Post-Secondary Programs for Adult Children with Special Needs
The following is a list of programs and resources that might be of value to parents of adult children with special needs. Some of these appear in the book in greater detail. Apologies for the geographic limitations of the listings.
Center for Adaptive Learning
Theresa Ortega, Executive Director
3227 Clayton Road, Concord, CA 94519
(925) 827 3863
www.centerforadaptivelearning.org
Cape Cod Community College, Project Forward
Peter Daley
2240 Iyannough Road; West Barnstable, MA 02668
(508) 362-2131 ext. 4763
www.capecod.edu/projectforward
Mike Gunther,
Director of Admissions,
National Office
119 South Street, Lee, MA 01201
(877) 566 9247 ext 30
(Six Programs in CA, FL, IN, MA and NY)
email: admissions@cipworldwide.org
Six Locations: Austin TX, Costa Mesa CA, Monterey CA, Rockville MD, Ft. Lauderdale. FL, Denver CO
800-486-5058
Email: tprior@experiencecle.com
Description: For more than 20 years, CLE has been helping students with varying disabilities prepare for life as independent adults. Offering individualized supports, CLE services are tailored around students pursuing their academic or vocational program of choice. CLE provides each student with the supports needed to meet their goals, create meaningful relationships, and increase their confidence.
Locations: Austin TX, Denver CO
855-664-9333
www.independentlivingexperience.com
Description: Independent Living Experience (ILE) is a customized support service for adults with disabilities desiring a life of independence. The ILE staff works to improve the independence of clients by designing services to align with the agreed-upon goals from the client and their family, then offering the right supports through skill acquisition and maintenance in their living, working, and social environments.
Donald Bailey
P O Box 31656, Charleston, SC, 29417
843-763-449
www.collegetransitionconnection.org
(Carolina Life, Clemson Life, Coastal Carolina Life, and REACH at the College of Charleston, Winthrop University)
Kathy Titus, Todd Hebert
551 Route 6A; East Sandwich, MA 02537
(508) 888-0489
email: ktitus@riverviewschool.org
Helen McDonald
29 Everett Street; Cambridge, MA 02138-2790
(617) 349-8184
Jennifer Scully
5142 Route 22; Amenia, NY 12501
(845) 373 8191
email: jscully@maplebrookschool.org
Carol Burns
5202 Old Orchard Road, Skokie, IL 60077
(847) 905 2671
Dr. Ernst VanBergeijk and Sheree Incorvaia
Vocational Independence Program, 300 Carleton Avenue – VIP Independence Hall
Central Islip, NY 11722
(631) 348-3354
Charlene Reed
101 So Lewis Lane, Carbondale, IL 62901
(618) 549 4201
email: charlene.reed@experienceoptions.org
Independent Living Programs (long-term):
Laurel Ross, Executive Director
Contact: Amy Samalin
50 Glenville Street, Greenwich, CT 06831
(203) 531 1880 ext. 128
email: samalin@abilis.us
4 Berkshire Blvd. Bethel, CT 06801
120 Kisco Ave. Mt. Kisco, NY 12509
www.abilitybeyonddisability.org
email: info@abilitybeyonddisability.org
Contact Information:
Beth Molinaro
Ability Beyond Disability
Information & Referral Manager
4 Berkshire Boulevard, Bethel, CT 06801
203.826.3119
email: beth.molinaro@abilitybeyonddisability.org
Ability Beyond Disability is a resource for people with developmental or acquired disabilities, including but not limited to: Down Syndrome, cerebral palsy, autism spectrum disorders, brain injury, mental illness and physical disabilities. The majority of individuals served are adults or young adults and supports can address a single life episode or span an entire lifetime. Ability Beyond Disability helps approximately 2,000 people each year. Our unique approach helps people of all abilities to make connections and succeed in the community. Through innovative community job training and placement, supported living, and recreational and educational opportunities, we help each individual to live a full and rewarding life.
