One of  DSCLI’s goals is to share resources and to make that information easily accessible to families.  Parents should however note that we make no specific recommendations and that this list is in no way complete.  We are always looking for more resources to add, so please e-mail us and share any of your connections.

Remember that we are a parent-run, non-professional group and what works for one family might not be a good solution for another.  Families should always consult with their health care providers and professional support teams before starting any new treatment or therapy.

Developmental Preschools

• ACDS
• DDI
• Variety Child Learning Center
• Alternatives for Children
• Child Development Center of the Hamptons

Special Needs Law and Estate Planning

• Down Syndrome Advocacy Foundation
• Brian Andrew Tully
• Vincent J. Russo & Associates
• Special Needs Planners
• Center for Wealth Preservation – Contact Marie Cantone and John Panaro

Therapeutic Tools / Toys

• Therapy Street for Kids – For carry over Occupational Therapy Strategies for parents to use at home
• Baby Signs Program
• Signingtime
• Hip Helpers
• Love and Learning
• Discovery Toys
• Therapro
• Pocket Full of Therapy
• ionKids – GPS Tracking for kids
• Project Lifesaver – Bracelet for tracking your loved one
• Bridging Apps
• Woodbine House
• Beyond Play
• Equipment Shop
• Baby BumbleBee
• AblePlay
• Specs-4-Us
• Strider Bikes
• Sure Step Orthotics

Recreational Opportunities

• Ariella’s Friendship Circle
• Albertson Kickers – Albertson Soccer Program for Special Needs Children and Teens
• Atomic Tae Kwon Do (owner and instructor Bart is an OT)
• Bart J. Ruggiere Adaptive Sports Center of VT
• Be The Best Sport – Port Washington Sports Program
• Bayshore Challenger (e-mail ), Garden City Challenger, & Huntington Challenger – Lacrosse for Children and Teens with Special Needs
• Best Day Foundation – helps children with special needs build confidence and self-esteem through safe, fun, adventure activities like surfing, bodyboarding, kayaking, snow sports, and more.  Nearest location is in N.J.
• Camp Anchor – Camp for those within the Town of Hempstead
• Camp Bright Star – Summer camp within the Town of Huntington
• Camp North Star
• Camp Pa-Qua-tuck
• Dew Drop Inn – A social gathering nest for people of all abilities, Patchogue, NY
• East Islip Soccer – Just for Kicks
• HOPE Fitness, Fitness for all
• Horseability
• iCan Shine – iCan Bike programs (Current Programs) and iCan Swim Programs coming in 2014
• K.I.D.S. plus – Various sports in the Northport area
• Little League Baseball – Challenger Division
• My Shine Therapeutic Riding Program – Old Bethpage
• Nassau County Police Activity League Special Needs Unit (PALS) – Provides various sports programs
• Peerpals.org – A program to coordinate play dates for children ages 2-5 with special needs with a typical peer in the area.  Also coordinate group play dates.
• Rolling Thunder
• Special Olympics
• Sprout
• Suffolk County Special PALS – Provides recreational, sports, and socialization activities with volunteers to assist the children.  Siblings are welcome
• The FREE Players (Family Residences and Essential Enterprises, Inc.)
• The Miracle League of Long Island– Baseball for Children with Physical and Developmental Special Needs
• The Music Academy for Special Learners – Music Lessons
• The Northport Buddy Club -Provides social opportunities for young adults with special needs.  Suffolk County
• TOPS Soccer with the Commack Soccer League
• St. Philip Neri Respite Care Program – Located in Northport.  Providing an opportunity to leave your child with special needs in their care for two hours on the first Friday of each month from 6:00 – 8:00 PM for free.  Each child is shadowed by an adult volunteer.  A pizza dinner, soft drink, and dessert are provided.  For more information contact the Parish Social Ministry office at 631-261-2485 X113 ([email protected]) or Terry Pace at X 100 or [email protected]
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Advocacy

• Wrightslaw
• OPWDD – Office for People With Developmental Disabilities – Includes Front Door Information
• Down Syndrome Advocacy Foundation (DSAF)
• Long Island/NYS Parent Center
• The Long Island Advocacy Center
• National Down Syndrome Congress
• Global Down Syndrome
• NYS Education Dept. 
• NYS Special Education
• U.S. Dept of Education
• Special Education in Plain Language – A user friendly handbook on special education, law, and practices in New York.  Created by the Special Education Taskforce, Revised March, 2014

