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Current Openings At The YAI: Unique Special Needs Programs and Services Around NYC
Since we recently moved to a new borough I thought it would be a good idea to see what special needs programs and services YAI had in Brooklyn. I saw that there are a bunch of great openings and opportunities being offered all over NYC so I’ve posted the entire list, current as of 9/30/12:
Service Openings
Featured Program Openings
Potential Residential Opening, Brooklyn ICF: Potential opportunity for a male, age 21-55 years, who functions within severe/profound range, but who can evacuate two flights of stairs without physical assitance. Contact Tom Ott, 212-273-6462, for more information and to apply.
Potential Residential Opening, Bronx 24-Hour IRA: Potential opportunity for a female with mild/moderate intellectual disability. Contact Tom Ott, 212-273-6462, for more information and to apply.
Family Services
YAI Autism Center: Offering private-pay programs including: Yoga with ballet or dance, social skills groups and music therapy. Call 1-888-YAI-AUTISM.
Manhattan Recreation Programs: Recreation programs for New York City residents over the age of 18, from Tuesdays through Saturdays. Weeknight group activities and Saturday trips. Transportation is not provided. Contact Pamela Accardo at 212-645-1616, ext. 618 or Edna Bay at 212-645-1616, ext. 620.
Project Intervene: Short-term intervention services for behavior management, toilet training, travel and other skills training are provided to individuals and their families in the home and/or group settings. Training programs are designed for parents of children with disabilities who reside in Manhattan and Brooklyn. Availability is based on where you live. Toilet training workshops are also available. Services provided in English and Spanish. For more information, call 212-273-6314 in Manhattan, and 212-273-6297 for Spanish. In Brooklyn, please call 718-306-1300, ext.411 for English and ext.412 for Spanish.
Family Reimbursement: Provides limited funds to families for services and goods that are not reimbursed through other programs or funding streams. For Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens residents. Contact Shanique Soto at 212-273-6585.
Manhattan Autism Social Skills Groups: Accepting applications for program teaching social skills to children aged 9-18 years old on the autism spectrum residing with their parents in Manhattan. Contact YAI LINK at 212-273-6182.
Family Support Series for Caregivers of Children with Autism (all ages): Support groups for parents and caregivers of people with autism. New groups begin this month. To pre-register and for more information, contact YAI LINK at 212-273-6182. See latest group schedule
Leisure Trax Vacation Program: Free or low cost trips and vacations for Bronx residents 18 or older, living with their families. Trips are open to residents of other boroughs. Contact LINK at 212-273-6182. Application and travel schedule available on the Leisure Trax page
Parents With Special Needs: Accepting referrals for program for parents with developmental disabilities who live with their children in Manhattan, Brooklyn, or Queens. Contact Nafiza Somaipersaud at 212-793-2182, ext. 203.
Manhattan Overnight Respite: 24-hour professional supervision from Friday afternoon until Monday morning for children 5 and older. Must be ambulatory. Contact Vanessa White Germany at 212-255-2673.
Manhattan Holiday Respite – ages 6-18 with DD, live at home with their family. Taking applications for waiting list – contact Tanicqua Davis 212-273-6503
Independent Living Program: Six-month classroom course for Brooklyn, Queens and Manhattan residents to develop independent living skills. For application forms, contact Shanique Soto at 212-273-6585.
Brooklyn Children and Adolescent Program: Saturday recreation program for children 6 and older. Contact LINK 212-273-6182.
Brooklyn Leisure Trax: Recreation program for adults 18 and older. Contact LINK212-273-6182.
Brooklyn Saturday Drop Off: Recreation programs Brooklyn residents 16 and older. Contact Cheryl Jones at 718-743-5311.
Brooklyn Autism Social Skills Groups: Accepting applications for program offering structured and supervised opportunities for socialization in an after school setting to children aged 5-12 years old on the autism spectrum residing with their parents in Brooklyn. Contact YAI LINK at 212-273-6182.
Brooklyn Yoga Ballet: 10-week Yoga/Ballet class for girls and boys with autism, between the ages 3-10. For more information, contact LINK at 212-273-6182.
