Special Parent for Westchester and Rockland, Fall 2021

WESTCHESTER • ROCKLAND

SpecialParent NYMETROPARENTS.COM NYMETRO

FALL 2021

Yellow Bus ABA

Going Great Places Yellow Bus ABA Westchester Autism Center Yellow Bus is the premier center for ABA Therapy Services in Westchester County.

Our beautiful center locations offer a rich learning environment, utilizing the principles of applied behavior analysis (ABA) , to effectively address communication skills, social skills, play skills, readiness skills and reduce and replace behaviors that may cause harm or otherwise interfere with a child’s learning. At Yellow Bus ABA we provide an individualized, child centered approach to helping our learners and their families thrive.

Hear it from the parents: “Great care when we needed it most….

Great care support and the best BCBAs…..

I would highly recommend them to anyone”

Most Major Insurances Accepted Center & Home Based Social Skills Groups Full Day & After School Programs 2

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210 N. Central Ave. | Hartsdale| 914-205-5430 info@yellowbusaba.com | www.yellowbusaba.com

LIVE-IN DEVELOPMENTAL CHILDCARE SOLUTIONS Apex Social Group empowers families by providing live-in optimize daily to rmat reach new To childcare v i ew catondida tesyour or child's f o r mo re life i n fo io n milestones. c o n ta c t u s :

w w w. ape x - s o c i a l . c o m / N Y M P 84 4- 7 87 - 6 566

Our European and American Care Professionals have experience with special needs and infant care and have diverse backgrounds in physical, occupational, speech, and behavioral therapy, nursing, education, and more! Children develop to their fullest abilities through our consistent, individualized, one-on-one, in-home care.

Special Needs and Infant Care To v ie w c and id ate s o r for mor e i nform ati on - con tac t us at :

w ww.a pex- social. com/NY MP 844-7 8 7-6 566 SpecialParent Special

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Jeannine

Katelin

editors’ note

School Year Success

Elizabeth

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

It’s full of advice and services for your children—all geared toward the specific needs of your family, including: • supporting students with disabilities in school • helping your child succeed in the classroom • tips to make IEP meetings as smooth as possible • and more!

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 local news, visit nymetroparents.com.

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

Jeannine Cintron, Katelin Walling, and Elizabeth Winchester Directors of Content, DM•Parents Helping Parents Make Better Decisions

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To Advertise: nympads@davlermedia.com

INSIDE

6 Supporting Students with Disabilities This Fall How to set your child on a course for success in their classroom 12 Helping Your Child Succeed in the Classroom 5 things you can do to help your child have the best school year possible 14 5 Tips for a Successful IEP Meeting One mom shares what she does in Individualized Education Program meetings to help them run smoothly.

18 Special Needs Resources Browse local businesses, including special education providers, therapies, advocates, laywers, and more.

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Supporting Students with Disabilities This Fall How to set your child on a course for success in their classroom

By Jean Mizutani

A

ll students have experienced some missed learning during COVID. Fortunately, schools have been given federal money to develop school Academic Recovery initiatives that will provide a comprehensive plan of additional support. This will include interventions for students with and without disabilities and is scheduled to start this fall in most school districts. This could be a valuable way to help students catch up.

However, if you suspect that your child may have a disability or if your child needs accommodations to participate in school, here are some steps you can take.

REQUESTING AN EVALUATION An Individualized Education Program is a plan for students who have a disability that makes sure they receive specialized instruction or services. There are 13 classifications of educational disability set 6

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The Westchester School • NYS approved and funded non-public school providing therapeutic and educational services to students diagnosed with AU, MD, ID, OHI, OI, ED, & PWD, ages 3 - 21, with locations in Yonkers & North Salem • Ungraded, self-contained classrooms with a student to staff ratio of 12:1:4 & 8:1:2 in SchoolAged classrooms and a ratio of 10:1:2 in Preschool classrooms • Customized classroom instruction based on IEP goals, enhanced with SMART boards, IPads, and computers in every classroom • Counseling, Behavioral Services, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, as well as Speech and Language Therapy • Assistance with transitioning to post academic life by providing Vocational and Job Skill opportunities

914-376-4300

• Adaptive Physical Education and a Sensory Room

www.westchesterschool.org SpecialParent Special

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by federal law, such as autism or learning disability. Eligible children ages 3-5 would be considered a preschooler with a disability.

