Special Parent, NYC - Spring 2021

MANHATTAN • BROOKLYN • QUEENS

SpecialParent NYMETROPARENTS.COM

SPRING 2021

INCLUSION • DIVERSITY • EXCELLENCE • ACCEPTANCE • LEADERSHIP

The IDEAL Difference IDEAL is New York’s only K-12+ independent inclusion school, where we celebrate the tremendous social, emotional, and academic growth born of a commitment to inclusion education and differentiation.

In a diverse and inclusive community and within our robust academic program, IDEAL students recognize their potential to effect change and are equipped with the tools to do so. They strive for excellence in and out of the classroom and recognize and draw out the potential for excellence in their peers. They possess the self-awareness to advocate for themselves and the compassion to stand behind others. They not only appreciate but also seek out difference, understanding that only in community are we IDEAL. Follow IDEAL on social media to learn about a new way to afford an IDEAL education.

VIRTUAL OPEN HOUSES

LOWER SCHOOL (K-5) 314 West 91st Street Thursday, April 8, 9 AM KINDERGARTEN Friday, April 23, 10 AM UPPER SCHOOL (9-12) 270 West 89th Street April 15, 9 AM NEXT STEPS TRANSITION PROGRAM May 7, 10 AM

IDEAL is currently accepting applications in select grades for 2021-22 placement

www.theidealschool.org For more information, contact us at admissions@theidealschool.org or 212-769-1699 2

Spring 2021 | nymetroparents.com

180 East 79 St. Suite # 1C New York, NY 10021

114-20 Queens Blvd, Suite CS2 Forest Hills, NY 11375

www.ComprehendTheMind.com 718-441-0166 Committed to providing psycho-educational and neuro-developmental evaluations for over 15 years Dr. Sanam Hafeez and her team of expert clinical and neuropsychologists are here to help your child and family cope with the novel challenges presented by the COVID pandemic. Dr. Hafeez has been at the forefront of the crisis, bringing insight and advice to families all across the nation, as a sought out media personality and expert Psychologist.

Let Dr. Hafeez and her clinical team help you assess and restructure your child’s educational, and mental health needs, during this unpredictable time.

For a short time, we are offering a 28-day neuropsychological assessment process for $2800* Please inquire with the center for details.

Who We Help: Those with: • Learning Disabilities • ADHD • Autism • Developmental Delays • Anxiety, Depression, behavioral issues • Families in court over custody, education or legal reasons

How We Help: • Extra time on tests, both in classrooms, SATs, ACTs, SHSATs • IEPs, 504 plans, private school placement • Forensic (injury, special education, child custody, immigration) cases • Medication management

We accept all major insurances GHI, UnitedHealthCare, Oxford, Cigna, MagnaCare, BlueCross BlueShield (BCBS) All major credit cards, Cash, and PayPal accepted *$2800 rate for 28-day timeline excludes insurance, and is a discounted rate free of insurance restrictions, and wait times for authorizations. A detailed receipt for reimbursement, provided, upon request

We are both a pediatric and adult center, helping all ages succeed and thrive

www.ComprehendTheMind.com | 718-441-0166 NYMetroParents Camp Guide

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Focusing on Abilities

In an effort to better help parents of children with special needs, we present the Spring 2021 issue of Special Parent!

It’s full of advice and services for your child—all geared toward the specific needs of your family, including tips to avoid comparing your child to others, common stereotypes of ausim that just aren’t true, the benefits of having a pet, why “me” time is important for parents, and resources for individuals with special needs.

For even more great advice to help you make better decisions for your kids, from what to do with your children today, tomorrow, and next week to choosing the best after-school program to local news, visit nymetroparents.com.

And stay up to date on all the best family fun in your area by signing up for The Scoop newsletter at nymetroparents.com/register!

Katelin Walling Editorial Director

Helping Parents Make Better Decisions

NYMetroParents.com @NYMetroParents

facebook.com/nymetroparents

@nymetroparents

The Scoop

nymetroparents.com/register

To Advertise: nympads@davlermedia.com

inside

6 Autism Myths You Should Ignore Here are the five biggest misconceptions about autism spectrum disorder.

10 Avoiding Comparison Here’s what you can do to limit comparing your child to others.

14 Taking Care of Your Needs Why ‘me’ time is so important for parents of children with special needs, plus ideas for self-care 18 The Benefits of Pets 7 ways a child with special needs can benefit from having a pet.

