Deputy Chancellor Christina Foti talks to New York Family about the future of inclusive education in NYC public schools
6 | s uccess in school
Simple ways to strengthen communication, build confidence, and help your child thrive in school
8 | choosing Private schools for n eurodiverse learners
From tailored instruction to smaller class sizes, explore how private schools help neurodiverse learners succeed
10 | s pecial n eeds listings
Helpful resources for the special need parent
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Christina Foti, Deputy Chancellor of NYC Public Schools, discusses
the future of inclusive education
By Náosha GreGG
New York City is renowned for its exceptional education system. From charter to public schools, families rest a bit easier at night knowing their child is receiving a quality education, taking one thing off their already full plate.
For Deputy Chancellor Christina Foti, standing firm on the city’s reputation is not just a goal, but a mission. As the Deputy Chancellor of the Division of Inclusive and Accessible Learning (DIAL), Foti works to ensure that the approximately 20% of disabled New York City students and 73% of students considered economically disadvantaged are on a level playing field.
“DIAL was established to ensure that students with disabilities and multilingual learners are at the center of decisionmaking at New York City public schools,” she explains. “Our mission is to make sure that every New York City public school provides inclusive and accessible learning environments to students by centering their needs. And that starts at the highest level of decision-making.”
Education Closer to Home
As one of the largest public school systems in the country, city schools play a key role in the educational development of our youth. As of June 2022, 88% of students received their recommended special education programs in full; however, ensuring that all children have access to the resources they need remains an ongoing challenge. Most students with IEPs travel to and from school in the same manner as students without IEPs, which can consist of a long school bus ride or via crowded city buses and trains during the hectic weekday morning rush hour.
Foti is working to make schools more equitable and recognizes the importance of
bringing resources closer to home. She says that families have had to travel far outside their neighborhoods for too long to access the right programs. “For students with disabilities, they’ve needed to travel outside of their communities to get the high-quality services that they need,” says Foti. “Our work has been about bringing those services to their communities so that siblings can attend school together and neighbors can attend school together.”
Brooklyn residents have recently experienced the outcome of this initiative head-on, with the opening of the new PS 6 Early Childhood Annex in Flatbush. The newly opened extension serves children from 3K to kindergarten and is described by Foti as “a completely accessible building.” The annex features include a sensory room, preschool-sized bathrooms, and family spaces—all designed with accessibility and community needs in mind. Foti hopes that the newly opened space provides some relief to parents who worry that their children won’t have to commute so far and won’t have to sacrifice the quality of their education.
“Families can walk to school together and know their children, of all abilities, are being served in a high-quality, inclusive environment.”
The response from families has been overwhelmingly positive. Foti recalls visiting her neighborhood school one morning and watching a father gently brush his son’s face before dropping him off. “It was a beautiful moment to see how they clearly walked to their school that day. Dad was happily dropping his son off somewhere he knew his son would be safe and happy, and where he would be educated in a high-quality way,” she shares.
Autism Initiatives
Beyond Brooklyn, DIAL is piloting new autism programs in several districts, including 5, 12, and 14, seeing what Foti describes as high success rates. In the New York-New Jersey metro area, approximately 3% or around 17,000 students in NYC public schools (as of a 2017 New York Times report) were identified as having Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
Photo by Chris Cassidy
“Our autism programs are outperforming their peers. Students are graduating in four years at 97%, which is remarkable,” Foti emphasizes. “The city now offers specialized placements for every incoming kindergartener with autism in those districts, and the model is expanding year over year.”
Embracing Multilingual Learners
The influx of migrant children has presented challenges for multilingual learners, but Foti is quick to emphasize the opportunities it creates. “Our commitment has been to increase bilingual programming generally because it benefits all students,” she says.
