Support Groups, Play Groups, and More for LI Special-Needs Families

Pop Earth provides holistic health and wellness options for those with autism and other developmental disorders.
Pop Earth provides holistic health and wellness options for those with autism and other developmental disorders.
7/19/18 - By Ayesha Edwards

Families of special-needs children encounter special challenges. The good news is, on Long Island there are quite a lot of resources available for support.

Many times these challenges are not anticipated. Although caregivers might get some relief from drop-off respite programs, other support services can be required. The firms and agencies below offer support programs ranging from personal care and training to financial services, and even playtime.

For more information, see our guide to special-needs services on Long Island, including a look at the region's top sensory gardens, inclusive playgrounds, and more.

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Legal and Financial Planning

While we’re able to, we parents do everything we can to demonstrate our love for our children. But what happens when we are no longer here? While unpleasant to consider, it is an essential reality for parents of special-needs children. The law firms below have extensive knowledge and experience in special-needs issues. Lawyers at both firms have children with special needs and can identify and empathize with the families who hire them. 

State Support

The Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) is a New York State agency responsible for coordinating services for more than 130,000 New Yorkers with developmental disabilities, including intellectual disabilities, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, autism spectrum disorders and other neurological impairments. If you care for anyone with such diagnoses, OPWDD can provide services directly or through a network of about 700 nonprofit agencies. OPWDD offers Medicaid services; state-funded support services to assist families in caring for loved ones who live full time in their homes; employment support, including job coaching, job matching and vocational training; as well as intensive residential and day services.

Medicaid eligibility is not dependent on the caregiver’s income, but rather on the status of the person with the disability. Likewise, a reimbursement program affiliated with OPWDD can help defray the costs of camp, diapers, wipes, and other out-of-pocket expenses associated with disabilities. Call the Long Island regional office at 631-434-6100.

Personal Care

Dental
Kiddsmile Pediatric Dentistry — Islandwide
Kiddsmile specializes in pediatric dentistry for kids of all ages with special needs. It customizes each child’s dental care based on his or her specific needs, The staff is highly qualified and you can access all forms online prior to your visit to minimize your wait time. To schedule a visit, contact your preferred location directly. Locations are in Holbrook, Manhasset, Merrick, North Babylon, and Syosset.

Hair
Family Center of Autism —  Garden City
For a cut above the rest, the Family Center for Autism offers haircuts in the peace and calm of a relaxation spa. This service is open to the public so you can enjoy a relaxing massage in an environment that’s supportive to children and adults with special needs. All stylists are specially trained and all services are by appointment only.

Foundations and Organizations 

Adults & Children with Learning Developmental Disabilities, Inc. – Bethpage
Known as ACLD,   Adults & Children with Learning Disabilities, Inc. provides opportunities for children and adults with autism and learning and developmental disabilities to live life to the fullest. Services are available for those ages 3 to 21. It also periodically hosts a family support services fair at which families can meet representatives from OPWDD, Medicaid, Social Security, and elsewhere.

RELATED: Enjoy a visit to the sensory room at the Long Island Children's Museum  


The Adler Center in Plainview offers music-therapy programs for children and adults with developmental disabilities. 

Adler Center at Mid Island Y JCC – Plainview
The Adler Center hosts a number of programs to support children and adults with special needs. In addition to its camp, respite, and vocational skills programs, the Adler Center hosts a social/recreational program for children and teens ages 3 and older to help them navigate home, school, and their communities. Enjoy adaptive sports, music and art therapy, cooking, sensory and life-skills lessons, and more. Participants are grouped according to their ages and functioning levels.

Life’s WORC Family Center – Garden City
The Family Center is another one-stop shop on Long Island for families impacted by special needs. Its Behavior Intervention Service provides progressive and innovative support to individuals whose developmental challenges impact their daily lives. Its BIS team works directly with individuals and their families, as well as school staff at home and also through school districts in Nassau and Suffolk counties. 


Pop Earth offers unique health-treatment options for those with special needs. 

Pop Earth —  Islandwide
Population Earth, better known as Pop Earth, is a nonprofit focused on providing health-treatment options for people with special needs. Pop Earth believes the nurturing touch of massage therapy and sensory integration contribute to the reduction of inattentiveness, touch aversion and withdrawal. It offers half-hour or hourlong sessions to children and parents and demonstrates simple touch therapy routines for parents that can be done at home to relax children before bed or during moments of anxiety. 

The Theresa Foundation – Long Beach
The Theresa Foundation was established by Susan and Vincent Russo in honor of their daughter, Theresa Alessandra Russo. The foundation fosters each special-needs child’s unique abilities through direct support and programs focusing on art, music, dance, and recreation. Programs include:

  • Family Comes First, which offers television and online support for families impacted by special needs. Its mission is to highlight challenges families face and provide them with hope. The show features real families facing real issues with grace, hope, and determination and is the inspirational java needed throughout the day. 
  • Theresa’s Fun Place is an outdoor playground and park located at the Children’s Learning Center on the campus of Cerebral Palsy of Nassau, Inc. in Roosevelt. Year round, more than 250 students enjoy this fully adapted playground, which is also utilized for its Mobility Opportunities Via Education, or MOVE, program. The playground was updated in 2004 and renovated again to ensure children can maximize their fun through movement with quality equipment.
  • Theresa Academy of Performing Arts (TAPA) in Lido Beach provides a variety of support programs in addition to its weekend respite, after-school classes, and summer camp. TAPA hosts classes and workshops that support awareness of the challenges of different special needs. Families are encouraged to learn and grow in a supportive and inclusive environment. 

RELATED: 99 great sensory activities for kids


Variety Child Learning Center offers essential programs for special-needs children and their families in Nassau and Suffolk.

Variety Child Learning Center – Levittown, Syosset
Variety Child Learning Center is one of Long Island’s most prestigious private schools. It also hosts support programs for nonstudents. Through OPWDD Family Support Services, families can enroll their children in Variety’s social skills classes as well as its motor skills group known as Fabulous Fingers. Sessions, offered after school as well as on weekends, fill up quite quickly.

Photos courtesy of the centers

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