Kristen Tillona
48 Woodbridge Street, South Hadley, MA 01075
(413) 540 9720 ext. 202
email: ktillona@berkshirehills.org
508 – 510 Main Street, Centerville MA 02633
(508) 827-4613
email: thecaptainshouse.org@gmail.com
Aaron Vorell, Executive Director
27231 Calle Arroyo, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
(949) 496 9001
email: avorell@casadeamma.org
Ann Sickon, Executive Director
1015 Davis Street, Evanston, IL 60201
(847) 328 2044
Catherine Sullivan DeCarlo
1040 Whalley Avenue; New Haven, CT 06515
(203) 397-1714 ext 148
email: cdecarlo@chapelhaven.org
Founded in 1972, Chapel Haven remains a pioneer in teaching adults with cognitive disabilities, Asperger’s Syndrome and those on the autism spectrum to live independent and productive lives. (Programs in CT and AZ)
Eileen McDonald Egan, Executive Director
Heather Aylward, Director of Programs and Services
99 Quentin Roosevelt Boulevard, Suite 200, Garden City, NY 11530
516-683-0710, ext. 209
www.communitymainstreaming.org
email: haylward@communitymainstreaming.org
Cynthia Sutherland
1367 Lyons Road, Coconut Creek, FL 33063
(954) 968 6472
email: csutherland@filinc.org
David Finkelstein
1002 Devonshire Road, Hauppauge, NY 11788
(631) 630 5550
email: setauketpop@aol.com
John and Sasha McNamara
1 Great Hill Road, Sandwich, MA 02563
(508) 778-0041
email: halyardservices@aol.com
Diana Gentile
63 Sisson Road, Harwichport, MA 02646
(774) 237 0706
email: deegee127@gmail.com
Judy Maizlish
3640 S Sepulveda Blvd., Ste 102, Los Angeles, CA 90034
(310) 202 7102
email: judym@independencecenter.com
Matthew and Tracy Files
383 Route 6A, East Sandwich, MA 02537
P.O. Box 31, East Sandwich, MA 02537
(774) 313 9176
email: independencefarmcapecod@gmail.com
Lynn Kucher
65 Academy Street; South Orange, NJ 07079
(973) 762-6909 ext. 313
email: lkucher@jespy.org
Justin Collers, Admissions Manager
18001 N 79 Avenue, Suite E71, Glendale, AZ 85308
(623) 773-2774
email: JColler@life-development-inst.org
email: LDIinARIZ@aol.com
P.O. Box 147, Danvers, MA 01923
(978) 766-4262
email: LITEhouse@theLITEhouse.org
LITEhouse, Inc. (Learning Independence Through Experiences) is a residential program dedicated to providing a home for adults with learning/cognitive disabilities where they can feel safe, comfortable, and confident enough to achieve enriched and valuable lives. Our staff provides 24/7 around-the-clock support. LITEhouse, Inc. strives to provide an independent atmosphere and encourage the development of an interdependent community by promoting self-sufficiency and cultivating supportive social relationships amongst a group of peers with disabilities. Our main focus is to create a home for young adults to love as their own. As our residents learn independence and accountability, they will also develop a sense of personal growth and self-fulfillment. Our program is designed to be centrally located in a small town, where the residents can have the maximum amount of independence, with access to all the basic necessities within walking distance. Of course, staff will provide transportation, as necessary. The home and program we have created are designed to promote productive, happy lives. Our goal is to provide the means for a happy and well-balanced life. We believe in offering support while also fostering accountability and responsibility. Through meaningful experiences, our residents will develop and improve their skill sets, which include self-confidence and self-advocacy, determination, independence, interdependence, dignity, and life-fulfillment
Diane Enochs, Exec. Director
550 Lincoln Road Ext., Hyannis, MA 02601
Hyannis: (508) 790-3600
Mashpee: (508) 477-6670
email: diane@lifecapecod.org
Will Hoermann
P O Box 2250, Manchaca, TX 78652
(512) 282 1144
email: wchoermann@marbridge.org
Located just south of downtown Austin, Texas, Marbridge has a unique 60-year history of providing post-secondary residential training to adults with cognitive challenges in a safe, nurturing community.