Project Grow: Seven-week behavior management training for parents of children with developmental disabilities, conducted in group settings. Topics include specific behavior techniques to promote positive family interactions. Peer support is provided. Families must reside in Manhattan, Bronx, Staten Island or Queens. Day and evening groups are available in both English and Spanish. Possibility of Cantonese groups. For more information, call 212-273-6259.
Project Grown-Up: Five-week education group for parents of children with developmental disabilities. Basic and advanced parent training covers relationships and sexuality with adolescents and adults with developmental disabilities. Focus on child’s physiological development and interpersonal issues of relationships. Program is available to parents whose children reside with them in Manhattan or Queens. Day and evening groups are available in both English and Spanish. Possibility of Cantonese groups. For more information, call 212-273-6259.
Queens Crisis Intervention Program: In-home behavioral management program for parents available in both English and Spanish. Parent training groups outside of the home (like project GROW) are also available. Call Lewanda Wallace at 718-793-2182, ext. 221 or Jackie Nunez at 718-793-2182, ext. 231 assistance in Spanish.
Brooklyn Extend-a-Family: Overnight respite provided in the home of a host family. Available for young children who are non-ambulatory. Contact Cheryl Jones at 718-743-5311, ext. 6313.
Bronx In-home respite – In-home respite for children and adults with DD. Contact Tanicqua Davis 212-273-6503.
Queens Saturday Recreation Programs: Activities for individuals 16 and older. Contact Michael VanConant 212-645-1616 x 667
Queens Thank Goodness it’s the Weekend: Socialization group meet twice a month on Fridays for people 16 and older. Contact Michael VanConant 212-645-1616 x 667.
Queens After School Program: After school respite for children 6-15. Contact Stacy Tinglin 718-793-8695 x 210.
Queens In-Home Respite: In-home respite for children with special needs, age 3 and older. Contact Stacy Tinglin 718-793-8695 x 210.
Manhattan STAR Academy
Manhattan: Accepting inquiries for the Manhattan STAR Academy, a unique learning opportunity for elementary school children. Contact Rae Eisdorfer at 212-420-0510 for information, application and tuition.
Premier HealthCare
Manhattan: Openings for internal medicine, pediatrics, dental, gynecology, physical therapy, speech therapy, podiatry, neurology (adult), weight management program, and a program for people with physical disabilities.
Bronx: Openings for internal medicine, pediatrics, dental, neurology (adult), podiatry, occupantonial therapy, physical therapy, prosthetics & orthotics.
Queens: Openings for internal medicine, pediatrics, dental, dental desensitization, podiatry, dermatology, occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech therapy, physiatry/wheelchair clinic, prosthetics & orthotics, and endocrinology (adult).
Brooklyn: Openings for internal medicine, dental, dental desensitization, pediatrics, dermatology, neurology (adult), gynecology, speech therapy, podiatry, endocrinology (adult), and physiatry/wheelchair clinic.
For new referrals, additional services or information, contact YAI LINK at 1-866-2-YAI-LINK, TDD: 212-290-2787.
Center for Specialty Therapy
About YAI’s Center for Specialty Therapy
Manhattan: Psychosocial evaluations in English and Spanish are available. Contact YAI LINK at 212-273-6182
Queens: Psychosocial evaluations in Enlish and Spanish (includes evening and Saturday hours) are available. Contact YAI LINK at 212-273-6182.
Brooklyn: Psychosocial evaluations in English are available. Contact YAI LINK at 212-273-6182.
Bronx: Psychosocial evaluations in Elblish and Spanish are available. Contact YAI LINK at 212-273-6182.
Families living in Manhattan, Queens and Brooklyn who need evaluations to access OPWDD services but who do not have insurance that will cover them can contact YAI LINK at 212-273-6182.
Day Services
Manhattan: Openings in Manhattan programs. Contact Domingo Hernandez at 212-645-1616 ext. 634.
Employment Services
About YAI’s Employment Services
Manhattan Employment Services: Training in job-specific skills for adults with developmental disabilities. Openings in a variety of programs. Contact Satera Febus at 212-273-6100, ext. 2448.