Since 2022, the city has experienced an influx of 40 thousand migrant children, in addition to the already 148,000 English as a second language (ESL) learners across the city, according to the NYC Department of Education. Many struggle to find proper education due to the language barrier. Despite the struggles, migrant children have shown promise, as exemplified by the child chess prodigy. “When children learn a second
“For students with disabilities, they’ve needed to travel outside of their communities to get the highquality services that they need. Our work has been about bringing those services to their communities so that siblings can attend school together and neighbors can attend school together.”
language, brain development is incredibly beneficial,” Foti explains. “We welcome the diversity that our students bring.”
The city is also mindful of broader issues, such as safety and accessibility.
When asked about Gov. Hochul’s recent cell phone ban in schools, Foti emphasized the importance of striking a balance between distraction-free environments and necessary accommodations.
“From the inception of the ban, we were very mindful of what that would mean for students with disabilities, who perhaps rely on technology. What we’ve made clear is that if a child needs a device in accordance with their IEP, the school should provide it,” she clarifies. For parents
and caregivers navigating these systems, Foti encourages leaning into school-level support. “We’ve trained parent coordinators, school psychologists, and special educators. Thousands of folks have already been trained on the special education process,” she says. Families can also reach out to district offices or even DIAL’s central office directly via a dedicated special education inbox, which is monitored by her team.
According to Foti, at the heart of it all is a simple but powerful mission: Equity. “Our goal is really to put New York City at the forefront of special education practices, and to make every school the school we want to see for students with disabilities and multilingual learners.”
Set Up for Success
How to help your differently-abled child thrive in school
BY NEW YORK FAMILY
Good communication between parents and teachers is key to every child’s success—but it’s essential when your child has a learning difference. Staying informed, maintaining open communication, and helping your child feel empowered can make the school year smoother and more rewarding for everyone involved. Here are some tips on how to set your child up for success.
1. Know Your Rights—and Speak Up Parents are entitled to clear information about special education services and supports. Understanding these rights helps you advocate confidently for your child. When attending meetings—such as the Committee on Special Education (CSE), annual reviews, or parent-teacher conferences—don’t hesitate to ask questions if something isn’t clear. Staying informed puts you and your child in the
best position to ensure their needs are met.
2. Keep Communication Flowing Regular, honest communication with your child’s teachers makes a huge difference. Long Island co-teachers Kathy Devine and Emily Cole emphasize that parents of students with special needs should stay in close contact. “We like to know early if something changes at home—like a new medication or a shift in routine,” Cole says. Devine adds, “If your child is struggling with homework, let us know right away instead of waiting until the end of the trimester.”
Write a short letter to your child’s teacher at the start of the school year describing their strengths, challenges, and what strategies work best. It helps teachers understand your child as an individual from day one.
3. Understand IEP Goals
Take time to learn your child’s Individual-
ized Education Plan (IEP) goals and how they differ from general classroom goals. It’s normal for students to progress differently across these areas, but knowing what each set of goals measures will help you track growth more accurately—and celebrate progress in all forms.
4. Involve Your Child in the Process
Encouraging your child to participate in discussions about their learning plan can build confidence and self-advocacy skills. Cassie Reilly, a Transition Coordinator at a Long Island high school, suggests involving children in IEP meetings when possible. “Being open with kids about their diagnosis helps them see that their learning difference doesn’t define them,” she says. It’s about giving them a voice in their own education.
5. Embrace Your Child’s Unique Path
Every child’s journey looks different. Reilly notes that children may behave or perform differently at school than at home, and that’s okay. Success might not always follow a typical path—but with ongoing communication and understanding, parents and teachers can work together to find what works best for each child.
Why Some Families Turn to Private Schools for Learning Differences
For children with ADHD, dyslexia, autism, or anxiety, personalized instruction can unlock success
BY TARA LUSTBERG
For many New York–area families, choosing the right school is rarely simple. But when a child has learning differences, whether it’s ADHD, dyslexia, autism, or anxiety, that search can feel overwhelming. Even in districts with strong special education programs, parents often find that large class sizes, limited resources, and inconsistent support make it difficult for their child to thrive. That leads some to the realization of exploring private schools explicitly designed for students who learn differently.
