Staten Island Special Child - November 2023

Staten Island

www.siparent.com

Special Needs Resource Guide

SUPPORTING CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS Marvin’s Camp for Children with Special Needs

First Foot Forward

Girl Scouts Access Troop

Ages 6-21

Ages 2.5 to 5

Enriching summer experiences in a nurturing and social environment

Specializes in helping preschool-age children with:

Inclusive scouting for girls & young adults with disabilities & their friends

*Inclusion opportunities also available in traditional day camp

Dr. & Mrs. Megna Kids Club

Speech/Language & Developmental Delays Socialization Concerns Poor Motor Skills Autism Spectrum Disorder Sensory Needs

Ages 6-12

Afterschool for Teens with Special Needs Ages 13-21

Homework help, art, sports & rec, swimming, social skills, cooking & life skills, trips, & more

Homework help, sports & rec, swimming, computer classes, social skills, cooking & life skills, trips, & more

Afterschool Program for Kids with Special Needs

SIJCC.ORG November 2023 | The Special Child

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contents NewYorkFamily.com Publisher: Clifford Luster Deputy Editor: Jeannine Cintron Reporter: Barbara Russo Community Content Creator: Shara Levine Executive Director: Donna Duarte-Ladd Associate Publisher: Erin Brof Advertising Director: Stacie Goldberg Advertising Manager: Janine Mulé Digital Editor: Kaitlyn Riggio

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Contact Information

ADVERTISING: (718) 260-4554 Advertising@NewYorkFamily.com Circulation: (718) 260-8336 Tina@NewYorkFamily.com

6 | Special Child Glossary Part of navigating a special needs or disability diagnosis is knowing the words used to describe it. Check out our helpful glossary 8 | Books Representation is so important in books, especially for kids looking for guidance and inspiration. In these books, kids can see themselves in the characters they read about 10 | Caregiver Support Special needs parents need support.

A trusted resource, INCLUDEnyc

shares tips, and resources for emotional wellness and healthier wellbeing for the parents and caregivers of kids with disabilities 12 | Museums It can be challenging to visit an ample space if your child has a disability, and museums in New York tend to be quite spacious. Our museum guide lists some of the accessibilities of many of your favorite cultural institutions 16 | Special Needs Listings

Address: New York Family Media/Schneps Media 1 MetroTech Center North, Third Floor Brooklyn, NY 11201

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Staten Island Parent has been awarded the PMA Gold Award for Excellence in Editorial and the Bronze Award for Excellence in Digital Media.

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Reproduction of New York Family Media in whole or part without written permission from the publisher is prohibited. All rights reserved. ©2023 Queens Family Media, LLC

• Skilled Nursing • Physical Therapy • Occupational Therapy • Speech Therapy • Medical Social Worker • Home Health Aide Benefits of In-Home Therapy: • Familiar Environment • Eliminate Transitions • Family Involvement

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Ages

3+

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>Special Child

Glossary

Terms that families with children with disabilities should know

By Mia Salas

P

art of navigating a special needs or disability diagnosis (Developmental disability: Physical, learning, language, or behavioral impairments that will delay your child’s development. ADHD, Autism, learning disabilities, etc. are all examples of developmental disabilities) is knowing the words used to describe it.

But it can be intimidating to ask what everything means, especially when doctors or websites seem to be speaking another language with acronyms like “ERSS” and “OT”. We’ve all been in that confusing place before and, as parents, it’s not a fun feeling.

That’s why, we’ve created a glossary for keywords that you may want to know as a parent of kids with disabilities.

This guide includes common disability words, phrases, and acronyms so that you can feel more confident in your parenting journey!

ADHD (Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) : A developmental disability

that makes it difficult for your child to pay attention or stay focused. Look out for squirming and fidgeting, talking a lot, not being able to wait for their turn, or trouble concentrating.

Be on the lookout for aggressive behavior, withdrawal or nerves related to social environments, and vocal outbursts in public places.

Learning Disability: Difficulty learning and grasping new concepts. Learning disabilities include dyslexia (reading), dysgraphia (writing), and dyscalculia (math).

See Special Education for more.

Stutter: A speech disorder that makes it challenging for your child to say what they want to say. You may hear them repeat a sound a lot, hold one sound for a long time, or stop speaking mid-sentence.

IEP Teams : Your IEP team will be made up of you (as a parent/guardian), a school psychologist, a special education teacher (and sometimes a general education teacher), and the district representative. It may also include a school physician or other service providers who have worked with your child.

LRE (Least Restrictive Environment) : Your child will be in a classroom with kids who do not have a disability diagnosis.

York organization that can help connect your family to nonprofit services, based on what kind of treatment/therapy they need, and provide funding.

education teacher will design specific activities for children with special needs or the special education teacher will collaborate with the general education teacher to modify the entire classroom to accommodate.

Transition planning : Creating an action

plan for what your child with disabilities will do after high school. This is often a part of your IEP (see below).

INCLUDEnyc : A non-profit organization

an extra chromosome that affects how your child’s brain and body develop. Diagnosis typically happens before or during birth.

that advocates for young people in NYC to be included in their communities: classrooms, workplaces, etc. They have super informative resources for parents of kids with disabilities, and they can connect you with professionals who can help you navigate your options even further.