Donna Feingold, Executive Director
1020 Clinton Street, Suite 210, Napa, CA 94559
(707) 251 8603
email: donnaf@moving-forward.org
James and Jenn O’Connell
3401 Main Street, Barnstable MA 02630
(774) 289 1182
(508) 395 0068
Barbara Greene, Director
Westchester Jewish Community Services
845 North Broadway, White Plains, NY 10603-2427
(914) 761 0600 ext 175 or
(718) 625 0803
email: bgreene@wjcs.com
Douglas Gale, Executive Director
5455 North River Run Drive, Provo, UT 84604
(801) 226 2550
email: info@svacademy.org
David and Margot Wizansky
45 Bartlett Crescent; Brookline, MA 02445
(617) 277-1805
email: davidwiz@verizon.net
Andy Conover
929 Rolling Thunder Drive, O’Fallon, MO 63368
(636) 561-1900
email: aconover@stlouislife.org
Colleen Cahill, Owner and Operator, TGI
1236 Craigville Beach Road, Centerville, MA 02632
(508) 775 3736
Toward Greater Independence (Facebook page)
email: tgi-cahill@comcast.net
Ann Cotter-Mack
East Brook Executive Park, 20 Eastbrook Road, Dedham, MA 02026
(781) 302 4600 ext. 4659
email: anncm@tillinc.org
Bobbi Guercia - Director of Admissions and External Relations
1356 Old Clinton Road, Westbrook, CT 06498
107 Bradley Road, Madison, CT 06443
(860) 399-8080
email: bguercia@vistavocational.org
Transitional Programs (short-term):
Mike Gunther,
Director of Admissions,
National Office
119 South Street, Lee, MA 01201
(877) 566 9247 ext 30
(Six Programs in CA, FL, IN, MA and NY)
email: admissions@cipworldwide.org
Kathy Titus, Todd Hebert
551 Route 6A; East Sandwich, MA 02537
(508) 888-0489
Dr. Jade Carter, Director
Dawn White, Admissions Coordinator
2018 15th Avenue South: Birmingham, AL 35205
(205) 322-6606 or (800) 822-6242
email: jcarter@horizonsschool.org
email: dwhite@horizonsschool.org
The Horizons School is a non-degree transition program specifically designed to create personal, social, career independence, and build self-determination skills for young adults (ages 18-26) with learning differences.
7501 Logan Avenue, Suite 2A, Minneapolis, MN 55423
612-869-4008
email: admissions@mnlifecollege.org
MLC offers summer internships, a three year undergraduate program and for program graduates, a lifelong Graduate Living Community option.
Day Program:
Ms. Christine Spaulding
32 Commercial Street, So Yarmouth MA 02664
(508) 398 3333
email: cspaulding@transitionscenter.org
Social Support Services:
Cara Freedman,
P O Box 813, Marblehead, MA 01945
74 Atlantic Avenue, Marblehead, MA 01945
781-990-3056
email: info@anchortowindward.org
Offers social programming/independent living.
Director: Mary Ann Matthews
P. O. Box 433, Centerville, MA 02632
Phone: 508-862-1662
email: esprit@espritpfi.org
Provides social, vocational and independent life skills training.
Center Place, 1550 Falmouth Road, Unit 4A, Centerville, MA 02632
Phone: 508-862-1662
email: mamathews@lifetimesplanning.com
Natalie Blue
6 Southside Road, Danvers MA 01923
(978) 624 2314
email: kchallen@ne-arc.org
Dale Belcher
20 Eastbrook Road, Dedham MA 02026
(781) 302 4619
email: dale.belcher@tillinc.org
Brooke Stephens
1025 23rd Street S, Suite 300, Birmingham AL 35205
(205) 581 1000
email: bstephens@triumphservices.org
Vocational Assessment/Job Search:
Marty Gravelle
4 Bacon Terrace, P O Box 1987, Hyannis MA 02601
(508) 790 7818 ext 106
email: marty@csacapecod.com
Aquatic Therapy
PO Box 183, Botsford CT, 06404
203-545-0024
email: Angelfishtherapy@gmail.com
Angelfish Therapy is a Pediatric Aquatic Therapy Company that provides many services to children with all levels of abilities. We provide individual and small group Aquatic therapy, with licensed Occupational and Physical Therapists. We offer the Swim Whisperer swim lesson program, run by swim instructors trained by us in working with children within the wide range of sensory processing disorders, so that they can learn how to swim more efficiently and with less discomfort. We run two camp programs, Camp Mighty Mind, a three-week brain based movement day camp helping children with sensory integration disorders, motor incoordination and attention issues, learn how to improve learning by automating motor skills. We run a one-week sleep away camp program called Camp Angelfish, which is on the shores of Lake Winnipesaukee in New Hampshire, during August. It is a recreational camp experience for children of all abilities, from those needing one on one support, to higher level children needing a small group to feel confident and successful in a sleep away camp experience, to our last group which is typical siblings and friends looking to share in the sleep away camp experience with their sibling who has special needs. The final component of our program is the education piece where we do trainings for other therapists, swim instructors and parents, on our techniques through continuing education courses that we offer and educational DVD's available for purchase on our website. Our mission to help enable children of all abilities to reach their full potential by feeling confident and comfortable in their bodies.
