Evaluations:
- The Boy was evaluated and diagnosed at the The Children's Evaluation and Rehabilitation Center (CERC) in the Rose F. Kennedy Center building (affiliated with Albert Einstein College of Medicine) building in the Bronx. At the Kennedy Center The Boy received a complete evaluation and was referred to Early Intervention. (The Kennedy Center accepts medicaid and a few other insurances and also works on a sliding scale.) For more information, please call (718) 430-8500. There is a bit of a waiting list and the evaluations take time (ours was between 2 - 3 months), however we received a complete evaluation report with recommendations and support.
- Early Intervention Program- NYS
Schools:
- Harry H. Gordon School - The Harry H. Gordon school (a YAI Network program) in The Bronx is one of the best experiences we've had since The Boy's diagnosis. Whenever I walk in the building, I feel like I'm home. Harry H. Gordon provides EI and CPSE center based programs in addtion to speech, OT and PT. The entire staff is nurturing, supportive and caring. Whenever I've had a concern or issue with The Boy - his teachers have worked with me. (ex. The Boy hates toothbrushing. His teacher incorporated toothbrushing into her lesson plan.) The kids have fun, they go out into the community and the community of Little Italy welcomes them. I know that The Boy wouldn't be where he is today, if not for the Harry H. Gordon school. For more information/admissions process please call (718) 367-5917.
- ASD Nest Program - NYC Public School program. Located in various school throughout the boroughs. To learn more - ASD Nest Brochure
- ASD Nest Support Project - NYU - The ASD Nest Support Project is one of several community-focused programs serving special populations hosted by NYU Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development in the Department of Teaching and Learning, Programs in Special Education. The goal of the ASD Nest Support Project is to advance the development and implementation of educational solutions for children living with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
- ASD Horizon Program - a Public school program "offered primarily in self-contained classes in community schools to students with autism spectrum disorders who work well in a class that has a ratio of eight students and two adults. This program is the result of a collaboration with the New England Center for Children and utilizes a curriculum that is based on the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis whereby students benefit from individualized instructional plans during some parts of the school day." To learn more -ASD Horizon Brochure
- District 75 - Look up District 75 schools by borough.
- Approved private NYC & NY State schools - List
- Approved private schools throughout New York State - also includes of approved schools out of State.
Special Education Law/Resources:
- Advocates for Children - Turning 5: A Guide to Transition from Preschool Education to Kindergarten -- This document is about 30 pages and walks you through the process. The document also lists the contact information for CSE within the 5 boroughs of New York City. Advocates for Children can also provide legal service for families - however, services are based on financial need. It is my understanding that a family of 5 needs to be in the 50,000 annual income range. Please note there is a disclaimer: This guide does not constitute legal advice. This guide attempts to summarize existing policies or laws without stating the opinion of AFC.
- "Creating a Quality IEP" - Individualized Education Program Manual -- Another long document, but it takes you through the requirements and roles of the IEP. As a the parent, you are an equal part of the IEP. Sometimes I think administrators forget that and see you as a more of a formality rather than a voice. Never forget that you have as much of a say as they do. You know your child best. You've seen your child in every enviornment: school, home, with children, alone, with therapists. You have an advantage that no one else in the room has.
- Lewis Johs Avallone Aviles, LLP During the Turning 5 process, I met with several special education attorneys - however, Lewis Johs is the one that I trust and highly recommend. When I met Jennifer Frankola Esq. and Eileen H. Libutti, they were supportive, knowledgeable and genuinely concerned about my son, Norrin. With offices in Manhattan and Long Island they are easily accessible to anyone within the 5 boroughs. For more information, on the Special Education practice at Lewis Johs please go HERE.
- Part 200 (Student with Disabilities) and Part 201 (Procedural Safeguards for Students with Disabilities Subject to Discipline) -- This has been extremely helpful; it is a PDF of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education. (I found the link here.) The document is long (about 200 pgs) but it's important to look through. It goes through Due Process Procedures and the Board of Education Responsibilities and Definitions. I've noted sections in letters to CPSE administrators. Let them know that you know the law. Please note there is a disclaimer: These Rules of the Regents and Regulations of the Commissioner of Education ("regulations") are unofficial, and are presented for general informational purposes as a public service.