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education as a special needs student.

According to the NYC Department of Education (DOE), this means your child is guaranteed a free and appropriate public education in a Least Restrictive Environment (see below). Your child’s IEP will also include development and progress reports, evaluation results, specific needs, and anything else that is relevant to your child’s success.

SETSS (Special Education Teacher Support Services) : Either a special

Down Syndrome : A condition caused by

disorders such as anxiety, bipolar, OCD, etc. that have no direct, identifiable cause.

IEP (Individualized Education Program) : A written plan for your child’s

OPWDD (Office of People with Developmental Disabilities) : A New

developmental disability that may delay your child’s speech, motor, learning, and social skills. Early intervention (see below) can help improve skills.

Emotional Disturbance : Mental health

feels welcomed by the school, teacher, and classmates. For kids with disabilities, inclusion is definitely a keyword to look for when choosing a school!

Helpful Resources

Service provider: An agency or organization that will help your family navigate some aspect of your journey. This could be everything from speech therapy to after school programs with a focus on special needs to horseback riding as a form of physical therapy.

ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) : A

Special Education Inclusion : Everyone in the classroom

SEDL (Special Education Distance Learning) : Modifying special needs

education for virtual/online students. This became especially important during the pandemic.

SWD (Students With Disabilities) : Used to refer to special needs children in the classroom.

SC– Special Class : If your child’s needs

cannot be met in a general education classroom, they will have all classes taught specifically by a special education teacher.

These classes are typically very small in NYC schools, with up to 12 students for elementary/middle school and up to 15 for high school.

PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions

& Support) : NYC school-wide approach

that encourages positive behavior instead of punishing or pointing out the negative. One example of this is changing a poster from “No Food. No Weapons. No Drugs.” to “School Rules: Be Safe, Responsible, Respectful”. This positive environment is especially important for special needs education.

Treatment & Evaluation

can often help improve your child’s skills and progress.

OT– Occupational Therapy: Focuses on ADL’s (see above) and other everyday skills that your child will work on.

PT- Physical Therapy: Focuses on physical

developmental disabilities and helps your child with mobility and movement.

ADL (Activities of daily living) : Day-to-

day actions like brushing your teeth, going to the bathroom, walking up and down stairs, etc. that are used to determine your child’s diagnosis and progress.

Speech pathology: Focuses on language and speech disabilities to help your child communicate their thoughts.

Regression : Your child loses skills that they

Early intervention: Services and support

for infants and young children with developmental disabilities. Early intervention

previously had. If regression happens, you may want to revisit and revise your child’s IEP (see above).

AT (Assistive technology) : Any device

that helps your child’s special needs by improving their capabilities. AT’s include wheelchairs, text to speech, voice recognition, and more.

ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) : A positive-reinforcement program designed to understand your child’s behavior in real life situations. It is most commonly used for children with Autism, but it can also be effective for other developmental disabilities.

Developmental milestones : Key movements, expressions, speech etc. that show your child’s progress. For little ones, this may include smiling at people, crawling, copying sounds, and reaching for toys.

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11 Books About Kids with Disabilities R

epresentation is so important in books, especially for kids looking for guidance and inspiration. Kids want to be able to see themselves in the characters they read about.

That’s why we rounded up our top picks for books about children and families with disabilities. These books cover physical and developmental disabilities for all ages, ranging from PreK to young adult.

Remember– books are a great way to open up the convo with your kiddos. Talk with them about what they read, what they learned and what they might still have questions about. Read (pun intended) on for the list of 11 children’s books about disabilities.

PreK to 2nd grade

Different– A Great Thing to Be,

by Heather Avis

A New York Times Bestseller, Different– A Great Thing to Be follows the story of Macy, a young girl who doesn’t quite fit in with her classmates. She jumps to her own beat, sometimes quiet and sometimes loud, and the other children don’t understand her.

Written in a rhyming style, this book celebrates differences and encourages kids to accept everyone.

When Things Get Too Loud,

by Anne Alcott

A story about sensory overload, When Things Get Too Loud is a reminder that the world can be an overwhelming place for a lot of people.

When Bo’s Feel-o-Meter goes from 1 to 10, he just wants to hide. Children and parents can walk through a visual guide of emotions and ideas for dealing with them during overwhelming situations for kids with sensory overload.

The Girl Who Thought in Pictures,

by Julia Finley Mosca

A picture book about a girl diagnosed with autism, The Girl Who Thought in Pictures

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diagnosis meaning lungs that fill with mucus and a shortened lifespan. Caleb tries not to let his disorder define him, but it can be hard with an overprotective mom and a perfect big brother.

But when Caleb meets Kit, his world completely changes. This is a wonderful story about the meaning of friendship and coping with disability.

A Kind of Spark, by Elle McNicoll

is an empowering story that debunks myths and stereotypes.

No one expected Temple to talk, let alone become one of the best voices in modern science. But as a visual thinker, Temple did just that, inventing groundbreaking improvements for farms around the globe.

