Our Special Child Digital Issue is here!
Did you know being a parent with a child with Special Needs is your superpower? Because once your child is challenged in some way, whether speech, Occupational Therapy, needing support for ADHD or Autism or other challenging needs, it is you who does the research and finds the resources to support them.
And as editors and parents of kids who have a range of special needs, we get it, which only adds to why we care about providing stories, articles and guides to support you. Please check out our Special Child Digital Issue and Resource Listings to help you on your parenting journey.
Special Needs Resources
A Very Special Place
49 Cedar Grove Ave., 10306
info@avspny.org
avspny.org
A Very Special Place, Inc. (AVSP) was established in 1974 as a not-for-profit organization and today serves more than 1,600 people in Staten Island, Brooklyn and Manhattan. AVSP provides a comprehensive network of programs and services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. Programs include day habilitation, residential, self-direction, respite and community habilitation. With the guidance and support offered at AVSP, people of all ages find opportunities to achieve independence and self-fulfillment.
CrimsonRise
1015 Castleton Avenue, 10310
info@crimsonrise.org
crimsonrise.org
CrimsonRise is a nonprofit organization for nonverbal autistic children and adults to help them get communication access. They serve autistic individuals, ages 5+, who have sensory, movement and communication differences. CrimsonRise teaches these individuals how to Spell to Communicate (S2C). S2C is a method that teaches the purposeful motor to point to letters on a letterboard or keyboard to enable nonspeakers (formally called nonverbal) to communicate.
Cultivating Independence in All Children
347-620-0511
Jaclyn Shaw’s store, Cultivating Independence in All Children, holds hundreds of downloadable activities and toolkits for fun and interactive sessions. As a master-level behavior therapist, Jaclyn’s experience ranges from neurotypical children to supported persons with ID or autism. Her weekly social skills acquisition groups are tailored for individuals with ID, TBI, or autism – utilizing precision teaching methods to enhance communication fluency, engagement, self-awareness, empathy, and socialization skills. Skill acquisition programs generally span 3-6 months.
Dr. Phyllis G. Merlino
Todt Hill Pediatric Dentistry
268 Todt Hill Road, 10314
718-761-2090
drmerlino.com
Dr. Phyllis G. Merlino, a Board Certified Pediatric Dentist treats children of all ages and is specially trained to treat patients with special physical, mental and healthcare needs in a calm and caring atmosphere. The office is committed to quality dental services that ensure your child continues on the path toward a bright future of good oral health. Children are not always willing to visit the dentist and Dr. Merlino strives to make the experience of each visit more positive for them.
Early Start
718-887 5128
ei@earlystartinc.com
earlystartinc.com
Serving Staten Island and Brooklyn. Early Start is an Early Intervention Program that provides home-based evaluations and therapeutic services for children from birth to 3 years old. They have been providing Speech/Feeding, Physical, Occupational and ABA therapy for 30 years.Dr. Vetere the Director specializes in the assessment and diagnosis of ASD. Serving Staten Island families since 1993.
First Foot Forward
1466 Manor Rd.
1297 Arthur Kill Rd.
2221 Richmond Ave.
718-701-0268
mkahn@sijcc.com
sijcc.org/first-foot-forward.html
First Foot Forward is a preschool program for children 2.6 to 5 years old with developmental needs. Their individualized curriculum allows children to reach their full potential in a nurturing environment. New York City and State fund programming. All services (evaluations, transportation, tuition) are at no direct cost to parents.
Guiga Law PLLC
1682 Victory Boulevard, 10314
929-415-8700
planyourwholelife.com
Guiga Law is dedicated to providing parents with peace of mind knowing that your children with special needs will be well taken care of if you are unable to care for them yourself. Guiga Law offers a variety of estate planning tools designed to help you choose future guardians to care for your children and pass on assets so your children can live a quality life without jeopardizing government benefits.
James P. Murphy Staten Island Preparatory School
23 Summit Street,10307
718-285-9377
ahrcnyc.org
AHRC NYC James P. Murphy Staten Island Prep is a preschool and school-age program for students with disabilities from 3-13 years of age. The school meets student’s individual learning needs using a multisensory approach in congruence with ABA programming while implementing the Next Generation Learning Standards. Classroom ratios are 6:1:2/8:1:2 in the preschool classrooms, and 8:1:3/10:1:2 in the school-age classrooms. In addition, SIP offers related services such as speech, OT, PT, and counseling within the building.