20 Special Needs Resources 21 Advertisers’ Index

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We Can’t Wait to Hear What Your Child Has to Say! se Choo or ote Rem n er so In-P s n o i Sess

Confidence Blooms at Chatty Child!

At Chatty Child, our therapists provide quality care that is nurturing, innovative and creative. We work with the family to provide each child with a comprehensive treatment plan, while taking into account each child’s interests, strengths and goals. We are here to help your child reach their fullest potential.

Chatty Child’s state-of-the-art therapy center for children is conveniently located in lower Manhattan. Please come in for a tour to discover what we can offer your child and become a part of the Chatty Child family!

Does your child need extra support?

Boost academic, social and verbal skills to improve school success.

Chatty Child offers: l Individual & group treatment for speech-language, occupational and physical therapy l Socialization groups l InterAct Theatre + Therapy Lab™ – classes & summer workshop program l Feeding and oral motor treatment l PROMPT therapy for apraxia of speech l Handwriting instruction l Sensory Integration therapy l Individual & group language, literacy and creative arts tutoring For Speech, Occupational & Physical Therapy, we accept: l Private pay (coded invoices for out-of-network reimbursement) l Department of Education Related Service Agreements (RSAs) l InterAct classes and tutoring are private pay only.

To register, or schedule a tour, private consultation or evaluation, email info@chattychild.com, call 347.491.4451, or visit www.chattychild.com.

325 Broadway - Suite 403 New York, New York 10007

Winston Prep New York Enrichment Program Grades 4-12 | 6/28 - 7/22 and 7/26 - 8/12 (two sessions)

New York: 6/28 - 7/22 and 7/26 - 8/12 (two sessions)

Is your child struggling in school? We can help.

Winston Prep New York 126 West 17th Street New York, NY 10011 nysummerprogram@winstonprep.edu, or call 212.496.8400 (x2688) SpecialParent

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Autism Myths You Should Ignore

There are a lot of stereotypes about autism spectrum disorder that just aren’t true—here are the five biggest misconceptions.

By Katelin Walling

Despite what many people may think, individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder do like spending time with peers. In fact, interacting with people on the spectrum is the best way to battle these misconceptions.

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hile the awareness of autism spectrum disorder has grown due to social media, increased research, Autism Awareness Month, and more, there are still many misconceptions about ASD, from its causes to the characteristics and abilities of those on the spectrum.

As its name denotes, autism is a spectrum, meaning not everyone diagnosed with autism displays the same traits, exhibits the same behaviors, or has the same abilities— just like you or me. Applying blanket statements to those on the spectrum would be like saying girls can’t throw or boys don’t cry.

We spoke to experts about stereotypes of ASD and uncovered the truth behind five big misconceptions about the disorder and those diagnosed with it.

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Myth 1: Vaccines cause autism.

Unfortunately, we do still hear the misconception that autism is related to vaccinations, commonly the measles, mumps, rubella vaccination, says Sarah Kuriakose, Ph.D., BCBA-D, statewide director of psychology services at NYS Office of Mental Health. “Not only was the initial study that showed that a fraudulent study, but follow-up studies have debunked that many times,” she explains.

There are other concerns that autism is caused by “various environmental factors that a pregnant mother may be exposed to,” says John Pfeifer, assistant executive director at Life’s WORC, a Long Island nonprofit that supports people with developmental disabilities and autism. “There’s still ongoing research about the expansion of electromagnetic technology and various environmental chemicals and such that may be at play, but not knowing everything in the environment that may be affecting a fetus, either seen or unseen, makes it hard to decipher that.”

“What we do know about autism is there seems to be a genetic component, and about 10- to 20-percent of cases with ASD are linked to an identified genetic disorder,” Dr. Kuriakose says. “We anticipate that that number will go up with more genetics research. But even in identical twins, the concordance rate is not 100-percent, so we know there is some factor that is not genetic as well.”