3rd grade to 6th grade Stuck, by Jennifer Swender

Learning disabilities are the subject of Swender’s book that follows Austin, the new kid in school who struggles to read. Slowly but surely, Austin finds people at his new school who support him along the way, making him feel comfortable and confident.

Roll With It, by Jamie Sumner

Ellie is a young girl who recently changed schools and has to suddenly be the new kid— who’s also in a wheelchair. She’s overwhelmed, nervous and challenged at first. Will the other kids make fun of her? Will they accept her?

But soon she makes really good friends.

This is a great book for kids who also have physical disabilities and need a glimmer of hope that everything will be okay!

6th grade to 8th grade Hummingbird, by Natalie Lloyd

Twelve-year-old homeschooled Olive is tired of being seen as “fragile” just because she has osteogenesis imperfecta (otherwise known as brittle bone disease).

When she starts at a new school, she hears about a magical, wish-granting hummingbird that supposedly lives near Macklemore and embarks on a hunt to find it. Along the way, she makes friends and meets new people who show her that being different is not so bad after all.

Caleb and Kit, by Beth Vrabel

12-year-old Caleb has cystic fibrosis, a

Award-winning and neurodivergent author Elle McNicoll delivers an insightful and stirring debut about the European witch trials and a girl who refuses to relent in the fight for what she knows is right.

This book unpacks what it means to have autism– to think differently than everyone else, to see things others do not.

Young adults Sitting Pretty: The View From My Ordinary Resilient Disabled Body,

by Rebekah Taussig

Disability advocate and creator Rebekah Taussig was paralyzed growing up, and now she shares her story in this memoir.

The collection of essays talks about what it means to live in a body that doesn’t fit, and how that affects day-to-day life. It encourages us as society to bring more stories to light, sharing our experiences with others.

Same But Different: Teen Life on Autism the Express, by Holly Robinson Peete, RJ Peete and Ryan Elizabeth Peete

Triplets join forces to write a book about what it means to be a teen with autism. This book covers not only the experience of having autism, but what it means for those around you, like siblings.

Dating, sports, parties, body changes, school– it’s all tackled in Same But Different, making it the perfect book for young adults with developmental disabilities.

The Ables: 4 Book Series,

by Jeremy Scott

Phillip is excited to start his superhero classes, gifted with the power of telekinesis.

That is until he learns he’s assigned to the special-ed classes.

Bullied, threatened, and betrayed, Phillip struggles, even as he and his friends–calling themselves the Ables–find ways to maximize their powers to overcome their disabilities.

This supernatural story is a 4-part series, making it great for avid young adult readers.

…that each and every one of our students can excel and that all deserve the opportunity to reach their fullest potential…

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Caring for the Caregiver Tips and resources for emotional wellness and healthier wellbeing of the parents and caregivers of kids with disabilities

By INCLUDENyC

A

s caregivers, we all grapple with the impact of stress in our lives, and how we experience, respond to, and manage it can vary greatly. This is no different for children, teenagers, and young adults. Stress management influences our well-being and profoundly affects the children under our care.

In the following, we present some fundamental guidelines to help you navigate the effects of stress in your life, along with valuable resources for local mental health support.

Stay connected with the people who matter and support you.

Be mindful of the time spent on social media or news sources that may overwhelm or drain your energy.

Dedicate daily moments to enjoyable activities! Whether through exercise, playing sports, board games, or planning quality time

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with your children and family.

Create a space for daily tranquility to allow your mind to relax.

Be a role model for positive selfcare practices, including taking breaks, nourishing your body with healthy food, staying hydrated, engaging in regular physical activity, and ensuring adequate sleep. These practices should benefit not only yourself but also your children and loved ones.

Remember, taking care of your emotional well-being is vital for your sake and those you care for.

Mental Health Resources NYC Well provides free, confidential crisis counseling, mental health, and substance misuse support, information, and referrals.

You can reach the toll-free helpline 24/7 by phone, text, and online chat. Mental health professionals there can connect you to the services you need.

To contact NYC Well, call:

1-888-NYC-WELL (1-888-692-9355) 1-888-692-9355 (Español) 711 (TTY for hearing impaired) You can also reach NYC Well by texting “WELL” to 651-73 or visit their website for more information. NYC Well counselors are available 24/7. They can provide bilingual help in Spanish, Mandarin, and Cantonese.

Additionally, NYC Well offers translation services in more than 200 languages. Health insurance is not required. Depending on your phone/text service, you may be charged a fee.

NAMI-NYC (naminycmetro.org) supports families and adults affected by mental illness, including classes, 30+ support groups, family mentoring, and a Helpline. Their Helpline can be reached at (212) 684-3264.

Vibrant Emotional Health (vibrant.org) provides people with emotional support and care. It runs innovative community programs for people at all stages of life and crisis lines, like the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at (800) 273-8255.

INCLUDEnyc (includenyc.org) provides information and support to families of children with disabilities or delays, helping caregivers understand available resources and navigate special education, health services, and other support systems. Parents can also find peer support through INCLUDEnyc support groups in English and Spanish.

