There are so many wonderful programs to take advantage of in our area. If you hear of any others, please let us know!  

AHA Asperger Syndrome & High Functioning Autism Association- To attain appropriate educational programs, effective social skills training, increased social and recreational opportunities, meaningful employment, and sufficient and satisfactory independent living accommodations for those with High Functioning Autism (HFA).

ASPIRE CENTER FOR LEARNING - Their social skills groups use evidence-based approaches and often combine Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Michelle Garcia Winner's Social Thinking Model. To register/inquire about any of the groups, and to learn about cost, please send an email to: aspirecenterforlearning@gmail.com or call (631) 923-0923.

BACKYARD PLAYERS & FRIENDS - Is an inclusive arts-based community program, open to the public, for people of all abilities.

BEST BUDDIES - The mission of Best Buddies is to establish a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment and leadership development for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Garden City District's has two chapters, one in the Middle School and one in the High School. Please call the buildings for details.

BEYOND BOUNDARIES THERAPY - Beyond Boundaries: Therapy for Kids is proud to provide comprehensive evaluations and therapy services to children and families in Western New York. They offer services in the areas of speech and language pathology, occupational therapy, physical therapy, social work, special instruction, family training and assistive technology.

BLUE UMBRELLA EXPERIENCE - Offering a variety of interactive and engaging community classes for youth and young adults. Above and Beyond Community Classes, Inc. initiative, BUE will be focused on providing accessible, interactive and enriching community class opportunities.

BONNIE JAN., LLC Socialization Specialist - Bonnie Jan is a socialization specialist who facilitates social skills and self-esteem enhancement groups for children and young adults. With a particular focus on the needs of children ages 4-21 who have been diagnosed with ADHD, bipolar depression, twice-exceptionality, Tourette's, OCD, ODD, anxiety, and autistic spectrum disorder, Bonnie has been the coordinator of diverse group programs that cover disability awareness, sexual education, child abuse prevention, and the protection of disabled adults in the workplace.

NASSAU BOCES - Established in 1967, the Board of Cooperative Educational Services of Nassau County (Nassau BOCES) is the largest BOCES in New York State. Serving 56 school districts in Nassau County, our mission has always been to enhance public education and the opportunities available to students of all ages and abilities by providing access to innovative and cost-effective services.

THE CHILD STUDY CENTER at NYU LANGONE MEDICAL CENTER - offers a wide range of mental health services for children, adolescents, young adults, and families. Whether your child has been diagnosed with a psychiatric illness, a learning disorder, or you are concerned about how he or she is functioning at home, in school, or with friends, they can help.

THE CHILDREN'S SANGHA -Workshops introduce individual students and their families to a variety of topics, learning methods and tools that can be instrumental in determining how they learn best and to help direct their own learning process to achieve greater success in accord with our Different Abilities Development Model. We strive to help restore meaning to learning and increase student potential and outcomes.

THE CENTER FOR DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES is committed to its mission of helping children and adults with differing abilities achieve their dreams by overcoming barriers to living, working, learning and enjoying recreational opportunities in the community of their choice.

COLLABORATION STATION INC. - strives to provide meaningful, practical, and transferable skills to individuals of varied abilities. Collaboration Station works diligently to ensure individuals have the opportunity to explore, develop and implement skills and knowledge throughout a wide array of interests in the most inclusive and positive environment possible.

DISCOVERY SQUAD - The American Museum of Natural History offers a unique program designed for families affected by autism spectrum disorders. On selected Saturday mornings, children on the autism spectrum ages 5-14, accompanied by an adult, can attend a 40 minute tour lead by specially trained Museum tour guides, then spend some time exploring the Discovery Room before the museum opens to the public.

DOG ABILITY CENTER - 153 South Broadway, Hicksville, NY 11801 - DogAbility Center offers innovative canine-assisted activities, using certified therapy dogs and skilled handlers, designed to meet the needs of individuals and groups of children and adults. These activities afford comfort, inspiration, socialization and recreation to better the lives of people in the community with and without special needs. DogAbility Center is currently an all-volunteer program. Our staff includes professionals in canine behavior and therapy dog handling, veterinary specialists, educators, psychotherapists and others with specific skills and talents. Click for details on current programs Literacy Partners and visit our events page for details on their February vacation week program.

DRAMA KIDS - Enthusiastic students who learn to speak out clearly and relate confidently with others will have an inside track to lifetime success. Drams Kids develops all kids. It is a place where all children, from the shy to the outgoing can develop at their own pace, with plenty of positive encouragement. Using a wide range of unique drama activities to focus the bold, outspoken child and to draw out the quiet child or the inarticulate child and help them reach into themselves to discover their full potential.

THE FAMILY CENTER FOR ACHIEVEMENT - The Family Center for Achievement, centrally located in Garden City, is a home-away-from-home for people with developmental disabilities and autism. Offering programs and services to help advance skills, improve socialization and provide support, the FCA is “The Light at the End of the Spectrum” for people with special needs and their families.

