Are you looking for the most comprehensive guide to special needs resources in the New York City area? Our NYC special needs guide guide has listings for therapists, special needs camps, medical experts, advocates, and special needs support groups in Brooklyn, Queens, and Manhattan, from Williamsburg to the Upper West Side.
PARENT AND FAMILY SUPPORT
A.P.E.X. PROAUPAIR
949-903-2348
ProAuPair’s Special-Needs Au Pair (SNAP[SM]) Program features candidates with a degree in fields like Occupational Therapy, Pediatric Nursing, or Special Education from their home country. Our young special-needs professionals provide flexible live-in child care up to 45 hours/week, in return for the opportunity to experience life in the US, and to gain work experience by caring for your children and observing your children’s therapies. It's a win-win for all parties. A.P.E.X. ProAuPair: Affordable – Flexible – Safe.
CHALLENGE EARLY INTERVENTION CENTER
Executive Office: 649 39th St., Brooklyn, NY 11232
Queens Office: 72-38 Main St., Flushing, NY 11367
Staten Island: 1911 Richmond Ave. Staten Island, NY 10314
718-851-3300
Twenty-five years of excellence! Multilingual developmental evaluations, early intervention, ABA, daycare and inclusion programs for children ages birth-3 in home, community, and our center. Contracted with NYC Early Intervention Program. Speech-language, occupational, physical therapies, special instruction, ABA, assistive technology, service coordination, more. Support groups, educational workshops, social work, counseling services for families. No out-of-pocket cost to parents. Challenge provides an intensive, behaviorally based program for children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
HELPING HANDS CHILDREN SERVICES
160 E. Main St., Rear Building, Huntington
631-659-3337
Helping Hands Children Services is a dedicated organization that puts students’ progress above all else. Our highly trained providers use Applied Behavior Analysis to help students learn, grow, and overcome behavioral challenges. We have been in business for a decade, and are trusted by over 45 school districts. Our expert team has helped hundreds of students. The Executive Director has a PhD in Educational Psychology, is a BCBA-D, and has 22 years of experience.
HOSPITAL CLINIC HOME CENTER (HCHC)
Leviton Building, 585 Schenectady Ave., #403, Brooklyn
718-604-5283
HCHC Tutorial Services offers a unique alternative for children having difficulties learning to read. Once their professionals determine your child’s specific learning issues, they will use their combined expertise to create a powerful programmatic, technological, and developmental experience designed exclusively for your child. HCHC, Inc. has been in business for 37 years working with normal, disabled, and autistic youngsters. For more information, call Anna at 718-604-5283 or email hchctutoringservices@yahoo.com.
MARCH OF DIMES NEW YORK DIVISION
515 Madison Ave., New York
212-353-8353
The March of Dimes is the leading nonprofit organization for pregnancy and baby health. With chapters nationwide, and its premier event, March for Babies, the March of Dimes works to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth, and infant mortality. More than 4 million babies were born in the United States last year, and March of Dimes helped each and every one of them through 75 years of research, education, vaccines, and breakthroughs.
MINI MORE
347-882-8804
Email minimorellc@gmail.com
Finding quality childcare can be a challenge for any parent, especially when that family includes a child with special needs. Many parents compromise outside commitments, often sacrificing their own well-being. That's where Mini More steps in! Give us 24 hours and we’ll find you an experienced, qualified babysitter based on your family's needs. Our database is filled with teachers, paraprofessionals, occupational therapists, and other qualified sitters who truly understand the unique needs of your child.
SONALI ZORACKI, LCSW
917-274-7248
Email sonali@sonalizoracki.com
Sonali Zoracki, LCSW, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 10 years experience working with children with special medical, developmental, and emotional needs, and their families. Sonali believes that it is very important for parents to attend to their own emotional health, and to that end, provides individual and couples counseling to parents and caregivers. She also runs weekly support groups for parents and leads workshops on topics like stress reduction and sibling support.