The IEP is authorized under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act to ensure eligible students receive appropriate special education services (instruction, programs, and related services like speech or physical therapy) in a setting that maximizes access to non-disabled peers. This means that services can be provided in any setting, including general education.

If your child (ages 3-21) enters school without an IEP, but you suspect that they may have a disability, you can request an evaluation from the school’s IEP team. Within 10 school days, you’ll receive a consent form. The evaluation, IEP meeting, and offer of services, if eligible, should not take more than 60 school days from the date the consent form is signed.

If attending a private or charter school, you can make requests to the Committee for Preschool Special Education or Committee for Special Education in that school’s district.

Evaluations must be done in a language your child understands and results must be translated into a language you understand.

PREPARING FOR AN IEP MEETING Parents know their children best and are key participants in their child’s IEP meeting.

Parents should receive the IEP Meeting Notice at least 5 days before the scheduled date. The notice will include all meeting details, as well as the names and titles of everyone invited. If there is someone that you would like to invite, like an outside therapist or family member, you can.

To prepare for the meeting, review recent documents, like the evaluation, and identify areas where your child may need additional support. Make a list of questions and be sure to share your concerns. Parent participation is your right during every step of the special education process, from evaluation and IEP development to the provision of services. Stay involved!

THE 504 PLAN The 504 Plan is used to provide accommodations—like extended testing time, having directions read aloud, classroom food limitations, or preferential seating in class— for students with a disability. The plan’s goal is to help these students have access to and success in their learning environment. A student may be eligible if they have a diagnosis that limits their ability to participate in one or more important life activities, such as learning, hearing, seeing, walking, concentrating, or communicating. The plan 8

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provides accommodations in the general education setting and it’s authorized by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

The student disability can be temporary or permanent, and includes medical conditions such as allergies, asthma, diabetes, and visual impairment. For example, a parent concerned about her son having an asthma attack or food allergy reaction in school could request a 504 Plan, which provides accommodations in a general education setting. Through the 504, the parent could establish an action plan with clear, defined steps to monitor and respond to her son’s needs during the day.

Unlike the IEP, parents who would like to establish a 504 for their child don’t need to request an evaluation. Instead, families submit a 504 Request Form with diagnostic or evaluation materials from a doctor, psychologist, or other professional. If the school receives any federal funding, eligible students should be covered from preschool through college or vocational school.

A 504 must be renewed yearly for accommodations to continue. Parents should share updated diagnostic information each year. Parents will participate in future 504 team meetings if changes to the plan are being considered.

CONNECT WITH US INCLUDEnyc is the leading provider of training and information for young people (newborn to 26) with any disability and their families. The organization can help you navigate and understand special education and disability systems.

• The Help Line at 212-677-4660 (English) or 212-677-4668 (Spanish) offers interpretation into more than 200 languages.

• Parents can attend free online workshops.

• Hundreds of resources are available at includenyc.org.

Jean Mizutani is the senior education specialist at INCLUDEnyc and has worked at the organization for more than 20 years. She is also the parent of a daughter with disabilities.

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©2021 Huntington Mark, LLC. Independently Owned and Operated. *Not valid with any other offers. **Grade level results are based on cumulative average grade level increases in reading and math for 17,445 students from 2010-2014 using the full set of available student data. ***Results are based on surveys of 3,289 Huntington students graduating in 2019, using their initial Huntington Academic Evaluation and final SAT/ACT test score.

