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Special Needs Programs on Long Island for Kids

Children can take part in music classes at the Adler Center in Plainview. Photo courtesy of the center
Children can take part in music classes at the Adler Center in Plainview. Photo courtesy of the center
9/12/22 - By Gina Massaro

Looking for special needs programs on Long Island? Read on for some of the options in Nassau and Suffolk counties. 

Finding proper care, schooling, activities, and services can be frustrating for Long Island parents with children who have special needs. Special needs children often want to–and can do–many things other children do, they just go about it in different ways. Schools and classes that focus on those with special needs, or offer an inclusion setting, are an important part of a special needs child's circle of care. 

For more information on programs, classes, and more for Long Island kids, check out our classes and enrichment guide and our Long Island Special Needs Guide.

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Variety Child Learning Center offers reading programs and more for special-needs children and their families. Photo courtesy of the center
Variety Child Learning Center offers reading programs and more for special-needs children and their families. Photo courtesy of the center

Special Needs Programs for Kids in Nassau County

ACDS

Plainview
ACDS' Plainview location houses an integrated day care for children 6 weeks to 5 years. Special needs children are integrated directly into the classrooms. The location also houses the Early Intervention clinic, which allows children who have been approved for EI to recieve in-person services direcly on-site. It is also home to their preschool. The Plainview and Merrick centers have Day Habilitation for those who have aged out of the school system. ACDS welcomes those with down syndrome, autism spectrum disorders and other developmental disabilities. READ MORE

Adler Center for Special Needs

Plainview
The Adler Center for Special Needs has classes and programs for children ages 3 and up with disabilties including autism spectrum disorders, learning disabilities, and language delays. In addition to children's classes, there are inclusion programs for summer camp and classes for adults with special needs.  READ MORE

Family Center for Autism

Rockville Center
Staffed by certified behavior specialists, the Family Center for Autism has classes for children, starting at age 3, to adults over 21. Different classes are offered based on age group, but include art, movement and music, sports, minecraft, yoga, baking and many more. Classes are offered year-round and there are special camps and classes held during school breaks.  READ MORE

The Hagedorn Little Village School

Seaford
The Little Village has been an educational staple for families with special needs children for 50 years. Services such as speech-language therapy, occupational therapy, and social services are integrated into the curriculum. They offer classes for children from 3 years to 12 years. They also offer early intervention services for children up to 3 years. They can provide evaluations as well as any services deemed necessary. In addition to all the services and classes they offer for special needs children, they provide counseling and help for caregivers. READ MORE

Variety Child Learning Center

Levittown, Syosset
Variety Child Care Center offers day care for children from birth through age 5, preschool and pre-k classes, and elementary level classes for children up to age 8. They focus on children with disabilities or those at-risk for disabilities. They offer inclusion classes, in which children with disabilities are integrated in a class setting with children who do not have IEPs. Variety also has special classes in which there is a lower student to staff ratio. They can send therapists and teachers to a school or your home, and they also do evaluations. READ MORE
Holistically-inclined Pop.Earth offers classes in cooking, fitness, and more. Photo courtesy of Pop.Earth
Holistically-inclined Pop.Earth offers classes in cooking, fitness, and more. Photo courtesy of Pop.Earth

Special Needs Programs for Kids in Suffolk County

Alternatives for Children

Aquebogue, Dix Hills, East Setauket, Southampton
Alternatives for Children specializes in programs for special needs preschoolers. In addition to providing a nurturing and safe environment for special needs children to learn and grow, they offer various services such as occupational therapy, music therapy and physical therapy. They also have assistive technology and teach children with disabilities how to properly use it. There are four locations; Aquebogue, Dix Hills, East Setauket and Southampton.  READ MORE

The Music Academy for Special Learners

Hauppauge
The Music Academy for Special Learners has classes for children and adults of all abilities. They offer music, theater and art classes, art therapy, music therapy and in-home lessons. READ MORE

Pop.Earth

Huntington Station
Population Earth, or Pop.Earth, focuses on a holistic approach to teaching yoga, reiki, art, and dance to kids on the spectrum. Pop.Earth is a not-for-profit organization and its classes are low-cost or free. Events must be registered for in advance. READ MORE

The Spirit Of Huntington

Huntington
The Spirit of Huntington provides art and music classes for those with special needs and veterans. The classes focus on process art, which helps students express themselves through their art. They also hold gallery exhibits of students artwork throughout various locations on Long Island.  READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Adler Center for Special Needs
The Hagedorn Little Village
Variety Child Learning Center
Alternatives for Children Aquebogue
The Music Academy for Special Learners
The Spirit of Huntington Art Center

About the Author

Gina Massaro
Gina Massaro is a Long Island native who believes in whimsy, fairies, and the idea of never growing up. She’s a mom to 3 young kids and a small zoo, and she has over 8 years of experience and childhood education expertise as a preschool educator. She tries to find time to write and paint between school pickups, diaper changes, and dog walks. For more of her art and writing check out her website: ginamassaro.com.
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