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Empowering Museum visits

How to navigate museums with a child with disabilities

By Donna Duarte- Ladd

T

here are layers to being a parent of a child with a disability. As a mother of a 7-year-old who is Autistic, there are many challenges. One thing I have learned is that every parent’s journey can have similarities yet also look different. The truth is, there are times I ace parenting Mateo, who is considered severely ASD and is non-verbal, and then there are times my whole being is tested.

One of these challenges is going somewhere unfamiliar, and museums are on this list.

We’ll save airport and new city experiences for another issue.

Lesson learned: a few years back, I took my son to a fantastic museum while we were visiting family in California, and while the museum was unique for kids, it was so overstimulating that there was frustration and tears all around.

Most unknown spaces are still challenging to visit, but I have learned that having a game plan before we go somewhere new is essential and helps the entire family enjoy the experience.

Things like having a map of the museum and picking out the area that will be safe and welcome are essential for us. If there is a quiet room or pockets of quiet nooks, that museum has visitors for life. We use the family bathrooms like an office; they are our saviors- we can regroup fast and not worry about our guy sprinting off.

My family loves it when a museum has a social narrative; we can talk about the upcoming visit and what we will see and show him how to visit it. I also bring snacks, and I have never had a security guard make me toss a snack when I explain that my child will not eat the food at a museum cafe.

Again, every family has different needs, but this is how we navigate visiting a museum with Mateo. We compiled a list of museums that we

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Photo by Yumi Matsuo

feel go the extra mile regarding accessibility for families with disabilities. If you do not see one of your favorite museums on this list, please visit their website to check that it has what you need to support your child on your next visit. You can also find more general museum

articles on newyorkfamily.com, such as our favorite children’s museums, A Parents’ Guide to Navigating New York City Art Museums with Kids, 48 NYC Museums to Visit All Year Round with the Family. We love our museums, and so do kids with disabilities!

The American Museum of Natural History 200 Central Park West The Richard Gilder Center for Science, Education, and Innovation 415 Columbus Ave AMNH is a museum that families visit regularly as it is never-ending in all it offers. This museum’s adventure is endless, from the Hall of North American Mammals to the Mignone Halls of Gems and Minerals and more. For people with disabilities, the museum provides much support, and we recommend visiting the accessibility section of its site to map out your visit. The services that stand out: service animals are welcome, and there are excellent tour programs. For Autism families, The Discovery Squad, in collaboration with the Seaver Autism Center at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, can, on specific Saturdays, explore activities related to the Museum halls before the museum opens. Science Sense Tours for blind or partially sighted visitors can check out this monthly tour, where specially trained museum tour guides spotlight specific themes and exhibits through descriptions and touchable objects.

In circling back to mapping out your visit, the museum offers an actual route app for free. The Explorer app will help you to find accessible (with directions) routesand the best part is to see where the elevators are. Choose the accessible route and receive turnby-turn directions. And there is more. Your admission also works for AMNH’s newest addition, The Richard Gilder Center for Science, Education, and Innovation. Fun things you can do are bug out at the Susan and Peter J. Solomon Family Insectarium, gawk at the gorgeous architecture, and, for a fee, visit the gorgeous exhibits the -Invisible Worlds and the Davis Family Butterfly Vivarium.

Museum Guide

by Donna Duarte- Ladd & Barbara Russo

Manhattan Venues: DiMenna Children’s History Museum Located in the lower level of New York Historical Society 170 Central Park West at Richard Gilder Way (77th Street) Families can explore the nation’s historical narrative and the vibrant tapestry of New York City through captivating exhibits illuminating prominent historical figures’ life journeys from childhood to adulthood.

The facilities, galleries, and auditorium are wheelchair accessible, with complimentary wheelchairs for visitors. For those who are blind or visually impaired, free verbaldescription docent-guided tours are available by appointment in conjunction with museum admission. For deaf or hard-of-hearing museum go-ers, most exhibitions are accessible for T-coil hearing aid users. T-coil compatible audio guides are available, also free of charge with admission. ASL interpreters are available but must be scheduled to accompany docent or educator-led group tours, such as school trips. Appointments for these services can be made by contacting access@nyhistory.org.

The Guggenheim 1071 Fifth Avenue While the Guggenheim is an art space with its renowned modern and contemporary art collection, it is also one of the world’s most famous museums. Designed by architect Frank Lloyd Wright, its building is iconic.

Although the building is stunning, it may feel out of reach if you are a parent of a child with disabilities. Thankfully, the museum has helpful resources to aid parents on their museum visit. There are ADA-compliant bathrooms located on Levels 1 and 7. There is plenty of room for wheelchairs; however, the High Gallery does not have wheelchair access.

The space is quite open, so if your child is sensory sensitive, you may want to download the sensory map (guggenheim.org/accessibility) that maps out the areas (usually with seating) that tend to be quiet, less crowded, and low light. For your ASD child, there is also a social narrative map. For visitors with low vision or who are blind, Mind’s Eye Tours runs excellent tours that share through verbal descriptions, conversations, sensory experiences, and clever practices. These free tours should be emailed (access@guggenheim.

org or call 212 360 4355. a week before the program you would like to attend.

Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum Pier 86, W 46th Street From checking out historic planes, a prototype Space Shuttle Enterprise, a diesel-electric powered submarine, and more, families can spend an entire day at this museum by discovering history through Interactive exhibits and artifacts through hands-on experiences while learning about American military and aerospace technology. The Intrepid Museum has a robust roster of programs for kids with disabilities -we recommend checking out their accessibility page for all their offerings. For blind and visually impaired visitors, there are verbal description and tactile guides that use raised images, Braille, and large print, as well as (ALDs) including stereo headphones, single-ear headphones, or T-coil compatible induction loops are available to borrow at no cost to something pretty cool like a talking pen. Autism kids aged 3 to 18 and their families can sign up for a free program called Early Morning Openings on Saturdays. There are also sensory-friendly evenings for teens (14+) and adults with Autism who can have a fun evening after hours. As we mentioned in the intro, it’s easy for sensory-sensitive kids to get overstimulated; before you start exploring the museum, pick up a sensory bag for noise-reduction headphones and fidgets. There are also visual vocabularies, checklists, scavenger hunts, and activity sheets for all public programs at the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art 1000 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10028 People worldwide visit The Met, one of New York’s most extensive museums. This is something to remember when visiting, as it can be overwhelming, especially for kids. The museum features gorgeous paintings from renowned artists like Leonardo da Vinci and Vermeer. The Met houses sculptures where kids can look at Greek and Roman statues and contemporary pieces. There is also ancient, Asian, European Decorative, modern art, and more. The Met supports many people with different disabilities. On the museums’ visibility section, a parent can find helpful resources for visitors on the Autism Spectrum such as tips, social narrative, Tour Visual Checklist, Sensory Friendly Mapand more. There are also art workshops for kids, teens(and adults) who are Blind or Partially Sighted. Visitors can also find programs in November 2023 | The Special Child

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American Sign Language, with Sign Language interpretation and real-time captioning. For caregivers of visitors with disabilities, head to the museum ticket counter, where you can pick up a free ticket.

The Museum of the City of New York 1220 Fifth Ave at 103rd St. MCNY is an excellent spot to visit and learn about the city’s history, starting from its colonial days. Visitors can view paintings, maps, art, decorative costumes, and more. The museum also hosts fun exhibitions, films, and immersive installations. If your child needs noise-reduction headphones, head to the front desk; if available, you can pick up a setfree of charge during your visit. A caregiver can receive free admission at the Museum Ticket Desk. Service dogs are welcomed, but emotional support animals need to stay home. Wheelchairs are accommodated at the museum, and if available, there are manual wheelchairs available. For large print and high-contrast transcripts of exhibition texts, head to the accessibility page on the Museum of the City of New York site. There is also a QR code in the Museum Guide that you can access once you’re there. Assistive listening devices are available for events, and you can find a form online for ASL interpretation guided tours on the accessibility page.

MoMA 11 West 53 Street For modern and contemporary art lovers, New York (again) has one of the best in the world. From paintings by Jackson Pollack, Pablo Picasso, and Roy Lichtenstein to worldfamous photographers (Irving Penn, anyone?), sculptures, film and media art, design and architecture, and more, MoMA is one outstanding institution to visit. For families with disabilities, you can find Sensory and Social guides. Guide dogs and trained service animals are welcome, and while the pet guinea pig may bring comfort, they must stay home.

For wheelchair access, look for a security or a guest guide so you do not have to wait in line.

MoMA works with Art inSight, and blind or low-vision visitors can download recorded verbal descriptions of several artworks on the free Bloomberg Connects app. Email AccessPrograms@moma.org at least two weeks in advance for a touch and description tour. Visitors with disabilities are eligible for a discounted admission of $18, and admission is free for an accompanied—care partner. A huge favorite the museum features are the QR codes placed throughout the Museum. These QR codes

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include maps, additional artwork information, verbal descriptions, and assistive listening for sound artworks created to enhance your visit.

There is no sensory room if your child tends to be sensory sensitive, but on the MoMa site, you can find a sensory map of quiet spaces within the museum.

Whitney 99 Gansevoort St · (212) 570-3600 There are many reasons to head to the West Village; one is to spend time at the iconic Whitney Museum. The Whitney focuses entirely on American art, with each floor presenting vibrant and unique art, such as Georgia O’Keefe Edward Hopper to Layla Ali. And for our kids with disabilities and challenges, this museum offers support. The Whitney gets very busy- for wheelchair visitors, there is a helpful map; for kids on the ASD spectrum, a social narrative can be downloaded (all of this can be found under the Accessibility tab on the museum’s site) to help with the visit before you arrive. Service animals are welcome at The Whitney, and if your child needs an ASL-English interpretation, Live captioning, or Verbal description for their public programs and events, these services can be requested in advance. Parents with Sensory Sensitive kids will appreciate that the museum offers sensory-friendly artmaking workshops on select Saturdays before the Museum opens.

Visit their events pages for postings.

9/11 Museum 180 Greenwich Street, New York, NY 10007 The 9/11 museum opened on May 21, 2014, and is a place where visitors can learn about the 9/11 attacks on a September day in 1993.

At this museum, there is understandably a lot to take in. This museum has many parts; the Exhibitions are where you can see core and special exhibits. The Collection shows a permanent collection such as material evidence and more. There are also programs and events, and tours are available. For kids with children with disabilities, services dogs are allowed.