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Helping Your Child Succeed in the Classroom

5 things you can do to help your child have the best school year possible

By Jacqueline Neber

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ood parent-teacher communication is crucial for any successful school year, but being on the same page becomes even more important when your child has a learning disability. There are a few steps you can take to help ensure your child has the best year possible.

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS AND SPEAK UP. Parents are entitled to receive information about special education from their schools and teachers—reading up and staying informed is the best way to advocate for your kid. When attending Committee for Special Education meetings, annual review meetings, or parent-teacher conferences, if you don’t understand something, ask questions.

COMMUNICATE WITH TEACHERS FREQUENTLY. Kathy Devine and Emily Cole, teachers at Waverly Avenue Elementary School in Holtsville, say parents of students with special needs must be extra communicative with teachers. “We would like to know sooner when things might be happening at home, whether it’s medication changes or maybe something in the home life has changed,” Cole says. When it comes to homework,“ reach out to us as soon as possible so that we’re not waiting until the end of a trimester to know [kids are] struggling,” Devine says. Another tip? Write a letter describing your child and their needs at the beginning of the year (you can still do this now, as it will help your child’s teacher get to know them better).

UNDERSTAND INDIVIDUALIZED EDUCATION PLAN GOALS. Equally important is understanding your child’s IEP goals—which can differ from their classroom goals. This difference often confuses parents who see their student accomplishing goals on one end of the spectrum and not the other.

INVOLVE YOUR CHILD. Cassie Reilly, transition coordinator at Northport High School, suggests involving your kid in IEP and parent-teacher conferences. Being open with them from the time of diagnosis helps them stand up for themselves and understand their learning disability does not make them inferior to others.

BE SENSITIVE TO DIFFERENCE. Parents should understand their kids might be different at home than at school, Reilly adds. And, even more importantly, their kids might have an atypical path toward success. Communicating with teachers is key to understanding how your kid can progress in the best way.

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5 Tips for a Successful IEP Meeting

One mom shares what she does in Individualized Education Program meetings to help them run smoothly.

By Dana Greenberg

T

hose of us who’ve been through it before are very aware how stressful and unpredictable IEP meetings can be. IEP stands for Individualized Education Program, which is the plan created for every child eligible for special-needs services from their public school specifying how the school will meet your child’s specific educational needs. IEP meetings are the yearly get-together at which parents gather with a team of professionals from the school district to discuss your child’s needs for the upcoming school

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IGNITE FITNESS PROGRAM

EXCLUSIVELY AT BREAKTHROUGH FIT CO WE EXIST TO CREATE EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES TO HEALTH AND FITNESS

WHAT IS IGNITE? Ignite offers progressive, fun, and adaptive fitness programs to members of the Westchester special needs community, ages 12 through adulthood

Official partner of the NY Special Olympics All services appointment-based to ensure a safe environment.

For more information email jake@breakthroughfitco.com

www.breakthroughfitco.com | 914-358-4575 251 S. Central Ave, Hartsdale, NY 10530

applied behavior analysis

family guidance

academic intervention

friendship skills

behavioral & social support transition approaches tele/video therapy

rebeccabusiness13@gmail.com 718-316-8057

Hiring BCBAs - RBTs - ABA Therapists SpecialParent 15 Special

year and develop your child’s plan for the year. We parents know what our children need better than anyone, but, unfortunately, we are not always heard.

Here are some of the things I do at my meeting to help ensure that it is a success.

SHOW A PICTURE OF YOUR CHILD. One of the first things I do is hold up a picture of my son and introduce him. Usually there are people at the meeting who have never met him. I would like them to all see the boy we are talking about.

TAKE GOOD NOTES. Ask the professionals to slow down if you need them to. Let them know you don’t want to miss anything. I usually bring a notebook to write in. Be sure to ask who everyone is and what their titles are. Before you leave, ask for a copy of the minutes (that someone should have been taking). You can compare the minutes to your notes to make sure you're all on the same page.

