What YOU Can Do... A Message from Staten Island Borough President James P. Molinaro •Be well informed about your child and his or her needs. There are many resources in this guide that are available to help. Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) •Don’t wait if you have concerns. is the fastest-growing developmental Contact any of the agencies listed inside. disability in America today. While parents of children with ASD often learn early on what kind of treatment and •Know your child’s rights. services are needed, it can be difficult to gain access to them. It is crucial Reach out to your legislators and let them that effective services, treatment, and • education for children and adults with know how important services are for your ASD are accessed as quickly as possible. child or yourself. The earlier they receive appropriate services, the better the prognosis. Help raise autism awareness. • To help parents take action after their child has been The more we can educate our community, diagnosed with ASD, Staten Island’s autism services providers the easier it will be for our children. worked together to compile our Borough’s first-ever comprehensive resource guide to better support and inform local families and Find out where your elected officials stand on professionals. This handy booklet provides detailed contact • information for autism organizations on Staten Island that offer issues relating to autism. Don’t forget to VOTE. services to both children and adults. Finding the right place for autism treatment and services can be a difficult process, but we •Stay involved. hope that this new resource guide will help make that journey This is only the beginning of the journey to easier. make sure children and adults with autism get A diagnosis of ASD presents real challenges for parents and the services and supports they need. caregivers. While the medical community seeks to find answers to the causes of ASD, we have an obligation to help those living with it. I hope that you will find this guide useful, and I urge you to become active in the Staten Island autism community. We need the help of parents, grandparents, doctors, educators, and friends to continue to build the support and assistance needed to improve the lives of loved ones with Autism Spectrum Disorder. For more information, and to sign up for our Autism mailing list, please visit: James P. Molinaro I have the RIGHT... TABLE OF CONTENTS to go to my neighborhood school, PROGRAMS IN NYCDOE COMMUNITY SCHOOLS 1 to work in my community, EARLY INTERVENTION PROGRAMS 5 to go out on a Friday night, PRE-SCHOOL PROGRAMS 6 to live where I choose, SPECIAL EDUCATION ITINERANT TEACHERS 7 to be a productive member of RSO/RSA 8 my community, SCHOOL & AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAMS 9 to go to college, ADULT PROGRAMS 10 to be involved in ALL decisions RES HAB & RESPITE 11 affecting my future, BEHAVIORAL MANAGEMENT & SUpport 12 to be respected, STATE APPROVED EVALUATION SITES 13 for you to understand and embrace ELECTED OFFICIALS 15 my abilities, FACTS ABOUT AUTISM 17 to a good quality of life. I have the same RIGHTS as you. WE have the RIGHT to be heard. NYCDOE COMMUNITY SCHOOL NYCDOE COMMUNITY SCHOOL PROGRAMS IN SI PUBLIC SCHOOLS PROGRAMS IN SI PUBLIC SCHOOLS THAT SUPPORT STUDENTS ON THE AUTISM SPECTRUM THAT SUPPORT STUDENTS ON THE AUTISM SPECTRUM THE A.S.D. NEST PROGRAM P.S. 60 AND P.S. 69 NEW DORP HIGH SCHOOL is the New York City Department of in Staten Island have developed an 8:1:1 self- has a program for high functioning ASD Program staff regularly assesses students’ Education’s Integrated Co-Teaching (ICT) contained program for students with ASD who students in grades 9 - 11. The school is divided progress and needs, encouraging autonomy program for higher functioning children with need more intensive educational supports. In into “Small Learning Communities” and the while providing needed support. TAP students autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). Each addition to a structured learning environment, students select which academy they wish to meet daily with the Program Coordinator classroom has two teachers with training in the in-class occupational therapy and speech attend. There is a “Resource Teacher” who and participate in regular Social Skills and specialized curricula and instructional strategies therapy are a vital component of this program. serves a dual role as the Special Education Counseling Groups. They attend classes with used in the program. Nestled within supportive Note: Identification of students for this program is Services and Supports provider and also as mainstream students and are encouraged to get neighborhood schools, the ASD Nest program determined through the special education evaluation the teacher in the “Center”. The Center is a involved in extra-curricular activities in the helps children with ASD learn how to function and IEP review processes as conducted in schools