Myth 2: People on the spectrum are anti-social and don’t have feelings.

Dr. Kuriakose says parents, teachers, and even doctors will tell her things like, “that child can’t have autism because…he’s affectionate, …she makes eye contact, or …he’s interested in other kids.”

“So what can end up happening is people have this very black-and-white picture that a person with autism is someone who is anti-social and isn’t interested in other people,” she says. “We know that those aren’t necessarily true.” Yet thanks to this persistent myth, a child who does have autism might not be given a diagnosis—his parents may be hanging on to the fact that their child is affectionate though he is struggling in other ways.

“It is often thought that people with autism don’t have feelings, which is a very sad misconception and very far from the truth,” adds Janet Koch, CEO of Life’s WORC.

Myth 3: People with autism exhibit challenging and/or maladaptive behaviors.

“It’s not fair to say that challenging behaviors are inherent in the diagnosis,” Pfeifer says. “They are often a byproduct of ineffective treatment of some of the things that are SpecialParent

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inherent in the diagnosis, which are communication and socialization difficulties.” These behaviors could include flapping hands, rocking, or other self-stimulatory behaviors.

“We still, unfortunately, have the misconception from previous media portrayals that kids with autism are nonverbal, are going to sit in the corner, and just rock or flap their hands,” Dr. Kuriakose says.

As society becomes more educated about autism, people are learning about adapting communication efforts. “It could actually help a person [on the spectrum] to not escalate to such a significant behavior because they’ll be able to communicate more easily with people who have been taught how to communicate with them,” Koch says.

Myth 4: Those on the spectrum are savants and/or are fixated on one topic.

The media commonly portrays those with autism as being savants or having restricted interest in a singular subject: Sam Gardner in Netflix’s Atypical and Shaun Murphy in ABC’s The Good Doctor are two recent portrayals. “Certainly, we have kids and adults with autism who have an amazing depth of knowledge in a particular area, incredible memory, incredible pattern recognition skills, things like that that are going to set them up for a particular career,” Dr. Kuriakose says, but not all individuals with ASD show these characteristics.

In fact, the most recent criteria for an autism diagnosis from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders fall into two categories: social communication and restricted, repetitive behaviors (RRB). There are four traits that fall under the RRB category—repetitive speech or behavior/mannerisms, restricted interest, sensory challenges, and difficulty with transitions or insistence on sameness—and a person needs to only exhibit two of those traits (and meet criteria from the social communication category) to receive a diagnosis of autism, according to Dr. Kuriakose.

“So, you could have a kid who has some sensory challenges and insistence on sameness without any restricted interest at all and you could still have the diagnosis,” she says.

Myth 5: People with ASD can’t go to college, have jobs, or get married.

Because some people with autism may struggle with social situations, have communication challenges, and have difficulty with flexibility, there’s the misconception that they will not be able to attend higher education, have a job, or get married and have kids. “There are lots of examples of folks with autism who do successfully do those 8

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things, and the big thing that’s important is it’s all about the supports the environment can provide,” Dr. Kuriakose says.

When working with a patient who is looking at colleges or employment opportunities, Dr. Kuriakose looks for a setting that is supportive of that patient’s strengths and challenges. In fact, “a lot of individuals with autism are actually really great, dedicated, passionate employees, but it has to be a setting that can understand that they might process information and interact in ways that are slightly different from typical.”

In terms of getting married, Dr. Kuriakose says there are quite a few instances where she’s diagnosed a child with autism, and a few months later their parent will observe that they’re seeing some of the same characteristics in themselves or another family member. “And these are all people who had families,” she says.

So how can we continue to combat these and other myths about people on the spectrum? “Just like with any other group, you shed your misconceptions when you have more close relationships with people in that group,” Dr. Kuriakose says. “I really would encourage people to engage with lots of individuals with autism.”

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Avoiding Comparison While it’s normal to sometimes compare your child to others, it’s important to try to limit it. Here’s what you can do.

By Linda DiProperzio

S

ocial media has given us a bird’s eye view into everyone’s life, with parents posting about their kids’ achievements, milestones, celebrations, and more. For any parent, the instinct to compare their children to others can be hard to resist.

