Resources for Parents of Children with Autism and Related Disorders in Westchester County

Prepared by Frishman & Faber

Please note that this is not a complete list, and is only a list of services known by the author.  Frishman & Faber do not endorse, support, or recommend any of the providers, services, or information contained herein.

Autism Society of America, Westchester Chapter: (914) 833-2594, www.westchesterasa.org.

Autism Research Institute (ARI) & Defeat Autism Now! (DAN): (619) 563-6840, www.autismresearchinstitute.com, www.DANconference.com, Dedicated to increasing awareness and educating parents and clinicians regarding biomedically based research, appropriate testing, and safe and effective treatment for preventing, improving, and when possible recovering children with Autism.

Autism Speaks - merged with NAAR - The National Alliance for Autism Research- Westchester Fairfield Office: www.autismspeaks.org, (203) 552-8980, The first organization in the U.S. dedicated to the funding and biomedical research focusing on autism spectrum disorders.

Boys and Girls Club of Mount Kisco: (914) 666-8069, swim classes for children with special needs – 1:1 ratio.  A variety of different programs.

Camp BaShemesh, www.jcconthehudson.org, (914) 366-7898, A summer program for children with Special needs.

CAMPS: Information on camps for children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder, www.acacamps.org, (click on “find a camp”) or call the American Camping Association at (212) 268-7822 for an annual directory.

CARD – Center for Autism and Related Disorders, www.centerforautism.com, (914) 683-3833.

CHILD, (914) 722-6030, CHILDofwestchester@verizon.net Evaluations, sensory integration, occupational therapy, handwriting remediation, speech therapy, social groups, and therapuetic listening

Church of the Magdalene, (914) 592-2784, Catholic Mass services for special needs families.

Creative Yogashine, (914) 769-8745, Group or individual yoga for children with emotional, developmental and physical disabilities.

Foundation for Educating Children with Autism (FECA), (914) 941-FECA, www.fecainc.org, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing the appropriate educational opportunities for children with Autism, based on Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) through the development of schools, inclusion and vocational programs, consumer advocacy and community outreach.

Frishman & Faber, (914) 241-3680, www.frishmanfaber.com, attorneys specializing in special education advocacy, school law, public benefits, guardianship, and financial and estate planning for disabled individuals and their families.

Gail Gallante and Associates, (914) 422-3210, Evaluations, speech therapy, social groups, and educational intervention.

Greenburgh Special Education Recreation, (914) 693-8985 ext 128, Offers a large array of activities and outings for children with disabilities, such as horseback riding, swim classes, art classes, dances and parties.

Heartsong, (914) 725-9272,  Music and art therapy for children of all ages with all special needs.  Eight children per class.  Free program.

HERO, (914) 761-2130, Adapted tennis, dance, music, and pet therapy for all ages.

Holistic Learning Center, (914) 793-9100,  Educational, behavioral, and sensory interventions for children for children with Autism.

The Home Program, (914) 949-3751,  Behavior management consultation services, in-home training to address sleeping, toileting, mealtime, compliance and community behavior.

Hudson Valley DDSO, Claudia Mace, (914) 287-7745,  Programs funded by the New York State Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities.  An array of services for persons with developmental disabilities including, social, respite, family training and recreational activities.  Most services are no fee.

JCC on the Hudson, (914) 366-7898, Ila Russo,  www.jcconthehudson.org, An array of services for children and adults with special needs, including a “Sunday Funday” program, vacation camps, inclusion camps, recreational programs, adult services, and Jewish education.

JCC of Mid-Westchester, (914) 472-3300, programming, and school programs for children with special needs.

LEV: Learning from the Heart, (914) 666-2292, once a week Jewish learning classes for children with special needs.

MATAN, (914) 472-3300 x335, Hebrew school programs for children with special needs

McCarton Center, Dr. Cecilia McCarton, (212) 996-9035, Comprehensive evaluations for children with developmental delays.

Methodist Church of the Tarrytowns, (914) 591-1009, Religious services and programs for families with children with disabilities.

Miracle Leaugue of Westchester, Inc., (914) 305-4014, Little league program for children with disability.

Music Therapy Institute of the Music Conservatory of Westchester, (914) 761-3900, Music therapy programs and adaptive instrument lessons for children with disabilities.

Navigating The Spectrum, (914) 826-5300, Sponsors workshops and events for families

North East Westchester Special Recreation, Inc., (914) 347-4409, Weekend, summer and after school recreational programs for children with special needs

NorWest, (914) 737-4797, www.norwest@bestweb.net, Year-round therapeutic recreational programs for children with disabilities age 5 and up.  Weekend programs, school vacation programs, after school programs, 6 week summer camp, and an august mini camp.

