UPDATED October 2017: Are you looking for the most comprehensive guide to special needs resources in Manhattan? Our guide has listings for therapists, special needs camps, medical experts, advocates and special needs support groups for families all over Manhattan, including the Upper East Side, the Upper West Side, Midtown, Lower Manhattan, and the Bronx.
ATLAS FOUNDATION FOR AUTISM
252 W. 29th St., 3rd Floor, New York
212-256-0846
Email friedm21@yahoo.com

The Atlas Foundation for Autism houses the Atlas School as well as speech, OT services, music, after-school classes, and weekend social skills groups! Atlas is different in its approach to working within modalities that address communication, emotional and social thinking, as well as behavior and self-esteem! People are welcome to join from every developmental level to play, learn, and grow together as a community!

BAKSHI LAW
Offices in the Financial District, Long Island, and Westchester ,
917-244-6133
Email lara.bakshi@gmail.com

Bakshi Law specializes in special education law. We represent parents and children with disabilities, acquire correct classification under IDEA, ensure proper implementation of IEP, ascertain correct placement for children, and tuition reimbursement. We attend CSE meetings, resolution meetings, and suspension hearings, and all disciplinary hearings for special needs and general education students. Bakshi Law’s attorneys are passionate about your child’s education and offer assistance on a sliding scale for parents experiencing financial difficulties.

CAMP HUNTINGTON
56 Bruceville Road, High Falls
855-707-2267
Email dfalk@camphuntington.com

Camp Huntington is a coed, residential program for children (ages 6-22) with autism and related learning and developmental needs. Our summer and weekend camp programs maximize a child’s potential, and locate and develop strengths and hidden abilities. Campers enjoy fun-filled days while learning practical social and life skills. Our unique program of adaptive, therapeutic recreation combines key elements that encourage progress: structured programming, nurturing care, a positive setting, and academic instruction to meet IEP goals.

CHATTY CHILD SPEECH & OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY, P.L.L.C.
325 Broadway, Suite 403, New York
347-491-4451
Email info@chattychild.com

Chatty Child Speech Therapy & Occupational Therapy, P.L.L.C. is a personalized therapeutic center in downtown Manhattan. We provide comprehensive speech-language and occupational therapy services. We are available to provide ST and OT evaluations, individual sessions, and group sessions. We accept DOE-RSAs, EI, and private pay for out-of-network reimbursement. Our therapists are highly experienced, caring, and passionate about creating a unique learning experience for each child. We have years of experience treating a variety of developmental delays. Come take a tour of Chatty Child!

COMPREHENSIVE KIDS DEVELOPMENTAL SCHOOL
101 Norfolk St., Manhattan
212-566-8855
Email info@comprehensivekids.org

Comprehensive Kids Developmental School is a private school in lower Manhattan specializing in the treatment of autism spectrum disorder utilizing the principles of applied behavior analysis. Individualized instruction is provided for children ages 3-21. Our highly trained instructors implement intervention grounded in data-based research across all content areas including academics, language, social, behavioral, and life skills. Our professional staff include board-certified behavior analysts, psychologists, speech therapists, special educators, occupational and physical therapists. We foster a team atmosphere, supporting our families in helping them to understand the special needs of their children through direct family training.

DANIEL’S MUSIC FOUNDATION
1595 Lexington Ave., 2nd floor, New York
212-289-8912
Email info@danielsmusic.org

Music has been used as a healing force for centuries. Its beauty, power, and personal relevance have made it a wonderful instrument for the wellness of individuals with disabilities. Daniel’s Music Foundation (DMF) is a non-profit organization that empowers individuals with developmental and physical disabilities by combining recreational music programs with community and socialization. We use the transformative power of music to create a community that is built on acceptance and respect. For us, it is about having our members feel accepted both within our community as well as the greater community at large.

EASY PEASY POTTY TRAINING-GREATER NYC AREA
516-318-5228

EASY PEASY POTTY offers a customized potty training plan specific to your child’s needs, at very affordable prices. As a parent, you receive instructions for effectively training your child. Parents have an opportunity to learn how to work with their child and share the successful potty training experience with them in a rewarding manner. Consultation can be offered on the phone or in person. Please refer to the website for more detailed information. An intake form can be completed online so that you can easily begin the process.

GATEWAY SCHOOL (THE)
211 W. 61st St. 6th Floor, New York
212-777-5966
Email admissions@gatewayschool.org

Founded in 1965, The Gateway School is an independent, coed day school for children ages 5-14 with language-based learning disabilities or attention deficit. It was among the first schools in the country to recognize that bright children who had difficulty learning simply had to be taught differently. Gateway teaches the skills, strategies, and content necessary for students to realize their potential in school and in life. In a language-rich setting, students experience academic success, recognize their strengths, and develop self-advocacy skills.