RECREATION/SOCIALIZATION PROGRAMS
BROOKLYN PUBLIC LIBRARY
2065 Flatbush Ave., Brooklyn
718-253-4948
718-253-5034
718-252-1520
The Child's Place for Children with Special Needs welcomes all children and families, providing literacy based inclusive recreational programs for children and workshops for their families. Children with and without disabilities can hear stories, make music, play garden and volunteer together. For parents of children with special needs we offer workshops on a wide range of topics. Our 5,000 volume exceptional parenting collection provides information on every aspect of raising a child with a disability.
CAMP ALTITUDE
Drew University, Madison
914-307-1674
We offer a two-week traditional summer camp experience for children with social cognitive challenges, entering grades 6-12. We are committed to providing a safe, fun, and rewarding summer experience that promotes growth and enrichment in the areas of social learning, executive functioning, and independent living skills. June 30-July 13 at Drew University in Madison, New Jersey.
CHATTY CHILD SPEECH THERAPY, PLLC
350 Broadway, Suite 905 (Bet. Franklin & Leonard Streets), New York
347-491-4451
Chatty Child Speech Therapy is a private therapeutic center in downtown Manhattan offering comprehensive speech therapy evaluations, and individual and small group treatment sessions. We specialize in treating children with delays in speech, articulation, auditory processing, language development, feeding, fluency, and socialization. We offer PROMPT services and treat issues of apraxia of speech and Autism. Chatty Child has added Occupational Therapist Sonya Kashlan M.S., OTR/L. She is a sensory integration specialist and Handwriting Without Tears-certified.
HEARTSHARE HUMAN SERVICES OF NEW YORK
12 MetroTech Center, 29th Fl., Brooklyn
718-422-4200
HeartShare has been serving the needs of the community since 1914. Its wide array of services assist individuals with autism spectrum disorders and other developmental disabilities through numerous programs including: pre-school and school-age education services, adult day programs, residential services, Medicaid service coordination, respite/recreation programs, family support services, Fragile X information, and health services. HeartShare is committed to excellent services that enable individuals to reach their fullest potential and lead meaningful lives.
JCC THERAPEUTIC NURSERY SCHOOL (CHILDREN AGES 2-5)
411 E. Clinton Ave., NJ
201-408-1497
Lois Mendelson, PhD, Director
Email tn@jccotp.org
Communication-based parent/child program for intelligent pre-school children ages 2-5 with language disorders, emotional disturbances, learning disabilities, attention deficits, or autistic behaviors. This rigorous social skills program helps children develop play skills and the capacity to socialize. Communicative language, self-help skills, emotional growth, socialization and behavioral management also stressed. Licensed for the handicapped, receiving school for many school districts. Speech/Language/Occupational Therapy and parent counseling provided. Also available is a Mommy & Me Toddler Socialization Class for 2-3 year olds.
KIDS LEARNING LOFT
436 Willis Ave., 3rd Fl., Williston Park
516-741-0729
Email kidslearningloft@gmail.com
Kids Learning Loft provides various unique education and behavior intervention services to school-aged children with developmental and social disabilities, specializing in individuals with autism spectrum disorder and ADD/ADHD. The programs offered are designed by Board Certified Behavior Analysts, utilizing the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis. Services include social skills classes with peer models, school district and in home behavior consultation, and much more. Experience the gold standard of ABA and “Break through at the Loft.”
LLINGSWORTH MUSIC
Email frdde8@aol.com
Fred Ellis, a NYC elementary music teacher and music therapist, debuts his CD of original songs. His objectives are to not only teach musical skills and knowledge, but to help children develop their mental, physical, communication, and social, skills. The CD can be used to reach these objectives. The songs are designed to encourage socialization, love, and respect for cultural diversity. Through music, we, as people, can form one big family. Available at www.fredellis.com/www.itunes.com/www.cdbaby.com/www.amazon.com
THE SCHOOL AT THE MARK MORRIS DANCE CENTER
3 Lafayette Ave., Fort Green
718-624-8400
The School reflects the spirit of the Mark Morris Dance Group in its celebration of dance and music. Classes are offered for ages 4-17 on a full-year basis in Creative Dance, Modern Dance, Ballet, Jazz/Hip-Hop, Tap Dance, African Dance, and Music and Singing, as well as Dance FUNdamentals, a class for kids with disabilities, ages 11-17. Parent/Toddler Movement and New Mom and Baby Workshops for children below 4 years old are also offered.