Northern Westchester Center for the Arts (NWCA), (14) 241-6922 ext. 22, Mary@NWCAonline.org,  A vast array of programs for children ages 4 to adult with developmental disabilities including, art, music, theatre, creative writing, yoga and dance, kung fu and ballet.

Once Upon a River, (914) 591-6868, www.onceuponariver.com, Martial arts, art therapy, nutrition counseling and yoga for children 3-16.  Classes have a 4:1 ratio.

Optimal Health & Development Center, (914) 428-8004, www.Optimalhdc.com, A full service center for children and families with special needs children, including but not limited to, chiropractic, nutritional, herbal, acupuncture, interactive metronome, art therapy, music therapy, speech therapy (PROMPT trained), occupational therapy, Applied Behavior Analysis, social skills groups, counseling, support groups, and advocacy.

Parents Place, Inc., (914) 948-5187, A 2 hour drop in center for children ages birth through 5 with care givers for singing, art, play, snack and the opportunity to talk to social workers and other parents.

Pegasus, (203) 356-9504, www.narha.org, Therapeutic horseback riding for children with special needs.

Dr. Seth Pearl, (914) 428-8004, DAN (Defeat Autism Now practitioner) who specializes in the effective treatment of children with Autistic Spectrum Disorders.  

South East Consortium For Special Services, Inc., (914) 698-5232, www.SECREC.ORG, Provides therapeutic recreation programs and leisure services to children and adults with disabilities and special needs

Special Program and Resource Connection (SPARC), (914) 243-0583, Recreation and cultural programs for children and teens focusing on socialization and haw to handle themselves in the community.  Saturday morning music classes for children with autism.  Private consultations for home music, art and recreational therapies also available.

Special Needs After School Center, Inc., (914) 761-9518,  Provides evaluations, advocacy services and 1:1 certified special education teachers for children first grade through college.

The Spectrum Communications Center, (212) 223-2928,Provides the Tomatis method of listening training as the cornerstone to an integrated therapy service for children, adolescents, and adults with autism, PDD, and other delays.

Spirited Friends, Inc. (914) 841-9847,  Therapeutic facilitated play and recreational program which incorporates sensory play for children 3-14 years with special needs.

Ted Roth, Ph.D., N.Y.S. Licensed Psychologist, (914) 674-0573, Address emotional needs in a professionally led therapeutic support group devoted entirely to the unique needs of families with special children.  Mothers groups, fathers groups, sibling groups, grandparent groups, and couple groups are available, in addition to individual, couple, family, and sibling therapy.

Westchester Arc: (914) 428-8330, www.westchesterarc.org, Services include but are not limited to, adult day, clinical, educational, guardianship, life planning, recreational, residential, respite, transitional, vocational, and sibling services for children and adults with developmental disabilities and their families.

Wagon Road Camp, (914) 238-4761, Overnight respite program servicing children 7-17 years old with physical and developmental disabilities.  Open weekends and school holidays October – May and for one week in August.  Offering arts and crafts, athletics, nature, cooking, horseback riding, music and drama.

Westchester Center for Educational and Emotional Development (WCEED), (914) 593-0593, Task-oriented social skills groups for pre-school children.  Speech therapy and occupational therapy. 

WFA – Westchester Foundation for Autism and Related Developmental Delays, (914) 741-5019, www.wfaautism.org, An organization dedicated to improving the quality of life of families having children with autism and related developmental delays, through social events, education, recreational programs, and family support groups.

Westchester Gymnastics and Dance, (914) 592-2324,  Sunday morning gymnastics classes for children with special needs.

Westchester Institute for Human Development – WIHD, (914) 493-8202, www.nymc.edu/wihd,  An array of services and information for children, families, and adults with developmental disabilities including, adult health, assistive technology, behavioral health, child development, children’s advocacy, child welfare, consumer resources, dental, early childhood, nutritional, school/community, speech and hearing, and the Family Connection.

Westchester Jewish Community Services (WJCS), (914) 565-8610, Jewish cultural program for developmentally disabled children and adults.  Provides adapted religious services including bar/bat mitzvah program.

Westchester ParentLink, parentlinkinfo@aol.com, www.westchesterparentlink.org; parent information and support for families with children with high functioning Autism, Asperger's, and related disorders

Westchester Skating Academy, (914) 347-3232, Sunday afternoon ice hockey league for children with special needs.

YWCA of White Plains, (914) 949-6227, After school, summer camp, vacation camp, recreation, swimming, and music programs for children with special needs.

Please contact  Frishman & Faber with any questions or additions to this list - (914) 241-3680.

*Please Note:  This is not a complete list, and is only a list of services known by the author.  Frishman & Faber do not endorse, support or recommend any of the  providers, services, or information contained herein.