GILLEN BREWER SCHOOL (THE)
410 E. 92nd St., New York
212-831-3667
Email info@gillenbrewer.com

The Gillen Brewer School’s mission is to educate and support our students to become confident, independent, and engaged learners. GBS serves 90 students from four of New York City’s boroughs. Our extensive, therapeutic, 12-month program integrates speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, and counseling services with an academic, sports and fitness, art, and music curriculum. GBS provides an excellently trained staff, a low student-to-teacher-ratio, a team-centered approach, and a well-honed Family Program that contributes to the sense of community and is the cornerstone of the organization’s mission.

HOSPITAL FOR SPECIAL SURGERY
535 E. 70th St., New York
212-606-1137

Parents seeking the best orthopedic care for their children can visit the #1 hospital in the country for orthopedics. Hospital for Special Surgery’s (HSS) Lerner Children’s Pavilion, a “hospital within a hospital,” provides one-stop care for children with bone and muscle conditions. Doctors, nurses, radiologists and anesthesiologists at HSS have a dedicated focus on children from infants to teens, coupled with a deep understanding of orthopedics, rheumatology, and rehabilitation. Getting the right care the first time is vital. Visiting a specialty hospital ensures that children are on the right recovery path.

HUNTINGTON LEARNING CENTER
237 W. 72nd St., New York
212-362-0100

Huntington Learning Center is an accredited K-12 tutoring and test prep leader with certified teachers providing individualized instruction in phonics, reading, writing, math, science, study skills, executive functioning skills, SAT, ACT, and state and standardized exams. Huntington helps students at all levels achieve results including students with dyslexia, ADHD, and other learning disabilities. The skills, confidence, and motivation developed by Huntington help students succeed and meet Common Core State Standards. A former parent states: In just four months, the improvements I have seen in Jessica's grades and confidence were incredible.

IDEAL SCHOOL OF MANHATTAN (THE)
Upper West Side , New York
212-769-1699
Email dbyrnes@idealschool.org

The IDEAL School of Manhattan is New York City’s only independent inclusion school. We are a K-12 school that celebrates the social, emotional, and academic growth which comes from learning in a community that mirrors the bright mosaic of diversity within New York City. We value and celebrate all students–gifted and talented, typically developing, and students with learning differences–for his and her talents and attributes. IDEAL students develop empathy, character, and self-advocacy skills that inspire in them the capacity for creative problem solving and leadership in our global world.

INCLUDENYC
212-677-4660, 212-677-4668 para español

INCLUDEnyc helps young people with any disability from birth to 26 and their families in New York City by providing them with free resources and support. INCLUDEnyc gives families the knowledge, confidence, and skills they need to make informed decisions, effectively access and navigate systems and services, and advocate for themselves and other young people.

LITTLE OPTICS, INC.
192-07 Union Turnpike, Fresh Meadows
53-15 Roosevelt Ave.
Woodside, NY 11377
718-468-7500
hablamos espanol

Email littleopticsinc@yahoo.com

We provide eyeglasses and professional eye care for children, including infants, and young adults. Fitting children with glasses is a very different task than fitting an adult with glasses. Most children have serious medical issues like strabismus (crossed eyes) or amblyopia (lazy eyes). When we fit a child with glasses we start a relationship with them, as we will consistently see them during the year for adjustments as well as prescription changes. We alleviate any self-esteem issues associated with the stigma of wearing glasses. When your child leaves Little Optics, rest assured that they will feel confident.

REBECCA SCHOOL
40 E. 30th St., New York
212-810-4120 admissions: Liz O'Shea at x234
Admissions: Liz O'Shea at x234
eoshea@rebeccaschool.org
Open Houses: rebeccaschool.org/admissions/tourinfo-request/

Rebecca School is a therapeutic day school for children ages 4-21, promoting the education and development of children with neurodevelopmental delays in relating and communicating, including PDD and autism. Our curriculum is based upon the DIR® (Developmental Individual Differences Relationship-based) model of Dr. Stanley Greenspan, which considers the variations in individual motor and sensory processing systems and tailors each child’s program to his or her specific needs. We are committed to celebrating each child’s strengths and supporting their limitations.

SAY: CONFIDENT VOICES
55 W. 39th St. (winter office) , New York
828-393-4244
Email info@say.org

SAY: The Stuttering Association for the Young offers Confident Voices, the after-school and weekend program that helps young people who stutter (ages 8-18) develop communication skills and self-confidence. Various sessions are offered during this year-round program, which utilizes a diverse range of creative themes, including storytelling, playwriting, songwriting, and more-with no pressure to perform. Youths collaborate in cohesive groups and are mentored by professional actors, producers, artists, and staff. This unique approach helps young people build important skills that help them succeed in their everyday lives.

SWIM SWIM SWIM I SAY
at Hostos Community College, 450 Grand Concourse Building C, Bronx
917-902 -3184

swim swim swim I SAY is your upper Manhattan home for tots, children, adults, fear of water students, students with special needs (including autistic individuals), home pool instruction, pool parties, and stroke correction swimming lessons. Classes are located two-five minutes from Manhattan at Hostos Community College.