Keep in mind that there is limited seating at the 9/11 museum. If you need a quiet space or your child needs a sensory time out, there is a space called Reflecting on 9/11 Studio- look for a security guard or a staff member wearing a tan or blue vest to direct you to this room.

Care partners are offered one free admission ticket- email access@911memorial.org for a ticket request. Entrances are wheelchair accessible, and all public restrooms have wheelchair-accessible stalls. Many services, such as sign language interpretation and verbal

description guided tours- learn more on the 9/11 accessibility page, are available.

Staten Island Venues: Historic Richmond Town 441 Clarke Ave., Staten Island Wheelchair access: Partially wheelchair accessible Social Guide available: No Sensory Map: No Historic Richmond Town is a place on Staten Island where history comes alive through architecture, period costumes, live-action trade demos, and more. The village is on a sprawling campus with many features to accommodate visitors with disabilities. The site has a quiet space (including a lactation room) offering privacy, comfort, and seating for nursing parents, babies, and anyone with multi-diverse needs. Visitors can request wheelchairs, large-print materials, and sign language interpretation in advance. While many of the site’s buildings have wheelchairaccessible entrances, it’s important to note that wheelchair access to many historic structures varies. Service animals recognized by the ADA are welcome.

Staten Island Children’s Museum 1000 Richmond Terr., Staten Island Wheelchair access: Yes Social Guide available: Yes Sensory Map: No Kids of all ages–and their parents!–enjoy exploring this whimsical and educational museum. It offers cultural, imaginative, and creative experiences for kids ages 1 and older.

In addition to being wheelchair accessible, the museum recently opened a new sensory space designed to provide a peaceful place of respite for young visitors who may need some time to recharge during their museum visit. It features a curated assortment of sensory tools and elements, including a plush bean bag chair, textured mats on the wall for tactile stimulation, soothing sounds, calming strategies, weighted lap toys, and an ever-changing bubble wall.

Service animals are permitted on site.

Staten Island Zoo 705 Clove Rd., Staten Island Wheelchair access: Yes Social Guide available: Yes Sensory Map: No The Staten Island Zoo is a great place to visit if your kids love animals, and it offers several features for children with sensory processing needs. The zoo partners with KultureCity to accommodate visitors of all ages with sensory

needs. Sensory bags with KCVIP badges, fidget tools, noise-canceling headphones, and more are available at the zoo’s Clove Road entrance (NOTE: The Broadway entrance is currently closed). The bags are free to check out; you just have to leave an ID. Weighted lap pads are also available upon request.

Although the zoo doesn’t currently have a sensory map, there is signage that indicates where there are quiet and loud areas.

Bronx Venues: Bronx Zoo 2300 Southern Blvd, Bronx, NY Visiting the zoo, especially in New York, is both a fun and educational experience. It also can be an all-day excursion as there is a lot of ground to cover. First, zoos can be pretty noisy, and the areas that tend to get congested are Bug Carousel, Wild Asia Monorail, Children’s Zoo, and Budgie Landing. Rhino Garden and Zebra Hill are quiet zones if you need quiet time. Working with KultureCity, you will find signage identifying quiet zones; pick up a complimentary (to be used during your visit) sensory bag that contains fidget tools, noise-reducing headphones, and more.

Trained service dogs are welcome, but remember to check in with admissions when you arrive for a service dig admission pass. If you or your child needs a Personal Care Assistant (PCA) to experience the zoo, please go online to the site’s accessibility page to learn how to request a PCA in advance. All buildings are wheelchair accessible; however, certain areas require size, such as the Wild Asia Monorail. (open from May to Oct), it is accessible for manual wheelchairs up to 26 inches wide.

Still, motorized scooters or wheelchairs more than 26 inches wide will need (with assistance, the staff is not allowed to transfer guests physically) to use an appropriate-sized wheelchair (available at Monorail platform) or onto a Monorail seat. We recommend downloading the access map on the Accessibility page of the Bronx Zoo’s website, as it provides helpful information from accessible routes, low-light exhibits, touch exhibits, and more.

The New York Botanical Garden 2900 Southern Blvd, Bronx, NY 10458 The NYBG is a true gem for New Yorkers at 250 acres, and as one of the world’s most extensive and known botanical gardens, it is perfect for families to visit. It is also rich in history, where you can explore plant collections and learn about culture, conservation, and more. It is also home to the famous (usually March) Orchid and Train (Novem-

ber) show. For people with disabilities, you will find that ticketing booths and trams are equipped with T-coil-compatible induction loops. For large-print and regular-print transcripts of the audio tours, head to the visitor center’s information booth to pick these up.

Trained Service animals are welcomed; for a service dog, you must obtain a Service Dog Admission Pass. Power-driven Wheelchairs, scooters, and power-driven mobility devices are permitted, and manual wheelchairs are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. On the NYBG website, you can download the accessibility guide for wheelchair routes, a social guide to prepare your child before your visit.

You can also pick the guides up in the Garden.

Check out the accessibility page for free upcoming tours for people with disabilities, such as ASL and sensory experience tours.