NEVER SIGN ANYTHING—EXCEPT THE ATTENDANCE SHEET. This is definitely something to remember. If they ask you to sign something else, tell them you want to review it at home; you're allowed to say this. Before you leave the meeting, ask them to give you a copy of the attendance sheet as well.

DON’T LET THEM RUSH YOU. If these meetings are still new to you, you may hear words and terms that are not completely familiar to you. Feel free to ask them to explain everything. That is their job. Remind them, if necessary, that this is your child who is being discussed, not an abstract idea. If time runs out and you feel like you need more time, you can ask for an additional meeting to continue the discussion.

DISCUSS PLACEMENTS. If you have already visited potential schools, let them know. Give them details of what you saw and why it would not work for your child. Let them know that you have been proactive about the situation. Ask them to discuss their ideas about possible placements for your child. Remember, nothing is set in stone at this time, but it's something that should be discussed.

These are some of the things I always do at my son’s IEP meeting, I hope they may help guide you to a smoother, more successful IEP meeting of your own.

Dana Greenberg is a mom of twins living in Manhattan. Her site, TheAutismClub.com, was created to connect moms who have kids with special needs, like her son Jack—who has autism—and offer them a space to tell their stories. This article was originally published in 2017.

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Green Chimneys School

Therapeutic Day Program • Residential Treatment Center

greenchimneys.org

Book your appointment now to brighten up that back-to-school smile!

We are focused on optimal oral health while providing a safe, comfortable, and FUN environment—come check out our submarine-themed office space!

Penny Penny Resnick-Graulich, Resnick-Graulich, D.M.D D.M.D Emelie Emelie Preis, Preis, D.D.S. D.D.S. Danya Danya Mermelstein, Mermelstein, D.M.D. D.M.D. Fatina Fatina Shtivelman, Shtivelman, D.D.S. D.D.S.

Voted 10 years in a row one of Westchester’s Top Pediatric Dentists

by Westchester Magazine

Our dentists have specialized training to work with special needs patients

MAIN STREET PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY 115 Main Street, Suite 302, Tuckahoe mainstreetpediatricdentistry.com (914) 633-4440 SpecialParent 17 Special

Special Needs RESOURCES WESTCHESTER The 13th Child

718-316-8057 rebeccabusiness13@gmail.com The 13th Child Autism & Behavioral Coaching Inc. is a consulting company focused on those living with autism spectrum disorder and other socio-behavioral uniqueness. We focus on children, teens, and adults who struggle academically, behaviorally, and socially.

Tele/video therapy is available.

Anne Cunningham, Educational Advocate

203-417-6004 advocate4students.com/contact-us 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.

Services are appointment-based to maintain a safe and personal environment amidst COVID-19.

Creative Wonders Therapy Center

David Green, clinical director 470 Mamaroneck Ave., Suite 204, White Plains 914-421-8270 ext. 1 101 S. Bedford Road, Suite 404, Mount Kisco 914-373-6823 creativewonderstherapy.com Creative Wonders is a pediatric therapy center located in White Plains and Mount Kisco. Seasoned occupational, physical, and speech therapists are trained in specialties, including sensory integration, PROMPT, and therapeutic listening. Strict cleaning guidelines, therapists in masks, 75i True HEPA Air Purifiers in both locations.

Telehealth and in-person available.

Green Chimneys

844-787-6566 apex-social.com/nymp family@apex-social.com Apex Social Group offers live-in special needs and infant care, providing developmental child care solutions. In addition to our whole-child approach, enabling us to customize matching our families with care professionals from Europe or America to meet their specific needs, our care providers have specializations in a variety of health care/social fields.