And for a parent of a child with special needs, it can bring another level of stress and anxiety into the fold.

“Comparison is natural and learning not to compare your child with a disability to others takes effort, but it will get easier with practice and time,” explains Melanie Musson, with LifeInsurancePost.com. Musson is also the parent of a child with special needs. “While you’ll always see differences between your child and their typical peers, you can train your mind not to focus on that.”

Not sure where to start? Follow these simple steps to help you get off the comparison train.

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Realize it is normal.

All parents compare their kids to other children from time to time, so it isn’t something to feel guilty about. Engaging in the behavior doesn’t mean you don’t love your child, so give yourself a break, points out Joy Gandell, a parenting, critical life skills, and learning coach.

Admit it’s a waste of time.

Comparing two different people to one another will only lead to unhappiness, negativity, and a whole lot of stress. As parents in general, you should always keep this in mind. Once you remind yourself of this, you’ll soon find yourself doing it less often and eventually stop altogether, notes Jessica Robinson of The Speaking Polymath.

Look at the positive.

All the magic lies in our perception, Robinson says. “If you can see the positive traits in

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your child, you’ll naturally stop comparing him/her with anyone. So, you should try to look for at least one new positive trait in your child on a daily basis.”

Celebrate your child’s uniqueness.

Although it can be hard not to think about the things your child can’t do, try to focus on their strengths and what makes them unique, recommends Marissa Labuz, founder of TeachingLittles.com and a pediatric occupational therapist who works with children with special needs. “Their uniqueness is what will set them apart as they get older, and they may even have special abilities or talents that they wouldn’t otherwise have.”

Verbalize those strengths.

There is a tendency to discuss weaknesses as those things are thought about, talked about, written, printed, and talked about again in many meetings. Let’s do the same thing with strengths, says Janelle Vargo, Director of Education for Wonder Media, an animation production company that creates content to educate children in an entertaining and positive way. If there aren’t a lot of strengths listed or required in your meetings, you’ll have to do this part on your own. And don’t be afraid to remind teachers, administrators, therapists, and doctors of all of the wonderful things your child has accomplished throughout the year.

It can also be helpful to have your child focus on their abilities rather than their disabilities, especially when they’re feeling discouraged by something. For 6 steps to help your child (and you!) focus on their abilities, visit nymetroparents.com/abilities.

See the reality.

Remind yourself that what you see from other children is often a highlight reel much like what we see on social media, says Kathy Heath, an autism awareness advocate behind TheAutismEdit.com and mom of three children, including one on the autism spectrum.

Remember, no child is perfect, and no parent has it easy.

Join a good support group.

Find fellow parents of kids with special needs. They’ll understand your struggles and help you feel like you’re not alone, Musson says.

Linda DiProperzio has written extensively on parenting issues for Parents, American Baby, Parenting, and Family Circle, among others. She lives in New York with her husband and two sons.

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Taking Care of Your Needs Why ‘me’ time is so important for parents of children with special needs, plus ideas for self-care

By Linda DiProperzio

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eing a parent is hard work, and for moms and dads who have a child with special needs, the day-to-day can be especially taxing on your physical, emotional, and mental well-being. That’s why selfcare for parents of children with special needs is especially important—and luckily, taking care of yourself doesn’t have to be expensive or even leisurely.

“Self-care is any purposeful action that improves your physical, mental, or emotional well-being,” explains Stacy Spensley, a certified holistic health coach and founder of The Semi-Crunchy Mama Club. “Making sure that parents stay healthy can make caregiving easier on everyone.”

In fact, did you know scheduling 15-20 minutes a date of “me” time can reduce stress, prevent caregiver burnout, and help you be a better, more present parent?

If you’re ready, here are some easy ways to show yourself some love.

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Ask for help.

Find someone you trust to watch your kids when you need a break. “It’s essential to line up dependable help who can assist and care for children with special needs while parents take care of their emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual needs to reset and refresh their well-being,” explains Karen Aronian, Ed.D., a parenting and education expert.

Get outside.

Let the beauty of nature feed your soul, suggests Dana Humphrey, a life coach based in Queens. Walking has been shown to be valuable in improving mental health, particularly depression, so try to walk daily.

Reward yourself each day.

