S.M.A.K. Athletics: a fitness program designed for children with special needs | New Canaan & Darien Moms
At S.M.A.K. Athletics, the goal is to provide each individual an environment to learn functional body movements amongst their peers in an environment where they can feel successful.  Our classes incorporate squats, push-ups, pull-ups, plank holds, running, jumping, lunges, and moving weighted objects.  While moving their bodies, S.M.A.K. athletes will engage in a variety of communication skills, including following multi-step verbal directions, taking turns with their peers, sustaining attention to task, requesting, commenting, conversation, and more!
They offer group training and personal training. Class sizes vary from 4-8 with at least 2 coaches.  They currently offer group classes for school-age children, teens, and adults (through STAR)!  Click here to view their class times!​

Photo courtesy of The Hour

Frankie D’Souza is a speech-language pathologist with extensive experience working with school-aged children with a variety of special needs.  She holds a B.A. in Psychology from Fairfield University and a M.S. in speech-language pathology from Southern Connecticut State University.  Frankie began Crossfit four years ago and earned her Crossfit Level 1 and Crossfit Mobility certifications shortly after.  She makes fitness and nutrition priorities in her life, and is passionate about their correlation to physical, cognitive, and emotional health benefits.  Frankie has merged her two passions to form S.M.A.K. Athletics, LLC, and is excited to instill a healthy mindset in all of her members.  Frankie currently resides in Westport, CT and is engaged to be married.
 
Jennifer Fittipaldi is a Speech Language Pathologist who has a unique passion for fitness. Jenn grew up in Eastchester, New York and graduated from Iona College with an undergraduate degree in child psychology and speech and language communication.  She went on to receive her master’s degree from Lehman College.  Prior to moving to New Canaan, Jen worked in various school settings including Scarsdale Elementary School, and the Fred S. Keller School, which is a CABAS (Comprehensive Applied Behavioral Analysis Schooling) program working specially with children on the Autism Spectrum.  Jenn currently works with the Birth to Three population.  Jenn has always had a tremendous passion for fitness and takes great pride in her exercise regime.  As a mother of three (ages 8,6, and 3), she thinks that it is important to include her children in many of her workouts so that they learn at an early age that being active is a lifestyle. She began Crossfit four years ago and shortly after completed her level 1 Crossfit training course. Jenn is eager to provide the community with S.M.A.K. athletics, which couples her love of fitness and her passion for working with children with special needs.

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