52 LONGISLANDPRESS.COM • APRIL 2018
HELPING HANDS
FOR KIDS WITH ASD
One in 68 children nationwide
has been diagnosed with autism
spectrum disorder (ASD), a condition
characterized by developmental
disabilities that can cause significant
social, communication and
behavioral challenges, according to
the Centers for Disease Control.
To help individuals with autism
who often struggle to fit into
mainstream environments, an
increasing number of local services
are being offered on Long Island to
make typical family outings that
may be intimidating easier.
“Many families with children who
have autism often feel isolated
and shut out from the rest of the
community,” says Corinne Brown,
Kings Park mother of 10-year-old
Patrick, who has autism. Brown also
represents the Long Island chapter
of Talk About Curing Autism
(TACA), a national nonprofit
organization dedicated to educating,
empowering and supporting
families affected by autism. “When
theaters and museums do offer
sensory-friendly events, it is a great
opportunity to take our children
out as a family and not feel judged.”
While further progress is needed,
great strides have been made in
understanding the needs of families
and children with autism.
“New York is probably the most
aggressive of all states in advocating
for people with autism to be
integrated in society and succeeding
in that,” says John Pfeifer, senior
director of clinical services at Life’s
WORC Family Center for Autism.
“The ultimate goal in supporting
kids with autism is helping them
succeed in the outside world.”
Established in 1971, Life’s WORC
is a nonprofit that provides services
and support to people with
developmental disabilities and
autism and their families in Queens,
Nassau and Suffolk counties.
Life’s WORC offers classes such as
cooking, yoga and music therapy, to
help improve sensory development,
communication and social skills.
Helping people with autism takes
a village. As kids with autism learn
how to function in their natural
environment, their families are
learning how to support them.
“Parents are trained to implement
and maintain strategies to help
generalize the skills throughout the
day and different environments the
child is exposed to,” says Andrea
Kotler, a licensed behavioral
therapist and regional director of
Cedarhurst-based Proud Moments
ABA Therapy. “Staff will go with
clients to events in their community
and facilitate their involvement.”
Proud Moments also offers social
skills programs and “in-the-moment
help” in the community. Beyond the
agencies, sensory gardens, modified
theater performances and special
play centers offer opportunities for
community inclusion for kids with
autism.
Beyond the agencies, sensory
gardens, and modified theater
performances, special play centers
offer opportunities for community
inclusion for kids with autism.
“There is a huge increase in
community events and programs
meant to include individuals
with developmental disabilities in
activities that some have not been
able to attend in the past,” says
Nicole Weidenbaum, executive
director of Nassau Suffolk Services
for Autism (NSSA), which offers
educational, outreach/training
and recreational programs,
consultation services and in-home
respite services. “We see doctors
and dentists opening early for us
and allowing us to visit and just
sit in the chair for no charge. And
doing rounds at our school to have
some firsthand training and face
time with individuals diagnosed
with autism. The youth of today
is involved in buddy programs,
mentorships, joint soccer teams...
the list is endless and I am hopeful
that this trend will continue.”
Full disclosure: Long Island Press
Co-publisher Victoria Schneps-Yunis
founded Life’s WORC.
PRESS HEALTH
By MICHELLE
GABRIELLE CENTAMORE
AUTISM-FRIENDLY
VENUES ON LI
AHRC Suffolk’s Sensory Garden
283 Route 25A Shoreham,
631-585-0100, ahrcsuffolk.org
AMC Movie Theaters
Multiple locations, 877-262-4450,
amctheatres.com
Gersh Academy at West Hills
Day Camp
21 Sweet Hollow Rd., Huntington,
631-385-3342, gershacademy.org
Gymboree Play & Music
Multiple locations, 631-266-1114,
gymboreeclasses.com
Long Island Children’s Museum
Charles Lindbergh Blvd., Garden
City, 516-224-5800, licm.org
Next Generation Dance
295 Larkfield Rd., East Northport,
631-486-9191, dancenxg.com
Pump It Up
Multiple locations, 516-466-7867,
pumpitupparty.com
Sensory Beans Inc.
Children’s Gym
3309 Merrick Rd., Wantagh,
516-308-1462, sensorybeans.org
Sky Therapeutic Riding
Long Island
989 Connetquot Ave., Central Islip,
516-241-2046, SkyRidingLI.com
Sweetbriar Nature Center
62 Eckernkamp Dr., Smithtown,
631-979-6344, sweetbriarnc.com
Theatre Three
412 Main St., Port Jefferson,
631-928-9100, theatrethree.com