THE FRIEDBERG JCC - The Friedberg JCC offers programs for individuals with special needs of all ages. Our goal is for children, teens, and adults to develop social and life skills, while making new friends, enhancing their self-esteem, and gaining independence. Contact Marcy Hallerman, Program Director for Social and Support Services, 516-634-4173 for details.

FRIEND ZONE KIDS - Social Skills Group for children between the ages of 5 and 14. The goal is to provide a guided, nurturing environment in which social skills can be developed and practiced though interaction with peers. Groups are formed based on age and interest. Call 516-569-2824 or click here for details.

GAME-U GAME-U is a unique community class designed by game industry professionals that teaches students of all abilities how to design and build their own video games. They teach all aspects of game development including coding, graphic design, 3d modeling and more. New location Valley Stream. Classes are open to students of all ages and abilities. (Self Direction accepted).

HOFSTRA UNIVERSITY - Children's Socialization Group. This weekly psycho-educational group focuses on building self-esteem, confidence and increasing attention skills in children.

JOURNEY PREP SCHOOL - Long Island's Most Comprehensive School for Dyslexia and Language - Based Learning Differences (631) 736-2146, Farmingdale, NY


KEEP MOVING FORWARD, INC. is a state of the art, intensive physical therapy outpatient center, located right in Garden City (306 Nassau Boulevard South). KMF provides individualized intensive physical therapy strengthening programs for children and adults with neurological and developmental delays through the use of the TheraSuit & Universal Exercise Unit. All treatments are provided one-on-one with customized treatment plans using a vartiety of techniques and tools to maximize function. For more information or to schedule your evaluation, please feel free to contact us at (516) 208-2100, email info@keepmovingforward.info.

KIDS LEARNING LOFT- is a private facility in Nassau county providing various unique education and behavior intervention services to school aged children. KLL specializes in children with developmental disabilities, specifically autism spectrum. They have also expanded their strategies in working with individuals with ADD/ADHD and typically developing children with social or academic difficulties.

K.I.S.S. CENTER The Mid-Island Y JCC, Mid Island Y, Plainview has been awarded a grant from the Family Support Services Department of the New York State Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD). The grant will enable children who have been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorders to participate in vacation respite at a subsidized rate. Certain eligibility status and documentation is required. Please contact Joanna at 516-822-3535 x332 or visit their site.

THE MOVE MUSIC & EDUCATION PRESENTS: The Fully Interactive DJ & Music Experience. Every student’s curriculum is customized and structured based on skill level and concept learning. We emphasize personal growth, social responsibility, employment goals and developing independence through musical experiences! After school group class and private lessons are available. Self-Direction programs are supported with Direct Billing.

NEW FRONTIERS IN LEARNING - Is a support program for middle school, high school and college students of all ability levels, including students diagnosed with various learning differences as well as those who may simply benefit from some assistance developing time management, organizational, financial management, or related executive functioning skills.

NICHOLAS CENTER FOR AUTISM in Port Washington New York, is a nonprofit life skills center and service agency which primarily serves individuals with autism and similar disorders, ages 15 to young adulthood.

OCCUPATIONAL OCTAVES SCHOOL OF MUSIC Special Needs & Traditional Piano, Drums, Guitar, Bass, Vocal Lessons & More!

PATH 2 POTENTIAL is a leading autism treatment provider that assists children with autism spectrum disorder, social deficits and other conditions to reach their full potential. The P2P team is comprised of passionate and experienced Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst (BCaBA) and Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) providers who deliver comprehensive autism therapy, utilizing applied behavior analysis, or ABA.

PHYSICAL THERAPY OPTIONS, PC is a private, out-patient physical therapy practice located in the heart of Garden City, treating all kinds of sports injuries, orthopedic, and neurological conditions. They focus on adult and pediatric populations.

POP.EARTH Short for a Population Earth, Pop Earth is non-profit focused on providing holistic health treatments and options for those with special needs, including Autism & other developmental disorders. We are based on Long Island, New York and have partners all across the country.

THE REBECCA CENTER FOR MUSIC THERAPY AT MOLLOY COLLEGE - Programs are individualized and specifically designed for children, adolescents, and adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders, Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD), Asperger's Syndrome, Down's syndrome, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), learning disabilities and other developmental or emotional challenges.

THE REBECCA CENTER AT MOLLOY COLLEGE - Certified DIRFloortime Center - Providing parenting coaching and Floortime services. This service is for providers and parents. See the attached DIRFloortime Brochure for more information on their Floortime model.