Marvin’s Camp for Children with Special Needs
1301 Manor Road, 10314
718-475-5268
lirizarry@sijcc.com
camp.sijcc.org
Marvin’s Camp for Children with Special Needs is committed to providing an educational, creative, social, and safe environment for kids and teens with disabilities. All Marvin’s programs are led by highly experienced staff with degrees in special education, social work, and school psychology. Low staff-to-camper ratios. They also offer an inclusion program in their traditional camp program. Interview is required for all new campers.
On Your Mark
645 Forest Ave. #2A, 10310
718-720-9233
info@onyourmark.org
onyourmark.org
Did you know that On Your Mark operates businesses that employ individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities? Every purchase helps to maintain and expand these programs. Novel Tees at 130 Victory Boulevard, The On Your Mark Cafe and On Your Mark Chocolatiers at 639 Forest Avenue and The Cafe at Carmel Richmond Nursing Home at 88 Old Town Road. Visit one today!
Person Centered Care Services
150 Granite Avenue, 10303
pccsny.org
info@pccsny.org
Person Centered Care Services is a not-for-profit organization creating social change within communities by supporting people with disabilities on their search for identity and acceptance. Services available include Community Supports, Residential Supports, Career Supports, Day Supports, Family Education & Training, and Self-Directed Supports.
Richmond Behavioral Associates
260 Christopher Lane
Staten Island, NY 10314
718-317-5522
rbany.com
Richmond Behavioral Associates (RBA) was founded to conduct safe, precise, well controlled clinical research with potential new and existing medications. RBA specializes in psychiatric medications and conducting clinical trials for conditions such as Autism, Depression, Bipolar Disorder, Schizophrenia, Alzheimer’s Disease and Anxiety and is located at the extreme south end of Staten Island, only two miles from New Jersey.
Sandra Mazzucco, Speech-Language Pathology
465 Belfield Avenue, 10312
917-825-9005
Providing speech and language therapy to the Staten Island community for over 40 years. Toddlers to seniors. Specializing in fluency and stuttering, language and feeding disorders. Prompt trained for Apraxia of speech and phonological and articulation disorders. ASHA certified.New York state license in Speech and Language Pathology. Department of Education RSA accepted.
Sunny Days Consulting Services
1110 South Avenue-Suite 405, 10314
718-556-1616
sunnydays.com
Sunny Days provides home-based evaluations and ongoing therapy for infants and toddlers (ages birth to three years) suspected of having any developmental delays. They offer Speech Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy and Special Educational services. Services are funded by the NY State Department of Health. No out of pocket expenses necessary.
The Grace Foundation
460 Brielle Ave, 10314
718-983-3800
graceofny.org
The Grace Foundation improves the lives of individuals and families affected by Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Grace provides programs including Site Based Respite/In-Home Respite, Day Hab, Com Hab and for ages 5-30. The ultimate goal is to enable individuals with ASD to lead independent and productive lives.
The Community School
High School: 201-862-1796 CHSoffice@communityschool.k12.nj.us
1135 Teaneck Road, Teaneck, NJ
Lower School: 201-837-8070 office@communityschool.us
11 W Forest Ave, Teaneck, NJ
communityschoolk12nj.org
Community School serves the bright child with learning and attentional disabilities. For 55 years the school’s primary goal has been to help children achieve a level of classroom performance that is fully commensurate with their abilities, intellects & talents. Located in Teaneck, NJ, just over the George Washington Bridge.
Where Little Minds Grow
501 Richmond Hill Rd., 10314
718-689-2795
info@wherelittlemindsgrow.com
wherelittlemindsgrow.com
Where Little Minds Grow is an integrated learning program that offers an interactive and multi-sensory language based approach for successful learning. Their programs are led by special educators and include Speech Therapy, Occupational Therapy, special instruction, Little Essentials Toddler Program, integrated activity classes and Summer Camp. They provide services in both individual and group settings alongside the support needed for language acquisition, and to attain socialization skills. Where Little Minds Grow indoor sensory gym and outdoor play yard offers endless opportunities to learn and grow!
