COMMUNITY AND FAMILY SERVICES
Considered the "front line" of ACDS, The Family Services Department provides an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) that offers a full complement of center-based classroom and home-based services that include individual and group counseling, early intervention service coordination, advocacy, social histories for CPSE, community education, parent training, crisis intervention, respite, home and hospital visitations, peer mentoring
and special events.

Psychologist: Cecilia Barry, M.S. ED

PARENT/PEER OUTREACH PROGRAM
Program designed to reach out to parents of newly diagnosed infants with Down syndrome at area hospitals. Offers resources and New Baby Packets on Down syndrome to families, hospital social workers and neonatal nurses. Trained parent/peer counselors make hospital and/or home visits with a trained social worker who has expertise in working with families and children with Down syndrome. Parents receive support through initial adjustment period and network with support groups and services. Counseling and support groups are available to grandparents, siblings,
etc. Social work intervention and bilingual services are provided.

Social Work Services: Julie Laufer, LMSW

HOSPITAL AFFILIATE
Affiliation with North Shore University Hospital System enables families to access on-site services of developmental pediatricians pediatric cardiologists and gastroenterologists.

CLINIC SERVICES
Licensed diagnostic evaluation and treatment for children, from infancy to age 5, with Down syndrome and other developmental disabilities in a center-based classroom or home-based setting. Provides specialized services in which psychological evaluation and treatment, social work, physical and occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, fine and gross motor skills training, nutrition counseling, sensory stimulation, audiology evaluations and nursing services are combined into highly individualized programs and treatment from prenatal diagnosis through adulthood. Activities include music and dance, parent and child groups and support and training sessions.

Clinical Coordinator: Jude Annunziata, B.S.

EARLY INTERVENTION PROGRAM
Provides comprehensive multi- disciplinary evaluation, hands-on guidance and instruction in accordance with the IFSP, from birth to age 3, for children who demonstrate cognitive deficits, speech and language delays and/or physical disabilities. The program is offered in center-based classroom and/or home-based setting.Support is given to families to encourage their child's growth in gross and fine motor skills, cognition, speech and language, social development and self help skills. Transportation services are provided.

Educational Coordinator: Jane Shimkin, M.S. Special Ed

PRESCHOOL SPECIAL EDUCATION PROGRAM
Provides preschool special education programs and related services for children, age 3 to 5. The program is offered in a center-based classroom setting, five days a week (half and full day schedules). Emphasis is placed on the acquisition of pre-academic skills, social syndrome and other developmental disabilities from birth throughout their lifetime. Children receive a distinctive readiness program reflected in an Individualized Educational Plan (IEP) that provides solid preparation for entry to kindergarten and integrated public school services. Activities include recreation, music and rhythm, movement and exercise, adaptive physical education, health and safety, nature study and field trips. Transportation services are provided.

Cecilia Barry M.S. ED

KIDS CONNECTION NURSERY/DAY CARE
Provides licensed day care and nursery preschool program in an integrated setting, for children, 6 weeks old through age 5. Curriculum includes enriched academics, computer instruction, music, sign language, dance and adaptive physical education. An indoor gym and outdoors playground offers an array of activities.

Judith Anderson: M.S. Special Ed, BA Psychology

5PLUS PROGRAM
Provides socialization skills and recreation activities for children, over age 5, with Down syndrome or other developmental disabilities and typically developing children. Children enjoy recreational programs that mirror curriculum for typically developing children. Activities are offered after traditional public school hours and on weekends. Parents provide transportation. A Saturday recreation program encompasses group sessions and socialization activities that include art, music, dance, gym, a basketball program, language arts and area trips for children, over age 5. Children may also attend a Saturday program that includes physical education and recreation activities. A specialized Teen/Young Adult Program provides area trips.

Director Adult Services: Linda Sperber, M.S. ED

SPECIALIZED CONSULTANT PROGRAM
When a child graduates from our preschool program and enters an integrated educational program within their home school district., a parent and/ or school district can request a consultant from ACDS to come into the school on an ongoing basis throughout the school year to assist in their academic and social development. The school develops an IEP that incorporates and documents need supports that include teaching strategies; level of classroom participation (individual and group experiences); decision-making abilities and socialization skills. The consultant works with school staff on refining and/or modifying strategies, and develops a fact sheet that lists tactics for teachers and parents to facilitate the child's learning process. Included in the support systems are speech and physical and occupational therapy.

Psychologist: Cecilia Barry, M.S. ED
Educational Coordinator: Jane Shimkin, M.S. Special Ed

INDIVIDUALIZED RESIDENTIAL SERVICES (IRA)
Provides residential services for 28 adults with Developmental disabilities, age 21 and over, at four IRA Group Homes, located in Wantagh, Freeport, Seaford and Merrick, NY. A fifth IRA will open during spring '05 to house 7 adults. The agency facilitates an independent life style for adult consumers, providing a level of supervision to progress towards independence in daily life that include domestic skills, social interaction, travel, community orientation, employment, care of personal finances, leisure time activities and the ability to make choices. A licensed nurse supervises support
staff training in medical areas.

Director Adult Services: Linda Sperber, M.S. ED

ADULT EDUCATION NIGHT
Program offers lifetime services to people with Down syndrome and other developmental disabilities, age 18 and over, who wish to attend classes to expand skills in an adult education setting. Program provides opportunities to acquire computer skills, yoga for beginners, creative craft activities and Spanish for beginners.

Director Adult Services: Linda Sperber, M.S. ED

KARAOKE CAFE - Click here to visit Karaoke Cafe!
Please visit our new Karaoke Café for People with Developmental Disabilities at ACDS 4 Fern Place Plainview, NY. A place for people with disabilities to kick back, enjoy friends, karaoke, and light eats in a trendy surrounding reminiscent of "Central Perk". From cool neon lights to relaxing 50's style décor to performing favorite songs on stage. Come see who is our "American Ideal"

All parents, consumers and staff are welcome! Call 516.933.4700 ext. 168

The Association For Children With Down Syndrome, Inc. (ACDS) is dedicated to providing lifetime resources of exceptional quality, innovation and inclusion for individuals with Down syndrome and other developmental disabilities. Building on almost 40 years of service, ACDS seeks to be widely recognized as a leader in the field of Down syndrome and other developmental disabilities by its commitment to quality, innovation and empowerment.