Support:
- Parents of ANGELS (Bronx parent support group) Parents of A.N.G.E.L.S. is a not for profit organization located in Bronx N.Y. All of the organizers are parents of children with Autism who volunteer their time to help other parents raise their disabled children. They do not charge for any services. This group is about enriching the lives of children with autism by educating the parents of these children giving them the tools needed to raise a child with autism.
Address Phone Website - Resources for Children with Special Needs - If you have a question or concern. They will have the answer. I've been to few of parent trainings - EXCELLENT! They are located at 116 E. 16th Street - 5th floor, New York, NY 10003. For more information visit their website, call (212) 677 4650 or email info@resourcesnyc.org.
- Sarah Birnbaum - is the founder of New York Special Needs Support. I would be lost during the Turning 5 process if not for her. So many times, I've said (and heard other moms say) "I wish someone could just tell me what to do and I'll do it." For me, Sarah was the voice that I needed. Sarah genuinely cares and she's a mom who has been through the process before. I remember calling Sarah in tears after touring a school, she was the only person who could have calmed me in that moment. If you are transitioning from EI to CPSE or from CPSE to CSE - I strongly recommend giving Sarah a call or attending one of her talks. Sarah may be contacted by phone (212) 666-7299 or via email: sarah@nyspecialneeds.com
Therapies/Respite/Recreation
- ArtsRx - creative arts/music/dance therapy. (Manhattan & Brooklyn)
- Easter Seals
- Gallop NYC Therapeutic Riding - (Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan) "The mission of GallopNYC is to improve the lives of children and adults in New York City facing developmental, emotional, social, and physical challenges through the benefits of therapeutic horseback riding."
- Kicking the Spectrum - (Upper East Side) "Kicking the Spectrum™ helps children reach their potential by practicing martial arts techniques."
- Kids in Motion - located in the Riverdale section of the Bronx, this sensory gym provides OT and Speech services. They are located at 2735 Henry Hudson Pkway. W. Suite 102, Bronx, NY 10463-4701. For more information – please call (718) 601-7400 or email: kidsinmotionot@optonline.net.
- Leake & Watts - Services include Residential Services, Recreation and Respite Services, Supportive Employment Services, and Medicaid Service Coordination.
- NYC Dept of Special Ed. Parent Resources - Related Service Providers
- plai Theatre - "Because of the wide range of challenges faced by children with disabilities, it is understandable that developing physical, emotional and psychological growth must be a parent’s primary concern. Theatre not only provides “quality of life experiences” for severely challenged and lower functioning children but also stimulate, motivate and create relationships between the artists, the participants and the audience."
- SNACK - Special Needs Activity Center for Kids and is on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. SNACK offers a wealth of services (including swimming, soccer and speech). All of the therapists and staff are experienced professionals. The address for: SNACK & Friends, Inc. 220 East 86th Street (Lower Level) - New York, NY 10028. For more information please call (212) 439 - 9996 or email: info@snacknyc.com
Websites:
- Advocates for Children
- All About Kids
- Autism Society Of America
- Autism Speaks
- Autism Speaks en Espanol
- Fun & Function - Specialized toys, games and sensory seeking products are often expensive but very much needed. Fun & Function is a great website with a variety of products - gross & fine motor, oral motor, language, social skills, clothing - all at affordable prices. There is a reward point system & free shipping on orders of $50 or more. (We've ordered so many items from here - items that cost a whole lot more on other sites.) So Fun & Function is definitely a site worth checking out.
- NYSED.gov
- SensaCalm Weighted Blankets - "Looking for a therapeutic weighted blanket to help your child or someone you love to sleep through the night? What about anxiety and stress? Is your child with Autism having melt-downs? Thousands successfully use an Affordable Weighted Blanket as a natural sleep aid, or a meltdown preventer every day. Our weighted blankets are made with the highest quality materials and construction to give you a weighted blanket you and your family will love."
- We Connect Now - The website was created Gabriela McCall Delgado - a college student who received a grant from YP4 to develop a website to serve college students with disabilities. The website was developed in an effort to connect and integrate college students with disabilities as a virtual community with a voice on important issues. We Connect Now website has been up and serving college students with disabilities since April of 2008.
THERE IS STILL MORE TO COME! Keep checking back for updates.
If you would like to have your information posted, please email me at autismwonderland@gmail.com