Bronx Employment: Accepting applications for a variety of programs. Contact Ruth Jeffers at 718-792-6221, ext. 205.
Brooklyn Supported Work and Training: Accepting applications. Contact Sara Schacter Erenburg at 718-368-9311.
Queens Supported Work and Training: Accepting applications. Contact Chris Bechler at 718-389-1300 x227.
There are openings citywide for people with developmental disabilities who are employed and need follow-along support services.
Change.org Petition: Hospital to my autistic son – No heart for you
Thanks, Jhanin, for sharing this with me.
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Top Ten: Toxins Most Likely To Cause Autism And Learning Disabilities
Apparently this article came out in April of this year. Good thing we buy BPA free products at home, but not sure how to avoid “automotive exhaust” in NYC…
Top 10 Chemicals Most Likely to Cause Autism and Learning Disabilities
Mount Sinai Children’s Environmental Health Center (CEHC) released a list of the top ten toxic chemicals suspected to cause autism and learning disabilities.
Recently, the CDC reported that autism spectrum disorder (ASD) now affects 1 of every 88 American children – a 23% increase from 2006 and a 78% increase from 2002.
And while there is controversy over how those numbers are reached, it still is worth repeating. There has been a 78% increase in children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder in the last ten years. At the same time, the CDC also reported that ADHD now affects 14% of American children.
As these disorders continue to affect more children across the U.S., researchers are asking what is causing these dramatic increases. Some of the explanation is greater awareness and more accurate diagnosis. But clearly, there is more to the story than simply genetics, as the increases are far too rapid to be of purely genetic origin.
According to the Mount Sinai Children’s Environmental Health Center (CEHC) release and data from the research article, “Environmental Pollutants and Disease in American Children (July 2002), “the National Academy of Sciences reports that 3% of all neurobehavioral disorders in children are caused directly by toxic exposure in the environment and another 25% disorders are caused by interactions between environmental factors and genetics. But the precise environmental causes are not yet known”. (Note: the first version of this article included a link to the National Academy of Sciences study from 2000 and has been updated to include a link to the July 2002 study).
So while industry can claim that there is little evidence that these chemicals in isolation or in combination (which doctors now refer to as “synergistic toxicity”) cause autism, the truth is that there is still very little evidence or the toxicological safety studies. In other words, there is a gap in the science.
There is a huge gap. According to CNN, the EPA has tested only about 200 of the 80,000 chemicals in use.
But thankfully, that is changing with the work of the team at Mt. Sinai and the extraordinary leadership, courage and intellect of Dr. Phil Landrigan and the urgent call by experts to reform chemical laws.
To guide a research strategy to discover potentially preventable environmental causes and to arm parents and those hoping to be parents with knowledge, the Children’s Environmental Health Center (CEHC) has developed a list of ten chemicals found in consumer products that are suspected to contribute to autism and learning disabilities.
This list was published today in Environmental Health Perspectives in an editorial written by Dr. Philip J. Landrigan, director of the CEHC, Dr. Linda Birnbaum, director of the National Institute for Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), and Dr. Luca Lambertini, also of the CEHC.
You can see the Top 10 chemicals as well as the rest of this article by clicking here.
New on childmind.org: Customizing games for your kids, spanking and mental illness, coming of age on medication
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Monopoly Made Easy: How 5 popular games can be modified for kids of all ages and needs
Explaining Separation Anxiety: What it is, why it happens, and how it’s treated
Don’t Miss Tomorrow’s Meeting – What Better Way To Start A Friday Than With Some Relaxation?
I hope you are able to join me for what should be a fantastic meeting about alternative medicine and a yoga relaxation session tomorrow, February 3rd! For more details click here.
Special Needs Events Around NYC – February 2012
And I thought there was a lot to choose from in January! Though this collection is only a small sliver of what is being offered around NYC in February, I hope to see you at many of the unique events and opportunities listed below:
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February 3, 2012 (click the link below)
Next meeting of The Foorce at PS 163 – do not miss this special event – it’s FREE (and awesome)!