Despite dedicated teachers’ good intentions and hard work, resources are stretched thin within the NYC public school system. Classrooms include students with a wide range of educational needs, and individualized attention can be difficult — if not impossible — to sustain. When a student’s needs aren’t fully met in a traditional classroom environment, some parents begin exploring alternative options for neurodiverse learners, like schools that center their teaching philosophy on how each child learns best.
A Tailored Approach
Private schools that specialize in learning differences take a different approach to classroom instruction. Unlike traditional schools that expect neurodiverse students to adapt to conventional learning methods, specialized schools design their curricula around each student’s unique needs. This individualized model may mean breaking lessons into shorter, more manageable steps, using multisensory techniques, pacing instruction according to the individual’s needs, and measuring progress by growth rather than standardized benchmarks.
These schools often maintain small classes — sometimes with fewer than 10 students per teacher — allowing teachers to devote more one-on-one time to each child
to familiarize themselves with their interests, abilities, and challenges. For children who struggle with attention or anxiety, the quieter, more predictable environment can reduce stress and improve focus.
Focus on Emotional Well-Being
Often, these schools place a strong emphasis on social-emotional learning and executive functioning skills, which help students manage frustration, stay organized, and advocate for themselves. Instead of viewing behavioral differences as disruptions, teachers are trained to recognize how overstimulation and frustration manifest and respond to help students refocus and regulate.
This can be transformative for a student who has gone from falling behind or feeling misunderstood to being engaged, capable, and confident. The feeling of belonging rather than feeling singled out can be as valuable as the curriculum itself.
Navigating the Path—and the Price
For many families, moving from public to private school can be complicated. When a public school cannot adequately meet a child’s needs, some parents look to private
schools for tuition coverage through the city’s Department of Education (DOE) reimbursement process. However, this process can be lengthy and often requires legal advocacy, documentation, persistence, and time.
But, while tuition costs are high, families who are able to make the investment (or effort of pursuing reimbursement) say it is worth it for their child’s long-term confidence and well-being.
Lessons for Every Classroom
In classrooms where individuality is embraced, mistakes are treated as learning opportunities, and emotional well-being is seen as essential to success, children who once struggled to fit in finally begin to flourish. The lessons from these specialized environments could inspire all public and private schools to rethink how they support the diverse ways children learn.
As awareness and understanding of neurodiversity grow, more families and educators are recognizing that traditional learning doesn’t work for every student. For many, finding the right school isn’t just about academics—it’s about helping their child discover their strengths, build selfesteem, and rediscover the joy of learning.
Dr. Vincenza Mineo FOR YOUR SPECIAL CHILD Caring
As a mother of a special needs child, I understand the challenges as both a mother and a provider. Foot and ankle issues are common among the special needs community. If left untreated, foot issues can significantly impact their overall health and quality of life.
I create treatment plans that accommodate the unique physical and sensory needs of each patient, ensuring effective and compassionate care.
Dr. Mineo is Board Certified by the American Board of Podiatric Medicine. She is a member of the New York Medical Society, APMA, and Associate Member of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons.
the community school
High School: 135 Teaneck Road, Teaneck, NJ
201-862-1796
Lower School: 11 W Forest Ave., Teaneck, NJ
201-837-8070
CommunitySchoolnj.org
The Community School offers a customized education experience in a mainstream-style program for students with learning challenges. Our greatest strengths are applying multi-sensory approaches, employing related services, extracurricular/clubs, and sports. Through small group instruction and innovative teaching, both our Lower School and High School provide each student with the resources they need to support their abilities and interests, gain confidence, and succeed both in and outside the classroom.
h arvest c afé 694 New Dorp Lane Staten Island, NY 10306 347-857-6888 harvestcafe-si.org
Harvest Café, established in 2011 as part of A Very Special Place, Inc., is a full-service restaurant that unites culinary professionals, educators, and program participants with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Participants receive handson training in food service, including customer service, food preparation, and restaurant operations. Guided by chefs and staff, they gain valuable skills for future employment. The café also offers catering, private events, seasonal outdoor dining, and weekly dinners— great food with a mission!