SHERRYBERRY JOYFUL ART CLASSES FOR YOUR KIDS Recreational art classes, open to the public, encourage creativity and help with focus, eye/hand coordination, muscle strengthening and communication challenges. Individualized Sessions approved for self-direction funding (ask for FREE TRIAL). Year round, now including after-camp and school, late afternoon hours. Ages 4 & up. Rolling registration. For info: 516.637.9854 sbwallack@gmail.com

SOUL MATES FOR THE YOUNG SOUL The JCC of the Greater Five Towns is fully committed to providing unique and creative programming for those with special needs. Soul Mates is an innovative program for high functioning teens and young adults with a variety of special needs ages 14-22. The program is designed to expose the participants to an array of artistic therapies including music, drama, art and yoga. Please contact gayle.fremed@fivetownsjcc.org for more information. 

TALENT DEVELOPMENT CONNECTION (TDC) - Talent Development Connection (TDC), offers inclusive mentor-supported and facilitated programming for bright, inquisitive children and teens ages 5 - 17. Activities are available both online and onsite to provide flexible programming that is emotionally and physically safe and comfortable. Onsite programs are held in and out of doors in an environmentally adaptive maker space. TDC was created to provide a growing community of support, understanding, and mutual respect.

TECH KIDS UNLIMITED  is a not-for-profit technology-based educational organization for kids ages 8 to 18 with special needs, which empowers and inspires the next generation of digital natives to learn, create, develop and share the tools of technology.

THERESA ACADEMY FOR PERFORMING ARTS (TAPA) - Their mission is to provide quality extracurricular programs in the performing and fine arts to children and young adults with differing abilities, their siblings and friends.

VARIETY CHILD LEARNING CENTER provides special education services and therapies (Respite, Sibling groups, Social Skill Programs, etc.) for children with learning disabilities including autism from infancy to age seven. Click here for current schedule 2016 FALL Saturday Enrichment Packet & application.

VINCENT SMITH SCHOOL - is a co-ed, independent, special education school for grades 1-12, serving Nassau, Suffolk, and New York City students since 1924. They specialize in students with AD/HD, anxiety, school avoidance and learning difficulties such as dyslexia, and auditory & language processing disorders.

WINSTON PREPARATORY SCHOOL - is an innovative day school for students in the 4th through 12th grade with learning differences such as dyslexia, nonverbal learning disabilities, and executive functioning difficulties. Their unique model of education for the individual provides intense skill remediation while encouraging students to build independence, resilience, responsibility, self-awareness, and self-advocacy. They do this through a process that understands each student, individualizes a program to meet their needs and continually refines this program based on individual progress, while building a powerful sense of community. (Summer Enrichment programs are also available).

HEALTH AND SAFETY

CENTRAL NASSAU GUIDANCE AND COUNSELING SERVICES - Each year, an estimated 432,000 Long Island residents suffer from some form of mental health disorder. But many suffer in silence because most can't ask for help, especially those who need help the most. That's why it is so important for friends, families, and neighbors to be the voice of those who can't or won't seek help for themselves.

R.E.A.C.H. PROGRAM (Return Every Adult & Child Home) - The REACH registry is a law enforcement-maintained database of children and adults with cognitive disorders that make them more likely to become a missing person and that potentially limit their ability to communicate. Individuals who are affected by Alzheimera's, dementia, autism, Down Syndrome, mental disabilities, traumatic brain injuries, etc. are examples of people who are prime candidates for the registry. This database is maintained by the Asset Forfeiture and Intelligence unit at the Police Academy and includes photographs, biographical information, and other information pertinent for locating and dealing with registrants such as likely destinations and idiosyncrasies. The REACH registry is an expansion of the Silver Alert System that also assists the Department with a swift response to missing person calls.

SMART 911 -The Nassau County Police Department has developed "Smart 911" which allows residents to create a free Safety Profile for themselves and family members that includes information they feel would be necessary for 9-1-1 to have in an emergency. Details, such as family members' names, photos, medical conditions, and allergies, along with emergency contacts, will be immediately available to 9-1-1 when a call is placed. To register, click here.

WINTHROP UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL NEW DOWN SYNDROME PROGRAM -The Winthrop Down Syndrome Program (WDSP) provides compassionate, comprehensive and coordinated care for children with Down syndrome. The uniqueness of the program is that the patient is able to see a variety of specialists during the initial visit at the Research and Academic Center of Winthrop University Hospital. The objective of the visit is to identify the age specific needs and address medical issues using a multidisciplinary team approach. Click here to read more about our new program!

WINTHROP UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL S.T.A.R. PROGRAM - The STAR program provides enhanced care for children with special needs. When your child is hospitalized or has a procedure at Winthrop, he or she will be paired with a Child Life Team member. Team members are specially trained in child behavior, development and the care of children with complex medical and behavioral issues. Their mission is to provide the highest quality care to all children with chronic care needs (Autism Spectrum and Down Syndrome) newborns through 18, in a compassionate, family-centered, coordinated care environment. To enroll your child click here.