Therapeutic Equestrian Program
Pegasus Special Needs Resource Information
Pegasus Therapeutic Riding
310 Peach Lake Road, Brewster, NY 10509
(845) 669-8235
email: info@pegasustr.org
To inquire about our programs:
Emily Wygod
Program Coordinator
(845) 669-8235 x104
Pegasus has provided equine-assisted activities and therapies for people with special needs since 1975. We are an accredited PATH International Premier Center with four chapters in Putnam, Westchester and Fairfield counties, including Pegasus Farm, our main equestrian center in Brewster, N.Y. Our PATH-certified instructors, physical therapists, occupational therapists and educators partner highly trained therapy horses with people with physical, cognitive, emotional and developmental disabilities. Students are accepted as young as four years old. While the majority of our 225 students are under 18, our programs serving adults with special needs are growing. Pegasus offers a therapeutic riding program and Horses & Me, an equine learning and barn education program. Therapeutic riding exercises both mind and muscle and can produce remarkably improved mobility, balance, posture, coordination, language development, behavior control and concentration. Lessons include instruction in basic riding skills as well as opportunities for social interaction, recreation, sport, therapy and work with developmental concepts. Horses & Me activities take place during unmounted sessions in the barn and/or arena. Students progress through sequenced activities adapted to their abilities. Lesson topics may include grooming, equine nutrition and first aid, ground training, basic equine anatomy, and how to tack up and lead a horse.
Theater, Socialization and Housing for Special Needs
PO Box 1136, Ridgefield, CT 06877
Rebecca L. Ciota
914-329-2373
email: rlciota@aol.com
SPHERE's mission is to improve the quality of life for adults with developmental disabilities. Our major programs include SPA Performing Arts, a Summer Art Workshop, SPHERE Soap-Making, SPHERE Jewelry Making, Job Coaching, Employment Opportunities and Transportation Assistance. Founded over twenty-five years ago and certified by the IRS as a not-for-profit organization, SPHERE serves members throughout Fairfield County with disabilities ranging from Down Syndrome to PKU. Our goals include introducing our members to the community as vibrant, productive and employable members of society. We accomplish this through film, outreach programs and events involving the community.
Publication on Parenting Children with Disabilities
Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital
Louise Kinross
150 Kilgour Rd., Toronto M4G 1R8
416 424 3866
http://bloom-parentingkidswithdisabilities.blogspot.com/
email: lkinross@hollandbloorview.ca
BLOOM is a practical magazine on parenting children with disabilities. It gives voice to the joys and challenges of special-needs parenting by combining firsthand family insights with the best professional advice
Down Syndrome & Dental Care is a thorough resource guide that discusses dental appointments for patients with Down Syndrome. The guide is wonderful for caregivers and family members as it talks about different topics such as the most common dental problems seen in patients with Down Syndrome as well as how to find the right dentist for your loved one and how to prepare for their appointment. This article has been medically fact checked and written by Dr. Andrew Jordan and Dr. Greg Grillo, both practicing special needs dentists.
Dental Care Guidance for Caregivers of Patients with Down Syndrome
Lindsay Naeder
Autism Response Team Manager
1 East 33rd Street 4th Floor, New York, NY 10016
(917) 475-5066
email: Lindsay.naeder@autismspeaks.org
Contact the Autism Response Team
1-888 AUTISM2 (288-4762)
En Español: 1-888-772-9050
familyservices@autismspeaks.org
Alison Sanchez, Advocacy Director
https://cerebralpalsygroup.com/
Alex Diaz-Granados
Contact: http://www.cerebralpalsyguidance.com/contact/
Lizzie Higgins, Outreach Director
3208 E. Colonial Dr. #241, Orlando, FL 32803
(885) 329-1008
email: contact@cerebralpalsyguide.com
Our organization shares educational materials to families and individuals affected by cerebral palsy, including information about different therapies, treatment options, and financial resources.
SMSR
18620 SW 39th Street, Miramar, FL 33029
203-450-9022
email: info@smsresearchfoundation.org
Contact information: Jennifer Iannuzzi, co-founder of The Smith Magenis Research Foundation
email: Jmiannuzzi@gmail.com
Our mission is to support research to improve the knowledge and understanding of SMS so that viable therapeutic options can be developed in order to improve the quality of life of those with SMS. The Smith Magenis Research Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in June 2010.