SOSMART KIDS, INC.
Located in: Vee Arnis Jitsu, 4202 Ave. U (across from Kings Plaza), Brooklyn
917-359-2279
Created by a mother of a child with special needs. SoSMArT Kids is a fitness program that uses fun exercises, martial arts and kickboxing, breathing, and calming techniques in a small, controlled, bright environment. Our classes have helped improve attention, focus, and social skills. Classes include children with sensory issues, ADHD, high functioning autism, "typical" functioning, or siblings that may need a smaller fitness class.
THE GUTTENBERG CENTER FOR SPECIAL SERVICES
411 E. Clinton Ave., Tenafly
201-408-1489
Shelley Levy, Director
Features more than 70 programs and camps for people with developmental and cognitive learning differences and autistic spectrum disorders, including Asperger’s Syndrome, PDD-NOS, ADD, and ADHD. Classes feature special life skills and vocational training, social skills, academic enrichment, and more. Computer classes, yoga, cooking, fitness, movement, music, art, community trips, and more. Mainstreaming and inclusion opportunities provided where appropriate. Special Games Field Day and art show offered as well. JCC membership not required for participation. Financial aid available.
SCHOOLS
AARON SCHOOL
212-867-9594
K-7, 309 E. 45th St.
New York, NY 10017
8-12, 42 E. 30th St.
New York, NY 10016
Email Admissions: lgardner@aaronschool.org
Aaron School is a private, K-12-accredited, special-education school in Manhattan whose mission is to education children in a meaningful learning environment, so they can maximize their potential and become confident, successful citizens of their school and community. Aaron serves children with language, learning, attention, and social challenges. We have been recently featured on foxnews.com, abcnews.com and NY1. Aaron is dedicated to providing a nurturing, skill-based, developmentally appropriate education based on students’ individual needs.
THE ETHICAL COMMUNITY CHARTER SCHOOL
700 Park Ave., Brooklyn
718-599-2176
TECCS is a safe and caring community where ethics, service, and social justice are the principles that inform every aspect of school life; where teachers lead and collaborate with students in a culture of rigorous academics and mutual respect; where analytical thinking and creativity are prized; where children become individuals of integrity, insight, autonomy—and socially productive citizens, workers, and leaders.
JCC THERAPEUTIC NURSERY SCHOOL (CHILDREN AGES 2-5)
411 E. Clinton Ave., NJ
201-408-1497
Lois Mendelson, PhD, Director
Email tn@jccotp.org
Communication-based parent/child program for intelligent pre-school children ages 2-5 with language disorders, emotional disturbances, learning disabilities, attention deficits, or autistic behaviors. This rigorous social skills program helps children develop play skills and the capacity to socialize. Communicative language, self-help skills, emotional growth, socialization and behavioral management also stressed. Licensed for the handicapped, receiving school for many school districts. Speech/Language/Occupational Therapy and parent counseling provided. Also available is a Mommy & Me Toddler Socialization Class for 2-3 year olds.
JUDGE ROTENBERG CENTER
250 Turnpike St., Canton
877-31-CHILD
The Judge Rotenberg Center (JRC) is a special needs school in Canton, Massachusetts, serving both emotionally disturbed students with conduct, behavior, emotional, and/or psychiatric problems and developmentally delayed students with autistic-like behaviors. Some of our key features include consistent behavioral treatment, no or minimal psychotropic medication, near-zero rejections/near-zero expulsions, powerful varied rewards, one computer per student, and digital video monitoring. For a more detailed list of JRC's key features, please visit our website at judgerc.org.
OWL ABOUT BOOKS PUBLISHER, INC.
