Information on Early Intervention Services can be found at the New York State Department of Health this site will outline the services available and the laws that are in place that support said services. It will also provide information on how to apply for services and the eligibility requirements.

Resources for children with Special Needs (RCSN) “Is New York City’s only independent nonprofit organization that works for families and children with all disabilities, across all boroughs, to understand, navigate, and access the services needed to ensure that all children and youth have the opportunity to develop their full potential.”

The YAI Network “Provides a full range of health and human services to people of all ages with developmental and learning disabilities and their families.

Happy Hour 4 Kids “Founded in 2003, was created to serve the individual needs of children who were having difficulty socializing with their peers. The founders, as professionals in the field of special education, found a great need for a place in which children could get the individualized attention they needed within a group setting to learn, generalize and apply social skills.”

A special thanks to Robin Bump, PT, Co-Owner, Making Milestones for her time on sharing helpful ways to support children with sensory integration challenges. 

“At Making Milestones we have the privilege of working with special needs children with varying issues by providing Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy and Speech Therapy in a sensory gym setting. Often times, parents or caregivers come to us with questions about how they can help their little ones improve not only their motor skills so they can keep up with their peers, but also how they can help them deduce anxiety if they get excessively excited or over stimulated.

Children with motor delays need to be active in order for their motor skills to be challenged and worked.  Quality time at the playground is great for improving strength, coordination and endurance.  Classes that help children with motor delays can include:  swimming, yoga, karate, and gymnastics.

Children with sensory issues have difficulty regulating themselves if they are over stimulated by their environment. Things that might overstimulate a child could be: an overcrowded room, bright lights, loud noises, or even being touched.  Some may describe this overstimulated child as “hyper” but in actuality, the child just needs some input to help them calm down. Activities that involve deep pressure and/or proprioceptive input are particularly helpful.  These things may include, but are not limited to the following:

- A tight squeeze either through a hug or a weighted blanket (deep pressure)
- Wall push ups
- Wheelbarrow walking (walking on their hands while you hold their feet)
- Crab walking (walking on hands and feet in a bridge position)
- Carrying heavy objects/bags
- Pushing a shopping cart or the stroller

Also helpful:

-Removing the child from the situation
- Swinging
- Dimming the lights
- Reducing the noise”

This is just a short list of places parents and caregivers can access resources, support and advocacy in NYC. As a caregiver and social worker that has worked with many children that have special needs, I personally know the value of understanding what is available in your area to reach out and get the answer you need. If you have any further questions about special needs services, caregivers for children with special needs, please contact me directly at: ali.sheppard@luckylildarlings.com, and I will be glad to assist you in any way I can.

-Ali Sheppard is our Nanny Placement Coordinator and author of the Modern Mary Poppins Chronicles.