This isn’t about going out and spending money on designer clothes. It can be as simple as sitting alone on the porch looking at the sky for 10 minutes, taking an extra-long shower, texting someone you haven’t spoken with in a long time, buying a bouquet of flowers for yourself, etc., says Sarah Farmer, M.A., a special needs parent advocate and the mom of a daughter with special needs.

Anne Cunningham Educational Advocate

empowers parents & children to have a better quality of life through education & social acceptance Advocates for students in school districts in Westchester County, Putnam County, Orange County, Manhattan, parts of Connecticut State Interacts with the school district, attends meetings Understands and interprets evaluation scores Supports the educational rights and needs of students diagnosed with: ASD, ED, Dyslexia, Specific Learning Disability, mental health concerns, Intellectual Disabilities, comorbid diagnoses, Other Health Impaired, ADHD, and others Has a Team of professionals to assist with supporting the students and families Check out Anne’s website to learn more about her and her services and GET A FREE CONSULTATION

Anne Cunningham, MPS, SBL

www.advocate4students.com SpecialParent 15

Schedule your “me” time.

Make sure any special time for yourself—whether it’s working out, having lunch with friends, or getting a manicure—is in your calendar or it will likely get pushed aside to take care of someone else’s needs.

Join an online group.

Farmer suggests finding an online support group for parents of children with special needs that will serve as a safe space to vent, share ideas, mourn, share successes and failures, and more. “It’s a forum where you can be totally honest and not be judged,” she says. “These parents will ‘get’ you in a way no other set of parents will.

Just say no.

This can be one of the hardest things to do, but it’s an absolute necessity for your overall well-being. Creating boundaries and learning to say no also helps to bring your goals into sharper focus, Humphrey notes.

See a professional (if needed).

If you are feeling overwhelmed to the point of depression, have thoughts of self-harm, or feel anger with your child or yourself, find a professional who understands your situation and can give you tools for making life easier at home. If you aren’t functioning well mentally, it’s tough to parent a child with special needs, Farmer points out.

Be kind to yourself.

Yes, the situation can be hard, but you are doing it. Give yourself some credit, some selfcompassion, and some kindness!

Linda DiProperzio has written extensively on parenting issues for Parents, American Baby, Parenting, and Family Circle, among others. She lives in New York with her husband and two sons.

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LONG ISLAND SPEECH Licensed Speech Pathologists & Myofunctional Therapists

TELETHERAPY AVAILABLE!

Specializing in the Treatment & Correction of: • Language Disorders • Memory & Auditory Processing Difficulties • Fluency • Voice Disorders • Motor Planning Disorders

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Specialized Therapy Approches Including: • PROMPT • Individual Feeding Therapy • Augmentative Communication Evaluations & Therapy

Locations in: East Yaphank | Farmingville | Stony Brook | Commack | Islip Terrace | Jericho | Wantagh | New Hyde Park

844-5-SPEECH | www.LIspeech.com

Background Vectors by Vecteezy

Camp SAY combines the highest-quality, traditional summer camp experience with comprehensive programs & activities that help young people who stutter, ages 8-18, build confidence, improve communication, and develop lifelong friendships.

Camp SAY 2021 Dates

CampSAY.org | 646.403.3516 SpecialParent 17

The Benefits of Pets

7 ways a child with special needs can benefit from having a pet—cat, dog, or other

By Linda DiProperzio

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he happiness that a pet can bring to a home is immeasurable. For a family with a child with special needs, a beloved furry friend can offer an even wider variety of benefits.

“Gifting a kid with special needs a pet is one of the best things you can possibly do, says Sara Ochoa, D.V.M., veterinary writer at WeLoveDoodles.com. “Animals inherently possess an unbiased view of all living beings and can be incredibly empathetic, which is exactly why they make the perfect companions for children with special needs.”

In fact, Dr. Ochoa says that any pet can offer therapeutic benefits to kids with special needs. Here are some ways bringing a pet into your home can improve your child’s life and health.

Companionship Pets offer a bond for kids who could be struggling to make connections with their peers, which can leave them feeling lonely and isolated, says Sherry Morgan of 18

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Petsolino. “Dogs and even cats are innocent creatures that can be a very good support system. They are non-judgmental, good listeners, stress-relievers, and can give you nice and warm cuddles!”

