"When you think there is something wrong with your child the phone can weigh a thousand pounds. Pick up the phone and you will find great resources and support waiting for you...."
- Mother of a child with PDD and
Tourette's Syndrome
National Organizations
Zero to Three is the leading non-profit organization dealing with the first three years of life.
Children and Adults with Attention Deficit or Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD) serves people with Attention Deficit and/or Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD) and their families.
The Head Start Program is a national program that promotes school readiness for children up to age 5, and their families, through the provision of educational, health, nutritional, social and other services to enrolled children and families.
N.Y. State Organizations
NYS Parent’s Guide to Special Education Services - This guide is a must for all parents considering special education services. It is available free of charge from your local CPSE office.
New York Early Intervention Program (EIP) serves infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families.
The Advocacy Center Helps individuals with disabilities and their families advocate for themselves, realize their goals, and make positive changes in their lives.
Parents to Parents supports and connects families of individuals with special needs.
NYC Organizations
NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (NYCDOHMH) is the lead City agency; the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) coordinates the statewide network of services.
Advocates For Children (AFC) works on behalf of children from infancy to age 21 who are at greatest risk for school-based discrimination and/or academic failure.
Long Island
The Early Years Matter exists to help parents make informed choices about the early care and education of their young children. The web site lists many child care and family support organizations located on Long Island, New York.
Additional Resources
A web site with information regarding learning disabilities and ADHD. www.LDonline.org
Inclusion information regarding the practice of educating students with special needs in regular classes instead of placement in special education classes. www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/inclusion
Professional Organizations
The American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) represents the interests and concerns of occupational therapy practitioners and students of occupational therapy. The AOTA strives to improve services for over 36,000 members throughout the United States and Internationally.
American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) represents more than 71,000 members. Its goal is to foster advancements in physical therapy practice, research, and education.
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) is the professional, scientific, and credentialing association for more than 130,000 members and affiliates who are speech-language pathologists, audiologists, and speech, language, and hearing scientists in the United States and internationally.
American Psychological Association (APA) is a scientific and professional organization that represents psychologists in the United States. With 148,000 members, the APA is the largest association of psychologists worldwide.