Alternative Medicine Approaches for Special Needs and Yoga Relaxation Session
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Reelabilities – February 9-14, 2012
NY Disabilities Film Festival is the largest festival in the country dedicated to promoting awareness and appreciation of the lives, stories and artistic expressions of people with different disabilities. Initiated in NY in 2007, the festival presents award winning films by and about people with disabilities in multiple locations throughout each hosting city. Post-screening discussions and other engaging programs bring together the community to explore, discuss, embrace, and celebrate the diversity of our shared human experience.
Reelabilities Festival – click here for details!
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YAI Autism Family Support Services
2/16, 2/23 and 3/1 from 10am-12pm
3 session series on yoga and relaxation
- Pre-registration is required by calling YAI LINK at 212-273-6182.
- Parents and caregivers only! No children please.
- Location: 460 West 34th Street, 11th floor, New York, NY 10001
- Structure: 1st half (Presentation), 2nd half (Support)
- Fee: None!
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$25.00 Nonmember
FSALEG00W2
For more information, or to register, please call 646-505-5708.
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Thu, Feb 23, 3-6 pm
Fri, Feb 24, 11 am-2 pm
$245/$255
For more information or to register, please contact
Beth Rosenberg at brosenberg@jccmanhattan.org.
AMC SFF Films – February 25, 10:00AM – Journey 2: The Mysterious Island
Go to http://www.amctheatres.com/sff/ to find a participating theater near you.
Don’t Miss This Meeting Just Because My Title Isn’t Snazzy!! “Alternative Medicine Approaches for Special Needs and FREE Yoga Relaxation Session” is on February 3rd
If your loved one has special needs, including Autism Spectrum Disorders, ADD/ADHD, or Sensory Integration Issues, I truly hope you will be able to join me at the next meeting of The Foorce (details below).
I’m really looking forward to this meeting on many levels; 1) I have a medicated child who has been diagnosed with ADD, Sensory Integration Dysfunction and PDD-NOS (among many other things) 2) yoga is something I know very little about, 3) alternative medicine is something I am even less familiar with and 4) if there are safe, natural ways aside from medications that might help my disabled child (and my wallet) I am all ears!
We have two very special presenters who will discuss the various approaches within alternative medicine (diet, homeopathy, acupuncture) and conclude with a relaxing yoga session so that you can bring home some peace of mind. They are generously taking time out of their incredibly busy schedules, so please forward this info to anyone who might be interested in attending this event – I’d love to have a good turnout for their trouble.
Hope to see you there!
You are invited to a
Special Needs Café 163 event
Alternative Medicine Approaches for Special Needs
and
FREE Yoga Relaxation Session
More About The Featured Presenters:
Aaron Teich, L.Ac., Co-Founder and Director of Shuniya Health & Healing
Aaron has been involved in holistic health and healing for over a decade. After completing his undergraduate studies in Comparative Religion and Philosophy at Harvard University, he attended the American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine in San Francisco. This year-round, four-year program involved comprehensive training in all aspects of Chinese Medicine, including acupuncture, herbal medicine, nutrition, Asian body therapy, and Qigong. Aaron is a Licensed Acupuncturist in the States of New York and California and is nationally certified as a Diplomate of Oriental Medicine (Dipl.OM).
In addition to his background in Chinese Medicine, Aaron is also a certified Kundalini yoga teacher and Sat Nam Rasayan healer, and he received his certificate in Visionary Craniosacral Work from the Milne Institute in Berkeley,California. In 2009, he and his wife spent a year traveling around the world interviewing and studying with traditional healers from eleven different countries. Aaron writes and lectures on topics of holistic health and healing, leads workshops and retreats on healing and meditation, and maintains a private practice inNew York City.
Aaron will present various approaches within complementary and alternative medicine (e.g. working with food and diet, acupuncture, herbal medicine, homeopathy, etc.) and how they are applicable to children with special needs. Following the presentation there will be time for questions and discussion. For more information about Aaron Teich please go to http://www.shuniyahealing.com.