PO Box 897, Joshua
682-553-9078
Owl About Books Publisher, Inc. specializes in beautifully illustrated reading resources for parents of children with special needs. Our Educational Series philosophy is best described by the company’s motto, “Children’s learning has no limits…” Our books can be read by children themselves, or may be read to them by parents or attending personnel. We work with teachers and staff members at schools, libraries, facilities for children with special needs, and faith-based entities nationwide.
THE WHITESTONE SCHOOL FOR CHILD DEVELOPMENT
14-45 143rd St., Whitestone
718-746-6555
The Whitestone School for Child Development is a highly regarded special education preschool, for children ages 3-5. The school provides a quality program of educational and therapeutic services in English or Spanish, including evaluations, speech, physical, occupational therapies, and counseling. On-going support and encouragement is provided to the children and their families from dedicated teachers and therapists. Individualized attention is offered to help each child reach his/her potential in a warm, supportive, and caring environment.
WINSTON PREPARATORY SCHOOL
126 W. 17th St., New York
646-638-2705
57 W. Rocks Road
Norwalk, CT 06851
203-229-0465
Winston Prep is a highly individualized, responsive setting for high-potential middle and high school students with learning differences, such as language-based learning difficulties, nonverbal learning difficulties, and attention deficit and executive functioning difficulties. The program is designed to challenge strengths while remediating areas of need. Small classes help to facilitate the individualization of course work. Students participate in a daily one-to-one instructional period called Focus, designed to serve as the diagnostic and mentoring centerpiece.
SENSORY INTEGRATION
CHEWY TUBES
PO Box 2289, S. Portland
207-741-2443
Email info@chewytubes.com
Chewy Tubes are innovative oral motor devices designed to provide a resilient, non-food, chewable surface for practicing biting and chewing skills. Chewy Tubes have been designed to be used with the new Jaw Rehabilitation Program, a patented methodology offered by Speech Pathology Associates, LLC, to develop jaw motion for biting and chewing skills. Chewy Tubes offer a safe, non-toxic surface for developing biting and chewing skills. Chewy Tubes are latex-free and lead-free.
RUN JUMP ROLL LLC
433 3rd Ave., Suite 2 , Brooklyn
347-227-7748
Run Jump Roll is a pediatric practice/sensory gym offering occupational therapy, physical therapy and speech-language therapy. Experienced occupational therapists address sensory processing dysfunction, neuro-developmental disorders, and handwriting difficulties via Ayres Sensory Integration Therapy, modulation techniques, muscle strengthening, handwriting interventions, and yoga/relaxation. We work closely with families and emphasize generalization of skills attained in private treatment rooms to peer interactions in our open space. Private evaluations/therapy and CPSE/CSE related services available.
ST. MARY'S KIDS AT ROSLYN
1 Expressway Plaza, Suite 106, Roslyn Heights
516-621-2681
St. Mary's Kids at Roslyn helps children with developmental needs reach their full potential. Our therapy center and sensory integration facility, staffed by occupational, physical, speech and feeding therapists, social workers and special educators, provides evaluations, individualized treatment and consultation. As the only facility of its kind with the support of a major healthcare system for children with special needs, we offer the most comprehensive range of resources to help children reach every developmental milestone.
SERVING MULTIPLE DISABILITIES/OFFERING A VARIETY OF SERVICES
APTEKAR, DORIS M., PHD
School Psychologist/Bilingual Psychologist, Licensed Mental Health Counselor,
516-484-6351
Email doctordorisma@gmail.com
Dr. Aptekar has more than 35 years experience working as a school psychologist, psychotherapist and hypnotherapist with children and adults of varying needs. Dr. Aptekar works in groups or individually to help you and your loved ones achieve goals such as motivation, socialization, self-esteem, academic achievement, social judgment, and more. She has worked with all age groups and with the special needs population. Dr. Aptekar also performs complete psycho-educational evaluations.
BRAIN ABILITIES
444 Lakeville Road, Suite 103, Lake Success
516-208-9360
There are no simple solutions when it comes to ADD/ADHD, autism/Asperger's, learning disabilities, or processing disorders. Complex issues require comprehensive integrative solutions and that is exactly what we provide at Brain Abilities. A simple phone call is all it takes to find out exactly how we have helped hundreds of children/families. Call 516-208-9360 today to see how we can help your family. Visit brainabilities.com for more information as well.