Stress Relief There’s no denying we are living in a stressful time, and kids with special needs can often feel that anxiety on another level. “The calm demeanor and loving presence of dogs can cause a perceived reduction in stress and cortisol levels in children,” says Danielle Mühlenberg, a dog behaviorist.

Physical Activity Getting active can be a stress reliever, as well as a mood booster. Pets encourage children to en-gage in physical activity and spend time outdoors, which is beneficial for healthy lifestyle habits, notes Rachel Barrack, D.V.M., of Animal Acupuncture in NYC.

Social Skills Research has shown that animals increase social behaviors in children on the spectrum.

“Children with autism were more likely to talk, smile, laugh, and make physical contact with others when they had real pets, rather than toys,” reveals Joanna Woodnutt, B.V.M, B.V.S., BVMedSci, MRCVS, and a team member at Breed Advisor.

Responsibility Taking care of their pets will help a child with special needs create their own schedule, including when to feed or bathe the pet, and even when it’s time for some fun. Morgan points out that this daily routine helps create better habits, such as the ability to make plans, then focus and stick to it.

Daily Tasks Animals can be trained to grab objects, open doors, and guide people with limited mobility or physical impairments, Dr. Barrack notes.

Well-being A fully trained support dog can be taught behaviors such as applying pressure to help with a panic attack or sounding the alarm if self-harming behaviors are happening. Dr. Woodnutt notes that there are even charities that train dogs for a child’s particular needs.

Linda DiProperzio has written extensively on parenting issues for Parents, American Baby, Parenting, and Family Circle, among others. She lives in New York with her husband and two sons.

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Special Needs resources MANHATTAN Anne Cunningham, Educational Advocate

203-417-6004 advocate4students.com • annec@advocate4students.com Anne Cunningham, Educational Advocate (advocate4students.com) has been successfully supporting students for almost 10 years in Westchester, Putnam, and Orange counties, parts of Connecticut, and Manhattan. She interacts on behalf of students with all disabilities or educational concerns. Anne can be reached at annec@advocate4students.com.

Birch Family Services Inc.

104 W. 29th St., Chelsea 212-616-1800 • birchfamilyservices.org Birch Family Services is a leading provider of educational, employment, and community supports for people with autism and developmental disabilities. With 12 programs located across New York City, Birch provides preschool and school-age special education programs for children ages 3-21 in environments appropriate for their individualized needs. Learn more at birchfamilyservices.org.

Braintrust Tutors

646-397-3696 • braintrusttutors.com Braintrust Tutors connects parents with a nationwide network of certified teachers and learning specialists. Our experts have the training and expertise to spark more a-ha moments for children with learning differences. The Braintrust platform offers more gains and smarter insights at a price that’s right for you.

Camp Reece at Skidmore College

815 N. Broadway, Saratoga Springs 212-289-4732 • campreece.org • info@campreece.org Camp Reece is a sleepaway camp for children with special needs ages 10-17. Located in Saratoga Springs with transportation from NYC and Westchester County. We have weekly adventure trips along with a wide range of activities designed to engage campers while teaching skills, building confidence, improving self-esteem, encouraging social-emotional growth, and having fun!

Camp SAY

Pocono Springs, PA Travis Robertson, camp director 646-403-3516 • campsay.org • travis@say.org Camp SAY combines the highest-quality, ACA-accredited, traditional summer camp experience with comprehensive programs and activities that help young people who stutter, ages 8-18, build 20

Spring 2021 | nymetroparents.com

confidence, communication skills, and lifelong friendships. Summer 2021 dates: Aug. 2-16 (shortened-stay option available). Contact Travis Robertson (646-403-3516; travis@say.org) or visit campsay.org.

Chatty Child Speech, Occupational, and Physical Therapy, PLLC

325 Broadway, Suite 403, Tribeca 347-491-4451 • chattychild.com • info@chattychild.com Chatty Child is a unique, personalized, pediatric therapeutic center in downtown Manhattan. We provide in-person and remote options for speech-language, occupational, and physical therapy. We offer evaluations, individual treatment, socialization groups, tutoring classes, and creative arts enrichment programming: InterAct: Theatre and Therapy Lab (summer workshops and yearly classes).