Brooklyn Venues: Brooklyn Botanic Garden 150 Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn Explore this urban botanic garden, designed to connect people to the world of plants. The grounds are accessible by paved pathways throughout the garden. But keep in mind that due to the historic nature of the garden, specific paths may be narrow, rough, uneven or steep. Accommodations for programs for visitors with disabilities can be arranged with two weeks advance notice. Contact visitorservices@bbg.org to request accommodations.

Periodically, the garden offers special earlymorning programs of facilitated, multisensory activities in the Discovery Garden for families who have children with disabilities.

It also periodically offers free special guided tours designed for individuals with memory loss and their caregivers and free group tours for caregivers only. Service animals consistent with ADA are allowed onto the premises.

New York Transit Museum 99 Schermerhorn St., Brooklyn The New York Transit Museum is one of the most tactile museums in the city. Most objects, including vintage train cars, can be touched. Visitors can borrow a tactile guide with graphics and images in raised-line formats and braille and a smart pen with audio descriptions. These can be requested at the admission booth or visitors can email access@ nytransitmuseum.org to request a tactile guide in advance of their visit. Sensory-friendly toolkits, including noise-quieting headphones, a visual schedule, and list of quieter spaces, can be checked out free of charge. It’s good to note that the best time to visit the museum when it

is quiet is between 1-4 pm on Thursdays and Fridays. Service animals are welcome.

Wildlife Conservation Society’s New York Aquarium 602 Surf Ave., Brooklyn You’ll have an aquatic adventure at the New York Aquarium because so many amazing animals live here, including penguins, sea lions, sharks, and many others. In addition to being wheelchair-accessible, the aquarium has a partnership with KultureCity to improve the park’s ability to assist and accommodate visitors with sensory processing needs. Sensory bags containing fidget tools, noise-canceling headphones, and other resources are available for checkout at the lobby (there’s no charge, but you have to leave an ID). Service animals in accordance with the ADA are allowed in.

Queens Venues: Museum of the Moving Image 36-01 35th Ave, Queens, NY 11106 For the film buffs in the family, you’ll want to head to the MoMI, where all things art, history, technique, and technology of film, television, and digital media come together. Guide dogs and therapy animals are welcome. This museum is fully accessible by wheelchair and is also available for free. On the first Saturday of each month until May 2024) there are free Access Mornings for families with children on the autism spectrum workshops where the kids can craft and explore the museum before it opens. A big plus is the reduced volume; videos not part of the workshop are not on. Call the museum for more info at 718 -777 6800.

New York Hall of Science 47-01 111 St., Corona Founded at the 1964-65 World’s Fair, the New York Hall of Science has evolved into a center for interactive science, featuring an array of exhibits and programs. The exhibit spaces, theaters, party rooms, cafe, store, and restrooms are wheelchair accessible. Remember that the doors here are not automatic, though there is ramp and elevator access. If you need a wheelchair when you arrive, a limited number of them are available for loan, free of charge, at the main entrance. The museum provides sensory gear for children with sensory needs, including sunglasses, noise-canceling earmuffs, and fidget toys. Sensory Saturdays are every Saturday, from 10-11am, which is a time when people with sensory issues can enjoy the museum with the lights and sounds turned down. Service animals are permitted on site.

November 2023 | The Special Child

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special needs Directory | Special Advertising Supplement

A Very Special Place 49 Cedar Grove Ave., 10306 718-987-1234 info@avspny.org www.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.

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 Avenue, Teaneck, NJ communityschoolnj.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 and talents.

Community Schoolwelcomes students from New York and New Jersey, and is located just over the George Washington Bridge, in Teaneck, NJ.

CrimsonRise 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.

Extended Home Care 1200 South Avenue, 10314 347-459-8441 Extended Home Care is a Special Needs, Certified Home Health Care Agency, serving New Yorkers since 1997. They specialize in providing home care services to patients and their families with OPWDD. Nursing, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy and HHA services all provided in the comfort of your home.

Servicing ages 3 and up.

Therapists are available after school and after Day Hab programs. Offering services to Residential Programs as well.

JCC of Staten Island 1466 Manor Road, 10314 1297 Arthur Kill Road, 10312

2221 Richmond Avenue sijcc.org 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.

The Grace Foundation 460 Brielle Avenue, 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

Little Essentials Toddler Program 694 New Dorp Lane, Staten Island, NY 10306 347-857-6888 www.harvestcafe-si.org The Harvest Café is owned and operated

by A Very Special Place, Inc., whose goal is to create new opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The Café is a certified training site for those who want to learn new skills in a distinctive environment.

“Great Food With a Mission….”

Serving Breakfast, Lunch & Weekend Brunch Wednesday-Sunday, 8:00am-3:00pm Catering and Take-Out available

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An integrated Pre-K readiness program that sets the foundation for children to gain the life skills that will prepare them for future success.

Through small group instruction, children are given the opportunity to develop the receptive and expressive language skills needed for collaboration, communication, socialization, and problem solving.

Our indoor sensory gym and outdoor play yard offer endless opportunities to learn and grow!

Our staff consists of NYS Certified Teachers, Speech-Language Pathologists and Occupational Therapists.