CHALLENGE EARLY INTERVENTION CENTER
Executive Office: 649 39th St., Brooklyn, NY 11232
Queens Office: 72-38 Main St., Flushing, NY 11367
Staten Island: 1911 Richmond Ave. Staten Island, NY 10314
718-851-3300
Twenty-five years of excellence! Multilingual developmental evaluations, early intervention, ABA, daycare and inclusion programs for children ages birth-3 in home, community, and our center. Contracted with NYC Early Intervention Program. Speech-language, occupational, physical therapies, special instruction, ABA, assistive technology, service coordination, more. Support groups, educational workshops, social work, counseling services for families. No out-of-pocket cost to parents. Challenge provides an intensive, behaviorally based program for children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
DENISE MAKES CAKES
917-689-4857
Email denisemakescakes@gmail.com
Denise Makes Cakes has the perfect cake for you. Creating delicious memories one cake at a time! Celebrate in style with a beautifully designed cake! We offer formal and whimsical designs, all baked with the finest ingredients to ensure that your cake tastes as good as it looks. In addition to cakes, we also make custom cupcakes, cookies, chocolate party favors, and more! Please contact us at Denisemakescakes@gmail.com or 917-689-4857.
HEARTSHARE HUMAN SERVICES OF NEW YORK
12 MetroTech Center, 29th Fl., Brooklyn
718-422-4200
HeartShare has been serving the needs of the community since 1914. Its wide array of services assist individuals with autism spectrum disorders and other developmental disabilities through numerous programs including: pre-school and school-age education services, adult day programs, residential services, Medicaid service coordination, respite/recreation programs, family support services, Fragile X information, and health services. HeartShare is committed to excellent services that enable individuals to reach their fullest potential and lead meaningful lives.
LEAPS AND BOUNDS PT AND OT, PLLC
21-14 Newtown Ave., Astoria
718-545-0958
290 Community Drive?
Great Neck, NY 11201
Email leapsandboundz@yahoo.com
Leaps and Bounds is a therapist owned and operated multidisciplinary pediatric rehabilitation center. Besides traditional physical and occupational therapy, we specialize in an Intensive Therapy Program modeled after innovative European techniques incorporating the use of the TheraSuit Method™ to foster accelerated acquisition of skill development and reaching of developmental milestones for children with various neuromuscular disorders, such as Cerebral Palsy. Two convenient locations in Astoria 718-545-0958 and Great Neck 516-304-5530.
SPEECH PATHOLOGY AND SWALLOWING DISORDERS SERVICE OF NASSAU
3375 Park Ave., Suite 4010, Wantagh
516-221-3653
444 Lakeville Road, Suite 104
Lake Success, NY 11040
516-216-1791
500 N. Broadway, Suite 141
Jericho, NY 11753
516-597-4344
Janine Stiene, speech-language pathologist, is owner and operator of Speech Pathology and Swallowing Disorders Service of Nassau. Along with her group of therapists, she supports families and children, specializing in PROMPT, feeding, myofunctional therapy, voice disorders, fluency, augmentative communication, articulation, auditory processing disorders and expressive/receptive language disorders (adults and children). Also offered are intensive feeding groups for individuals who suffer from texture and consistency aversions. There are four other affiliated offices across Long Island.
ST. MARY'S HEALTHCARE SYSTEM FOR CHILDREN
29-01 216th St., Bayside
718-281-8800
5 Dakota Drive, Suite 200
New Hyde Park, NY 11042
718-281-8600
St. Mary's is a leader in intensive rehabilitation, specialized medical care, and education for children with special needs and medically complex conditions. We help improve the health and quality of life for children and their families throughout the metro New York area by providing family-centered care at our state-of-the-art inpatient facility, St. Mary's Hospital for Children, at home care, and in the community. At St. Mary's, we believe in possible.
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