certain level  in both eyes or ears. (In Palm Beach County, help for hearing loss is provided by the school system).

Children are usually referred by a doctor or another program – many babies with vision loss also have other disabilities.  But families can also contact the school directly: call 904-827-2232 or email Carr: carrk@fsdb.k12.fl.us.

There are some little signs to look out for if you suspect your baby or young child has a problem:

• Not tracking movements with his eyes
• Not startled at loud or sudden sounds
• Doesn’t blink if you put your hand in his face
• Doesn’t turn his head to see something

Many of the kids who receive help at a young age for vision and hearing loss go on to mainstream programs in the public school system, Carr said.

The FSDB program helps newborns up to age 6 for vision problems. The public schools offer programs for kids with hearing and speech problems even before they enter kindergarten. (Read more about evaluations and services through Child Find).

A chiropractic neurologist in Delray Beach is taking an interesting approach to treating children with autism, ADHD, Tourette’s syndrome and other developmental delays.

John Conde offers what he calls “brain-based rehab,” which has been becoming more popular over the past decade as more parents look for alternative treatments for their children.

The idea is that you can focus exercises on certain parts of the brain to make nerve cells grow and talk to each other faster.

John Conde

“That’s autism – the speed of processing is really delayed,” Conde said, which can cause outbursts, awkward behavior, lack of eye contact or other symptoms.

Conde’s practice uses neurological tests (like eye-tracking and balance tests, for example) to find the functional issues.

Then kids come in for hourlong sessions a couple of times a week. It doesn’t replace occupational or physical therapy, but can accompany it. (Some insurance companies cover a portion of the sessions).

The staff also looks at nutrition and any food sensitivities.

Licensed chiropractic neurologists , who are required to  undergo three years of post-doctorate training, do not perform surgery or prescribe medicine.

Conde said some patients see results after a couple of months – improvement in memory, focus, speech and more behavior control.

“We see a lot of kids getting a lot better” – much more functional, Conde said.

In the most dramatic of his cases, a 9-year-old boy who had been mute since birth began to speak.

There is much research – and much controversy – around developmental delays, their causes and treatments. It’s hard for parents to figure out what to try, even what to believe in the wake of the fraudulent studies that purported to link autism to vaccines. (The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends vaccinations).

Conde, who did not vaccinate his two daughters (now ages 4 months and 4 years old), said it was a difficult decision.

“It’s your choice. Parents have to be educated,” he said.

Parents are asking questions: A 2007 survey from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that 87 percent of pediatricians had been asked by parents about alternative and complementary medicine.

Learn More

• Read about some of Conde’s exercises for the brain in 3-Minute Guru.
• Visit  thecondecenter.com.
• Find a guide to special diets on MomsMiami.
• PlayTown Cafe has one night a month reserved for parents and kids with special needs. The next one is 5:30-7:30 p.m. Feb. 2.

The Conde Center is at 401 W. Atlantic Ave., Suite 014, in Delray Beach. Call 561-330-6096.

Passing along this item from Sun-Sentinel.com about a special event this weekend for kids with autism: their own screening of Nanny McPhee Returns.

Lights will be brought up and the sound turned down; no previews or advertisements will be shown; and families can bring their own gluten-free, casein-free snacks.

The nearest participating theater is in Fort Lauderdale. Get all the details at Sun-Sentinel.com.

It’s great to see venues like this making accommodations for special needs kids.