EBL Coaching: Manhattan

Dr. Emily Levy, director 17 E. 89th St., Suite 1D, Upper East Side 212-249-0147 eblcoaching.com/one-on-one-tutoring-new-york-city EBL Coaching specializes in 1-on-1 home, on-site, and virtual tutoring for students in pre-K to 12th grades with specialized learning needs.

They use research-based, multisensory techniques to develop reading, writing, math, executive functioning, and organizational skills.

Specialized instruction for students with learning disabilities and ADHD is available. Now offering COVID homeschooling programs.

Gillen Brewer School

Julian Parham Santana, director of admissions 410 E. 92nd St., Upper East Side 212-831-3667 gillenbrewer.com • julian@gillenbrewer.com Gillen Brewer School is a family-oriented, early childhood and elementary program for ages 2.8-10 with language-based and non-verbal learning disabilities. We provide an integrated, developmentally-appropriate, academic-therapeutic program that includes speech-language therapy, occupational therapy, and counseling. Our curriculum is enriched with arts, music, science, and physical fitness. Full-time in-person learning returns April 2021.

The Ideal School of Manhattan

270 W. 89th St., Upper West Side 212-769-1699 theidealschool.org • admissions@theidealschool.org The IDEAL School of Manhattan is New York’s only K-12+ independent inclusion school, where we celebrate the tremendous social, emotional, and academic growth born in a diverse and nurturing educational community.

Winston Preparatory School

Various locations throughout the greater NYC area 631-779-2400 winstonprep.edu liadmissions@winstonprep.edu Winston Preparatory School is a network of six campuses offering students with learning differences a highly individualized and responsive education. Our unique model serves students through grade 12. Winston Online now allows students to learn from anywhere in the country. Visit instonprep. edu/apply-now to sign up for a virtual open house.

Queens Comprehensive Consultation Psychological Services, P.C.

Queens: 114-20 Queens Blvd., Suite CS 2, Forest Hills Manhattan: 180 E. 79th St., Suite 1C, Upper East Side 718-441-0166 comprehendthemind.com Comprehensive Consultation Psychological Services, P.C. is a group of school and neuropsychologists, that diagnose and assess a variety of conditions. We perform neuropsychological, educational, speech and language, and psychiatric evaluations to help you understand your child’s strengths and weaknesses, and plan for their educational success and emotional well-being.

Long Island Speech

Locations across Suffolk and Nassau: Stony Brook, Farmingville, Commack, East Yaphank, Islip Terrace, Jericho, Wantagh, New Hyde Park Newest Location: 2915 Sunrise Highway, Islip Terrace 631-675-1065 • 844-5-SPEECH (577-3324) lispeech.com Janine Stiene, speech-language pathologist, owns and operates Long Island Center for Speech and Myofunctional Therapy.

With her group of therapists, she supports families across Long Island, specializing in PROMPT, feeding, myofunctional therapy, voice disorders, fluency, augmentative communication, articulation, auditory processing disorders, and expressive and receptive language disorders.

index Advocacy Anne Cunningham, Educational Advocate.......... 15

Camp Camp SAY..................................................17

Doctors & Therapies Chatty Child Speech Therapy, PLLC.......................5 Comprehensive Consultation Psychological Services..........................................3 Janine Stiene Suffolk Center for Speech.............. 17

Education Birch Family Services....................................13 Braintrust Tutors..........................................11 EBL Coaching..............................................13 Gillen Brewer School (The)............................ 9 Ideal School (The)........................................ 2 Winston Preparatory School Long Island.................................................. 5 NYMetroParents.com features more than 20,000 businesses serving the NY metropolitan area!

Vincent Smith School

322 Port Washington Blvd., Port Washington 516-365-4900 vincentsmithschool.org Vincent Smith School is Long Island’s premier prep school serving students with learning issues such as school anxiety, ADHD, dyslexia, and auditory and language disorders in first to 12th grades. VSS students come from all over Long Island and NYC to take advantage of the school’s unique programs and individualized curriculum.

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