Where Little Minds Grow, 501 Richmond Hill Rd S.I., N.Y. 10314 (718) 689-2795 | Fax: (718) 494-4069 Info@wherelittlemindsgrow.com

AHRC NYC James P. Murphy Staten Island Prep

At the James P. Murphy Staten Island Preparatory School, we are proud to provide a rigorous curricular program combined with ABA programming to meet the needs of students with disabilities from ages 3 to 13. Our curriculum includes ELA, mathematics, science and social studies with the use of the Next Generation Learning Standards modified for our students to access instruction. Our school is excited to provide on-site related services and a social emotional learning emphasis for each student in our building. Small classroom ratios and specially trained staff allow for an individualized experience and approach to learning.

Hab) for over 300

November 2023 | The Special Child

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special needs Directory | Special Advertising Supplement

ASD to lead independent and productive lives.

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, they offer related services such as speech, OT, PT, and counseling within the building.

The Law Firm of Kevin P. McKernan 503 Mosely Avenue Staten Island, NY 10312 718-317-5007 kmckernanlaw.com Seeking compassionate legal counsel for your family’s future? Look no further. Kevin McKernan Law specializes in estate planning, wills, and trusts tailored to families, especially those that have special needs children and young adults. With a deep understanding of the unique challenges you face, we craft

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.

OUR CORE VALUES :

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 self-empowering.

SERVICES OFFERED : Day Supports • Residential Supports • Housing Rental Subsidy Career Supports • Community Habilitation • Respite Family Education & Training • Self-Direction

150 Granite Ave, Staten Island, NY 10303 s 718-370-1088 s info@pccsny.org

www.pccsny.org

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Connect with us! @pccsny

comprehensive and personalized solutions to ensure a secure and thriving future for your loved ones. Put your family’s well-being first - contact them today for expert guidance in safeguarding your family’s financial legacy and your child’s future.

Dr. Lisa Lazzara, Kids Dental 739 Woodrow Road, 10312 718-356-5437 sikidsdental.com Kids Dental understands that every child’s dental needs are as unique as their smiles and require an individualized approach. All doctors at Kids Dental pride themselves on specialized and comprehensive care solely focused on your child’s needs, especially those with special needs.

Kids Dental has kid-friendly themed rooms for your child to relax and make the first experience a very happy one.

From the moment you walk into the office, their focus is on your child.

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.

Sandra Mazzucco, SpeechLanguage 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.

Staten Island Alliance for North Shore Children and Families statenislandalliance.com sialliance2022@gmail.com The SI Alliance for North Shore Children and Families is a coalition of organizations, schools and community members focused on improving the overall well-being of children 0-8 years old. The SI Alliance promotes equity and addresses disparities while connecting SI North Shore families to resources located on SI. Families can access the SI Alliance Resource Hub via the website.

Sunny Days Consulting Services 1110 South Ave., Suite 405, 10314 718-556-1616 sunnydays.com Sunny Days provides homebased 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.

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 offering an interactive and multi-sensory language based approach for successful learning. Programs are led by special educators and include Speech and Occupational Therapy, special instruction, Little Essentials Toddler Program, integrated activity classes, and Summer Camp. Services offered in individual and group settings alongside the support needed for language acquisition, and to attain socialization skills.

Their indoor sensory gym and outdoor play yard offer endless opportunities to learn and grow!

Presents P

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ParentEd Talks series has a tremendous lineup of expert speakers who will help boost your parenting IQ.Topics include tips for raising technology-savvy kids in a screen-obsessed world; deepening connection with our partners and children; fostering the key traits and habits that are predictors of children’s success and good health — and much more.

Don’t miss out! One quick registration gains you access to the entire lineup.

Christine Rosen, Ph.D. | Nov. 14, 2023 Promise and Peril: Emerging AI Technologies in Education Joe Clement and Matt Miles | Dec. 6, 2023 Screen Schooled: Raising Screen-Savvy Kids in an Era of Technology Overuse Stacey Freedenthal, Ph.D., LISW | Jan. 10, 2024 Brave Listening: The Secret to Safeguarding Your Child’s Mental Health Amelia Bachleda, Ph.D., and Marley Jarvis, Ph.D Jan. 23 , 2023 How the Power of Play Cultivates Healing and Resilience Julietta Skoog, Ed.S. | Feb. 6, 2024 Positive Parenting: Conscious Discipline Strategies for More Peaceful Days

Katie Davis, Ph.D. | March 5, 2024 Technology’s Child: Empowered Parenting in the Digital Age David Heppard and Kimonti Carter | March 27, 2024 Beyond Resilience: Raising the Next Generation of Anti-Oppression Leaders Nate and Kaley Klemp | April 16, 2024 Stronger Together: A New Model for Modern Marriage &PEMV 'EVPIXSR ERH =EδE 1EVMX^ 01,' ` May 1, 2024 The Quantum Power of Self-Nurturing for a Balanced Life Janine Halloran, LMHC | June 5, 2024 Calm and Connected: Coping Skills for Kids in High-Anxiety Times

Presenting Sponsor

SIParent.com/ParentEdTalks November 2023 | The Special Child

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