Kids with autism spectrum disorders who struggle with social anxiety have a new role model in the pageantry world: 19-year-old Alexandria Hodnik, who has Asperger’s syndrome and recently competed in the Miss New York USA pageant. In 2013, Asperger’s Sydrome was folded into the Autism Spectrum Disorder diagnosis, no longer being used as a standalone diagnosis. After years of struggling with communication skills, Hodnik started competing in beauty pageants to overcome her social anxiety, which helped her become more outgoing and serve as proof that a disability doesn’t have to hold anyone back.

Jul 17, 2019

Advocates Say NYC's $8.8 Billion Plan to Address School Overcrowding Isn't Focused on the Right Fix

While the number of overcrowded schools in New York City has declined by 31 buildings since 2015, some 520,000 kids–roughly half of the city’s student population–attend schools that are oversaturated and ill-equipped to handle their student bodies. The worst overcrowding is happening in Brooklyn, Queens, and the central Bronx. Overall, there are 1.1 million students in 1,840 schools in 32 districts across the five boroughs. Some students are forced to learn in Transportable Classroom Units (TCUs), trailers placed outside main school buildings, in order to make sure there is enough space for everyone. The city has been trying to fix this problem for years.

Jul 16, 2019

Stanley Black & Decker Hosted a “Quiet Race” for Kids with Autism as Part of Initiative with Autism Speaks

Stanley Black & Decker and the Envision Virgin Racing Team created a unique racing experience for kids with autism spectrum disorder at the ABB FIA Formula E Racing Championship New York E Prix on July 13-14. The quiet race aimed to advance inclusion and foster understanding and acceptance of neurodiversity. Kids and their families received a special behind-the-scenes garage tour and a special race-day experience that accommodated all sensory sensitivities. Guests were also given the opportunity to learn about STEM careers in motorsports.

Jul 15, 2019

Whitby School Names Dr. Jack Creeden as Interim Head of School

Whitby School in Greenwich, Connecticut named Dr. John “Jack” Creeden as its Interim Head of School on July 15. Creeden was chosen from a pool of distinguished candidates for his experience and leadership in independent schools. He was recently Head of School at Chadwick School, an independent K-12 school in California, and previously served as president of School Year Abroad, where he was responsible for the leadership and administration of the school’s one-year language immersion program in four schools in China, France, Italy, and Spain. Creeden served as the Chair of the Board of Trustees of the National Association of Independent Schools from 2012-2015.

Jul 15, 2019

The Benefits of Playing Ice Hockey

Whether your child is a hockey fan and wants to learn how to play ice hockey, or you’re just looking for a way to get your child moving and having fun, hockey is a sport that can be played and enjoyed for life. No matter what age your child is, it’s always a good time to learn to play ice hockey, and there are numerous benefits of learning and playing the team sport. We’re a little biased here at Northwell Health Ice Center, the official practice facility of the New York Islanders, but we think hockey is one of the greatest sports. It’s certainly the greatest game on ice!

Inclusive Activities and Events for Children with Special Needs in NYC

Children with special needs, disabilities, or sensory issues can face certain challenges when it comes to connecting with peers and making friends, especially when many are uncomfortable or unable to participate in all kid-friendly activities. Here, a list of kid-friendly venues in New York City and its boroughs, including museums and the public libraries, that dedicate time and space for children with special needs and all abilities to have fun, play, and most importantly, and interact and make friends with each other.

Apr 24, 2019

5 Ways to See Dinosaurs in New York City and Beyond

Indulge your kids' dinosaur obsession this summer with any of these fun outdoor activities taking place across the Tri-State area.