Laura Mitchell, LMSW, Supervisor of YAI LINK
Laura is a certified Kripalu Yoga Instructor and Licensed Massage Therapist. She works in YAI’s LINK department doing information and referral, outreach and presentations to families and professionals on OPWDD eligibility. In her “spare” time she also runs social skills groups for children on the autism spectrum and manages contracts for family support funded evalutions. She will be leading a yoga session that teaches relaxation techniques to parents, with take home tips for your children.
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Location: PS 163, 163 W. 97th Street, auditorium
Date: February 3, 2012
Time: 9:00am
Please wear comfortable clothing and feel free to bring a yoga mat or blanket!
For more information please contact
Michaela Searfoorce at msearfoorce@gmail.com
Quick, Before They’re Gone! Program Openings in NYC For Children and Adults with ASDs and Other Special Needs
This was posted on a YAI webpage, last updated September 26, 2011. Hopefully there are still spaces available in some of the programs listed below, they look fabulous!
Featured Program Openings:
Brooklyn Autism Social Skills Groups: Accepting applications for a program with structured and supervised opportunities for socialization in an after school-setting to children aged 5-12 years old on the autism spectrum, who reside with their parents in Brooklyn. Contact YAI LINK at 212-273-6182.
Brooklyn Yoga Ballet: 10-week yoga/ballet class for girls and boys with autism, between the ages 3-10. Classes will meet at the New York League for Early Learning William O’Connor Midwood School in Brooklyn. For more information, contact LINK at 212-273-6182.
Family Support Groups for Caregivers of Children with Autism (all boroughs and ages): Parent/caregiver support groups for parents of children with autism. Attendance at all sessions is not required. To register and for more information, contact LINK at 212-273-6182. See latest group schedule.
Family Services
YAI Autism Center: Offering private-pay programs including: Yoga with ballet or dance, social skills groups and music therapy. Call 1-888-YAI-AUTISM.
Manhattan Recreation Programs: Recreation programs for New York City residents over the age of 18, from Tuesdays through Saturdays. Weeknight group activities and Saturday trips. Transportation is not provided. Contact Pamela Accardo at 212-645-1616, ext. 618 or Edna Bay at 212-645-1616, ext. 620.
Project Intervene: In-home behavior management program. Including six-week program for Manhattan parents of children with special needs focuses on toilet training. Contact Contact Natalia Echeverri at 212-273-6297.
Family Reimbursement: Provides limited funds to families for services and goods that are not reimbursed through other programs or funding streams. For Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens residents. Contact Shanique Soto at 212-273-6585.
Manhattan Autism Social Skills Groups: Accepting applications for program teaching social skills to children aged 9-18 years old on the autism spectrum residing with their parents in Manhattan. Contact YAI LINK at 212-273-6182.
Family Support Series for Caregivers of Children with Autism (all ages): Support groups for parents and caregivers of people with autism. New groups begin this month. To pre-register and for more information, contact YAI LINK at 212-273-6182. See latest group schedule.
Leisure Trax Vacation Program: Free or low cost trips and vacations for Bronx residents 18 or older, living with their families. Trips are open to residents of other boroughs. Contact LINK at 212-273-6182. Application and travel schedule available on the Leisure Trax page.
Parents With Special Needs: Accepting referrals for program for parents with developmental disabilities who live with their children in Manhattan, Brooklyn, or Queens. Contact Nafiza Somaipersaud at 212-793-2182, ext. 203.
Manhattan Overnight Respite: 24-hour professional supervision from Friday afternoon until Monday morning for children 5 and older. Must be ambulatory. Contact Vanessa White Germany at 212-255-2673.
Independent Living Program: Six-month classroom course for Brooklyn, Queens and Manhattan residents to develop independent living skills. For application forms, contact Shanique Soto at 212-273-6585.
Brooklyn Children and Adolescent Program: Saturday recreation program for children 6 and older. Contact LINK 212-273-6182.
Brooklyn Leisure Trax: Recreation program for adults 18 and older. Contact LINK 212-273-6182.
Brooklyn Saturday Drop Off: Recreation programs Brooklyn residents 16 and older. Contact Cheryl Jones at 718-743-5311.
Project Grow: Seven-week training for Manhattan, Bronx or Staten Island parents of children with special needs. Day and evening groups in English and Spanish are available. Call 212-273-6259.