Joan & alan b ernikow J cc of staten i sland 1466 Manor Road, Manor Heights sijcc.org
Person Centered Care Services is a not for profit organization creating
suPPort
Our responsibility as human beings is to support ourselves and one another.
eQuity
To participate in community is to have active citizenship. To be a participating citizen, one must have opportunities which are equitable; which accommodate the differences all human beings have.
aCCeptance
One of the most vital components of having a quality of life is love. It's okay to tell someone you love them; more importantly, it's okay to show them. To accept another for who they are and what makes them human can be a most validating experience; it is selfempowering.
At the Joan & Alan Bernikow JCC of Staten Island, children with special needs can find the support they need in a fun and nurturing environment. The JCC offers an array of programs for children with special needs, including First Foot Forward for preschoolage children, Marvin’s Camp for children ages 6 to 21, after-school activities for kids and teens, a Girl Scouts troop, inclusion opportunities in traditional programs, and more.
d r. Phyllis g . Merlino Todt Hill Pediatric Dentistry, 268 Todt Hill Road 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.
Metro community h ealth 2324 Forest Ave., Staten Island 718-447-0200 mchcny.org
Metro Community Health Center (MCHC) provides high-quality, wellcoordinated primary and specialty care, with a strong commitment to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Their skilled physicians, therapists, nurses, and staff deliver compassionate, evidence-based, and culturally competent care, regardless of a patient’s ability to pay. Services include primary care, dental, neurology, GYN,
podiatry, behavioral health, and psychiatry, all in a comfortable and supportive environment. MCHC ensures accessible healthcare for all, prioritizing dignity and comprehensive wellness.
d r. Mineo, b oard certified by the american b oard of Podiatric Medicine 1478 Victory Blvd 718-273-0123
As the mother of a special needs child, Dr. Mineo understands the challenges of being both a mother and a provider. Foot and ankle issues are common among the special needs community. If left untreated, foot issues can significantly impact patients’ overall health and quality of life. Treatment plans are created that accommodate the unique physical and sensory needs of each patient, ensuring effective and compassionate care.
Monster Mini Golf is an indoor, fun, affordable, upbeat experience for special needs humans of all ages. Their 18 holes ofmonsterthemed mini golf, glowin-the-dark experience is wheelchair accessible, climate-controlled, with interactive team members. Music volume levels are adjustable upon request. Monster Mini Golf has monstrous themed activities for special needs monsters of all ages. For more excitement, they have an on-course DJ, arcade games, virtual reality, sensoryfriendly prizes, and private party rooms.
o n your Mark 475 Victory Blvd, Tompkinsville 718-720-9233
Harvest Café opened in 2011 as part of A Very Special Place, Inc., (AVSP) that unites a chef and restaurant staff with innovative educators and agency program participants to be a full service successful restaurant.
Wed, Thurs, Fri, Sat, Sun, 8:00am-3:00 pm
Thurs, Fri, Sat 4:00 pm-9:00 pm
Closed Mon & Tues
Now Serving Dinner Thursday- Saturday 4pm- 9pm
info@onyourmark.org onyourmark.org
On Your Mark operates businesses that employ individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, offering meaningful jobs and practical training. Every purchase helps sustain and grow these essential programs. Their ventures include the On Your Mark Café and Chocolatiers at 639 Forest Avenue and The Café at Carmel Richmond Nursing Home, 88 Old Town Road. They also provide catering services. Each initiative fosters inclusivity, independence, and community engagement for people of all abilities.
Person-Centered Care Services is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to creating social change by
supporting people with disabilities in their pursuit of identity and acceptance. Services include Community Support, Residential Support, Employment Support, Day Support, Family Education and training, and SelfDirected Support.
s andra Mazzucco, s peechl anguage Pathology
465 Belfield Ave., Annadale 917-825-9005
Providing speech and language therapy to the Staten Island community for over 40 years, for all ages from 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.