Apr 26, 2019

Awesome Family Events Happening This Weekend in Nassau County

Looking to plan an awesome weekend packed with fun for the whole family? Whether you are planning a day trip in close to the New York metro area or are looking for kid-friendly fun that's close to home, we've got you covered! There’s a lot of kid-friendly family fun planned for this weekend right here in Nassau County. From concerts and performances to museum exhibits, shows, crafts activities, seasonal events, and parades, you'll find something to do that keeps the whole family having fun! Plan your weekend on Long Island with our guide that highlights the best family-friendly events happening in and around Nassau County, including family fun in and near Uniondale, Wantagh, East Meadow, Roslyn Harbor, Bellmore, Garden City, Mineola, Rockville Centre, Syosset, Westbury, Farmingdale, Hempstead, Plainview, Woodbury, and Jericho.

Jul 15, 2019

Making a Plan for Your Child with Special Needs' Life

In Susan Platkin’s eyes, self-direction has always been the only acceptable path for her daughter Ruth. Ruth is 32 and has intellectual disabilities and bipolar disorder, and despite her unique challenges now lives in an apartment in East Northport, not far from Platkin, with a roommate and staff—and is loving it. Platkin does not believe this accomplishment would be possible without self-direction or Ruth’s Life Plan, a newer Office for People with Developmental Disabilities service that gives her an active voice in her future. For parents of children with special needs, the future can be frightening instead of exciting—but Life Plans, also called Person-Centered Service Plans, are a way to ensure children with disabilities can tackle adulthood and have access to the same fulfillment as neurotypical children.

Apr 26, 2019

NYC Students Now Have Option to Change Their Name, Gender, Without Legal Documentation

Starting with the upcoming school year, students attending New York City public schools are no longer required to show any legal documents in order to change their name and/or gender on their permanent school records, according to a press release from the NYC Department of Education. Chancellor Richard Carranza made this announcement on June 28 in an effort to provide the “most comprehensive and affirming” guidelines to support transgender and “gender expansive” students. While the new rule still requires students to obtain permission from their parent or guardian before they make any changes, Carranza said that this regulation aims to, ”ensure that students’ identities are affirmed, respected, and supported in schools.”

Jul 11, 2019

Benefits of Music Education

Music education isn't just a nice extra—it helps children with academics, character development, empathy, and more.

Nov 16, 2017

Advocates Say NYC's $8.8 Billion Plan to Address School Overcrowding Isn't Focused on the Right Fix

Jul 16, 2019

Stanley Black & Decker Hosted a “Quiet Race” for Kids with Autism as Part of Initiative with Autism Speaks

Jul 15, 2019

Whitby School Names Dr. Jack Creeden as Interim Head of School

Jul 15, 2019

Marra & Glick Applied Behavior Analysts is Opening a New Hyde Park Location

This summer, Marra & Glick Applied Behavior Analysts is expanding to New Hyde Park with a new center-based location that offers behavior intervention services using the principles of applied behavior analysis, including an interim alternative placement for home instruction for students with autism spectrum disorders. The New Hyde Park location will be unique because it will offer early intervention and preschool programming to child 18 months and older. Marra & Glick’s goal is to help its students transition back into their recommended school placements.

Jul 15, 2019

14-Year-Old Helps Launch Book Vending Machines for Kids Across NYC

Six vending machines offering free books to kids who want to avoid the summer slump opened across the five boroughs on July 11. 14-year-old Marley Dias from West Orange, NJ helped to unveil the machines and emphasized the books are free for everyone. Kids can take whichever books they are interested in, and don’t have to return them. The vending machines are part of Jet Blue’s Soar with Reading program. The machines aim to promote reading in toddlers up through teenagers, especially in underserved communities of the city.

Jul 12, 2019

The Best Foods for Brain Development

As parents, we all want our children to succeed in school and excel in academics, but did you know what they eat throughout the day can impact their performance? In fact, students who eat meals that are aligned with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans (established by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion) are better learners, receive higher test scores, earn higher academic grades, and have reduced instances of being absent from school, says Kim Doyle, senior director of nutrition and compliance at Revolution Foods, citing a 2018 study from the University of California, Berkeley.

Mar 21, 2019

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