place for the ASD students to go for academic school. and at the CSE office. well academically, behaviorally and socially in and social situation assistance. A trained school and in their community. The ASD Nest social worker and speech therapist work with New Dorp High School P.S. 60 program opened in September 2003 at PS 32 the students on IEP goals, socialization and 465 New Dorp Lane 55 Merrill Avenue in Brooklyn with nine children on the autism activities of everyday life. The students travel Staten Island, NY 10306 Staten Island, NY 10314 spectrum. The program has since expanded to classes in general education as well as special throughout the city, including two schools on education settings, based on their various P.S. 69 Staten Island: P.S. 4 which provides ASD Nest academic needs and IEPS. A paraprofessional TOTTENVILLE HIGH SCHOOL 144 Keating Place for students in grades K-5, and newly opened is present in each class. Opportunities for has ASD students in all four grades. The Staten Island, NY 10314 this year P.S. 69 with one Kindergarten class. socialization are developed and joining school school provides a 1st period “Breakfast Club” Note: There is a screening process to determine clubs, teams and attendance at events is which is run by the social worker and speech student eligibility for this program, conducted encouraged. Eighth grade students apply to therapist. This time is used to develop social M.S. 24 by the ASD evaluation team at the Committee New Dorp High School’s TAP Program when skills and work on activities of everyday life. in Staten Island supports students with ASDs in on Special Education (CSE). their parents and school staff believe they are A social club also meets after school and takes grades 6-8 with methods and resource teachers capable of succeeding in a general education trips. Students are also encouraged to join other and paraprofessionals. P.S. 4 high school setting, with support services. school-wide clubs, organizations and teams. Nedra Lane Students who enter into the program must Students receive instruction in a variety of The diagnostic assessment for the Transitional Staten Island, NY 10312 have Asperger’s Syndrome as a primary, Axis educational settings, including honors classes, Asperger Program reflects the unique nature I diagnosis. After initial screening and review based on their individual needs in each subject of the educational environment and support P.S. 69 of the IEP, the child and family will be invited and in accordance with their IEP. A Transition services provided for the students in this 144 Keating Place to New Dorp for an interview so that all parties Planning class is also offered. Related and Intermediate School program. The diagnostic Staten Island, NY 10314 can determine the appropriateness of fit. Once support services are also provided according evaluation is designed to identify characteristics students are accepted to the school, they will to the IEP. This is a zoned High School. associated with Asperger’s Syndrome, as elect to join one of eight Smaller Learning Note: Identification of students for this program is well as the severity or subtlety of those Communities based on their strengths and determined through the special education evaluation characteristics. This program is designed to interests. and IEP review processes as conducted in schools meet the needs of those students who could and at the CSE office. achieve educational success within the general Prospective students are given ample education environment with support. The Tottenville High School opportunity to acquaint themselves with the evaluation process for the incoming school year 100 Luten Avenue school and its expectations. Visits are arranged usually begins in the middle of March, with Staten Island, NY 10314 throughout the 8th grade year, and students are cases conferenced by the end of May, beginning COntact: able to meet and become comfortable with of June. Paul Byas teachers, support staff and other students in the TAP Program. From the intake process through [email protected] I.S. 24 each child’s high school career, focus is placed 225 Cleveland Avenue on increasing independence in preparation for Staten Island, NY 10308 college and the world of work. -1- -2- PROGRAMS OFFERED IN NYC NYCDOE DISTRICT 75 CITYWIDE DEPT. OF EDUCATION DISTRICT 75 PROGRAMS FOR STUDENTS ON THE AUTISM SPECTRUM DISTRICT 75 PS 3 ANNEX 373R MAIN SITE (K-5) instructs students with autism in classes Our students are provided with all related 6581 Hylan Boulevard 91 Henderson Avenue throughout New York City. Our mission is services that are needed to support them Staten Island, NY 10309 Staten Island, NY 10301 to ensure instructional practices that reflect and help them access instruction. Our 718.227.2854 718.816.8897 the individual needs of these students programs serve those from 3 years to Contact: Illene Goldstein-Harnett, Principal including those with diverse cultural and 21 years of age.