400 Doansburg Road, Brewster 845-279-2995 33 Clearpool Road, Carmel 845-225-8226 greenchimneys.org Green Chimneys School is an accredited special education program for students in kindergarten to 12th grade who benefit from a highly structured and supportive setting. An enriched curriculum for individualized academic, behavioral, and emotional support features an innovative nature-based approach that integrates animal-assisted activities, horticulture, and outdoor exploration into therapeutic treatment and education programs.

Breakthrough Fit Co.

Huntington Learning Center

Apex Social Group

251 S Central Ave., Hartsdale 914-358-4575 breakthroughfitco.com jake@breakthroughfitco.com Breakthrough Fit Co. offers inclusive health and fitness opportunities for those with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Through the IGNITE Fitness program, they provide high quality, progressive, and adaptive classes tailored to individual strengths and abilities.

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1-800-CAN-LEARN (226-5327) Eastchester, Scarsdale, Yorktown huntingtonhelps.com Huntington is the leader in kindergarten to 12th grade tutoring and test prep. Our certified tutors provide individualized instruction in all areas including executive functioning, ADHD, dyslexia, and learning disabilities. We help students prep for the SAT, ACT, and state exams.

Huntington also testifies on students’ behalf and attends IEP/504 meetings.

Los Niños Services Home & Center Based Early Childhood Special Education Services for Children with Autism and Developmental Disabilities

New York City: 212-787-9700 x0 Westchester: 914-593-0953 x0 losninos.com • info@losninos.com Proud of our reputation for excellence serving New York City and Westchester for 20 years. Our therapists speak English and other languages. Our ABA program for children with autism is highly regarded as are our centers in Valhalla and Hawthorne. We provide private insurance, early intervention, and preschool special education services.

Parallel Learning

228 Park Ave. S., Manhattan 914-251-4158 • parallellearning.com Parallel will guide you in building a clear understanding of who your child is as a learner so that they can empower themselves and can reach their fullest potential. We offer a range of services, from evaluations and testing, personalized education plans, school placement consultation, and skills interventions and remediation.

The Westchester School

45 Park Ave., Yonkers 914-376-4300 • westchesterschool.org jremeny@westchesterschool.org With the new addition of our North Salem Campus, the Westchester School provides educational and therapeutic services to more than 300 students from Long Island to Eldred. The program provides Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Speech and Language Therapy, and Psychological Counseling in accordance with each student’s Individualized Education Plan.

Yellow Bus ABA

The Westchester ABA Center 210 N. Central Ave., Hartsdale 914-205-5430 yellowbusaba.com • info@yellowbusaba.com Yellow Bus ABA offers a rich learning environment, utilizing principles of applied behavior analysis (ABA) to effectively address communication, social, play, and readiness skills and reduce and replace behaviors that may cause harm or interfere with learning.

They provide an individualized, child-centered approach to helping learners and their families thrive.

Adaptive Dance

at Steffi Nossen School of Dance “Anyone can dance & everyone should!”

- Steffi Nossen

Creativity Balance Improvisation Coordination Self-confidence Session I ($325) September 20 - December 13 Moving Wheels and Heels Youth Mondays at 4:30 pm (Ages 7 - 16) Moving Wheels and Heels Adult Mondays at 5:30 pm (Ages 16+)

Plus: “Summer Dance Intensives

ALL ABILITIES WELCOME! 216 Central Avenue, White Plains, NY | steffinossen.org | (914) 328-1900 SpecialParent 19 Special

index CHILD CARE Apex Social Group...............................................3

CLASSES & FUN Breakthrough Fit Co........................................... 15 Steffi Nossen School of Dance ........................... 19

DOCTORS & THERAPIES The 13th Child................................................... 15 Creative Wonders Therapy Center....................... 11 Los Ninos ............................................................5 Main Street Pediatric Dentistry ........................... 17 Parallel Learning ..................................................9 Yellow Bus ABA...................................................2

EDUCATION Green Chimneys ...........................................17 Huntington Learning Center............................11 The Westchester School .................................. 7

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