Miscellaneous

• Alexander’s Angels – L.I. Buddy Walk and other events to further the awareness of contributions and needs of Down syndrome and to raise funds for advocacy, services, and research organizations.
• Baby Signs Classes with Deirdre Savino 516-922-8300
• Best Buddies New York
• Capable Cuties Social skill groups, individual tutoring for children with challenging behaviors, counseling families on behavioral issues.
• Changing The Face of Beauty
• D.A.D.S. (Dad’s Appreciating Down Syndrome)
• Down Syndrome Aim High Resource Center 
• Everything Special Needs
• Gifts From The Heart for Downs – Works to bring wishes to life for people with Down syndrome
• America The Beautiful – The National Parks & Federal Recreational Lands Access Pass – Free access into National parks
• NYS Park Access Pass – Free access into State parks
• NYS Office for People with Developmental Disabilities
• Handicapped Parking Permits – How to obtain one in NYS (If you have a Handicapped Parking Permit, you may be eligible for a free town beach sticker, need to apply separately to your town hall).
• YJCC Special Needs Programs – Includes socialization, respite, and inclusion programs
• Long Island’s Special Needs for Special Kids – List of current resources
• Long Island Community of Practice
• Merlin’s Magic Wand – A worldwide Charity for Children, providing magical experiences for those who are seriously ill, disabled, or disadvantaged.
• New York Angels Pageant – Pageant for Individuals with Special Needs
• Footprints for the Future by Emarc – A record of important information for your family
• GiGi’s Playhouse – NYC
• International Down Syndrome Coalition (IDSC)
• Sibnet – Sibling Support Project – Provides Sibshops (groups for typical siblings) and Online Support
• TRAID – Technology Related Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities
• ACCESS-VR – Adult Career and Continuing Education Services – Vocational Rehabilitation from NYS of Education – Gov
• Parent to Parent on NYS – Offer support (ability to contact another parent who has a child with special needs), information and referrals, and Trainings
• World Down Syndrome Day
• Long Island Family Support Consumer Council
• The Matthew Foundation – A local Long Island organization supporting research for Down Syndrome, promoting social inclusion and acceptance, and encouraging and supporting employment initiatives.

Health

• American Academy of Pediatrics Healthcare Guidelines for Physicians
• Down Syndrome Nutrition from Dietician Joan Guthrie Medlen
• Speaker Series Presentations for Parents and Professionals from Children’s Hospital Boston
• All About The Toilet: Toilet Training Program with Gastroenterologist Dr. Fred Daum with Winthrop University Hospital for those with stool withholding
• lettercase.org Understanding a Down Syndrome Diagnosis – Available in print or digital

Inspirational / Religious

• Down Syndrome Dreams Video
• Man with Down syndrome owns a restaurant video –
• International Down Syndrome Coalition World Down Syndrome Day 2013 Video
• Our Lady Queen of Martyrs (Catholic Church in Centerport) – Offers monthly mass for friends with special needs and provides a monthly support group for parents of children with special needs (volunteers are available to provide child care while attending support group.
• The Chai Center – Dix Hills – Hebrew School for Children with Special Needs

 Research

• Research Down Syndrome
• Down Syndrome Research and Treatment Foundation (DSRTF)
• THE JÉRÔME LEJEUNE FOUNDATION

On Facebook

• Behavior Intervention for Children with Down Syndrome
• Changing the Face of Beauty
• Down Syndrome Mommies Group – “A group for mom’s new and old of children with Down Syndrome.  A place where you can ask questions, share advice, post pictures and stories about your child.”
• International Down Syndrome Coalition
• Our Adventures With Down Syndrome
• Our Special Long Island Kids
• Special Miracles – Down Syndrome
• Down Syndrome Adoption – ATWA

 

Did you know?

• Families are entitled to state reimbursement of up to $1,000 per year once approved by the NYS Office of People with Developmental Disabilities for expenses such as respite, social programs, camps, unreimbursed medical expenses, diapers/pull-ups/wipes after the age of 6.  Funds are limited.
• Residents with disabilities receive free or discounted use of state parks, historic sites, and recreational facilities operated by the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.  Must apply for the pass here.
• U.S. citizens with a disability could obtain a lifelong National Park pass.  For application instructions, click here
• Most amusement parks offer a guest pass for an individual with a disability and their party of a limited number.  Must visit the guest relations desk at the parks.  (Some may require a doctor’s letter).  Also provided at places such as the Bronx Zoo.
• Planning a trip to Florida?  The UK?  Manhattan?  You may be eligible for free passes into some amusement parks with the organization Merlin’s Magic Wand.