Project Grown-Up: Seven-week training for Manhattan parents of children with special needs. Day and evening groups in English and Spanish. Call 212-273-6259.
Queens Crisis Intervention Program: In-home behavioral management program for parents available in both English and Spanish. Parent training groups outside of the home (like project GROW) are also available. Call Lewanda Wallace at 718-793-2182, ext. 221 or Jackie Nunez at 718-793-2182, ext. 231 assistance in Spanish.
Queens, Free Psychological and Psychosocial Evaluations: Available for those not eligible for Medicaid and are applying for OPWDD services. Evaluations for Brooklyn residents will be available in May and June. Call LINK at 212-273-6182.
Brooklyn Extend-a-Family: Overnight respite provided in the home of a host family. Available for young children who are non-ambulatory. Contact Cheryl Jones at 718-743-5311, ext. 6313.
Brooklyn In-Home Respite: Respite provided in the home to provide a break for caregivers. Contact Danielle Phanord-Alexis at 718-769-4369, ext. 2848.
Queens Saturday Recreation Programs: Activities for individuals 16 and older. Contact Michael VanConant 212-645-1616 x 667
Queens Thank Goodness it’s the Weekend: Socialization group meet twice a month on Fridays for people 16 and older. Contact Michael VanConant 212-645-1616 ext. 667.
Queens After School Program: After-school respite for children 6-15. Contact Stacy Tinglin 718-793-8695 ext. 210.
Queens In-Home Respite: In-home respite for children with special needs, age 3 and older. Contact Stacy Tinglin 718-793-8695 x 210.
Manhattan STAR Academy
Manhattan: Accepting inquiries for the Manhattan STAR Academy, a unique learning opportunity for elementary school children. Contact Rae Eisdorfer at 212-420-0510 for information, application and tuition.
Premier HealthCare
Manhattan: Openings for internal medicine, pediatrics, dentistry, physical therapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy, podiatry, neurology (adult), gynecology, audiology, dermatology, weight management program and a program for people with physical disabilities.
Queens: Openings for internal medicine, pediatrics, dentistry, nutrition, podiatry, dermatology, gynecology, audiology, ophthalmology, endocrinology, physiatry, physical therapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy and dental desensitization.
Bronx: Openings for pediatrics, dentistry, audiology, neurology, ophthalmology, audiology, endocrinology, gynecology, occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech therapy and podiatry.
Brooklyn: Openings for internal medicine, dentistry, pediatrics, gynecology, urology, endocrinology (child), physiatry, podiatry, speech therapy, occupational therapy and dental desensitization.
For new referrals, additional services or information, contact YAI LINK at 1-866-2-YAI-LINK, TDD: 212-290-2787.
Center for Specialty Therapy
About YAI’s Center for Specialty Therapy
Queens: Psychosocial evaluations (includes evening and Saturday hours), and psychotherapy services available.
Brooklyn: ready availability for Psychological evaluation appointments
Free Evaluations for families living in Manhattan, Queens and Brooklyn who need evaluations to access OPWDD services but who do not have insurance that will cover them. Contact YAI LINK at 212-273-6182.
Day Services
Brooklyn: Openings in the Remsen Street program. Contact Nia Cordani at 718-646-7699, ext. 312.
Manhattan: Openings in the Manhattan programs. Contact Domingo Hernandez at 212-645-1616 ext. 634.
Employment Services
About YAI’s Employment Services
Manhattan Employment Services: Training in job-specific skills for adults with developmental disabilities. Openings in a variety of programs. Contact Andrea Melvin at 212-273-6100, ext. 2448.
Bronx Employment: Accepting applications for a variety of programs. Contact Ruth Jeffers at 718-792-6221, ext. 205.
Brooklyn Supported Work and Training: Accepting applications. Contact Sara Schacter Erenburg at 718-368-9311.
Queens Supported Work and Training: Accepting applications. Contact Chris Bechler at 718-389-1300 ext. 227.
There are openings citywide for people with developmental disabilities who are employed and need follow-along support services.
The Foorce 
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