As a mother of a ten year old with Down syndrome, I have done extensive research as to the places, people and organizations which serve children with special needs. I am eager to share my knowledge with other parents who are going through the special education and special needs whirlpool on Long Island.
New York State has several departments that provide services: One
of them has this web site: http://www.nyc.gov/html/acs/html/become_parent/support_resources.shtml
New York State's Commission on Quality of Care and Advocacy for Persons with Disabilities may have the information you need. This web page: http://cqc.ny.gov/ is quite useful in finding an agency or information that can help anyone with any disability.
New York State Department of Education has a helpful site: http://www.p12.nysed.gov/specialed/techassist/parentcenters.htm
The Office of Persons with Developmental Disabilities of New York has a web site that can be labyrinthine but helpful: http://www.opwdd.ny.gov/node/124
I strongly advise getting onto the email list for Parent 2 Parent: http://parenttoparentnys.org/news/long-island-resources/butler_special_needs_center/
Nassau County has some online resources: http://www.nassaucountyny.gov/agencies/MentalHealth/comm-provide-ddsvcs.html
The Town of Oyster Bay provides the GAP program through the Handicapped Services Division: http://oysterbaytown.com/index.asp?Type=B_BASIC&SEC={11668C1C-ED2F-40D5-A2D8-6C8867D63946}&DE={DFC6E9F0-3410-4462-9D2D-BA515CBC06EA}
ACDS, The Association for Children with Down Syndrome helps all children with developmental disabilities. Their services span your child's lifetime from cradle through old age: http://acds.org/
UCPN, United Cerebral Palsy is helpful for many different types of special needs: http://www.ucpn.org.
Long Island University at C. W. Post has The Center for Inclusion: http://liparentcenterliu.org/index.html
New York Metro Parents has on line
guides: http://www.nymetroparents.com/article/Special-Needs-Resource-Guide-for-Long-Island-Pt-1 http://www.nymetroparents.com/article/Special-Needs-Resource-Guide-for-Long-Island-Pt-2
http://nymetroparents.com/listings/Special-Needs-Special-Education-
Long Island Parent Magazine prints an annual special needs resource guide with an online version: http://liparentonline.com/special_needs_resource_guide.html
Livestrong has a web site: http://www.livestrong.com/article/241828-group-activities-for-children-with-special-needs-in-long-island-new-york/
There is a comprehensive resource list available at Wrightslaw Yellow Pages for Kids: http://www.yellowpagesforkids.com/help/ny.htm
Mid Island YJCC has an excellent program called KISS (Kids in Special Services): http://www.miyjcc.org/SpecialNeeds/Index.cfm
Learning Disabilities Association of New York State has a great links page. http://www.ldanys.org/index.php?s=4&b=18
Resources regarding special education for most disabilities are found at VESID (Vocational and Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities). http://www.acces.nysed.gov/vr/gardencity/home.html
This is just short list. There are many more resources available. I will be writing about them in the coming weeks. I hope this is helpful. I welcome suggestions for future articles. You may reach me at basuentsyn@gmail.com.
