Acds Inc

ACDS IS DEDICATED TO PROVIDING LIFETIME RESOURCES OF EXCEPTIONAL QUALITY, INNOVATION AND INCLUSION FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DOWN SYNDROME, AUTISM AND OTHER DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES AND THEIR FAMILIES. WE PROVIDE A CONTINUUM OF YEAR ROUND PROGRAMS AND SERVICES THAT MEET THE NEEDS OF CHILDREN AND ADULTS AND THEIR FAMILIES THROUGHOUT THEIR LIFETIMES.

PRESCHOOL - ACDS PROVIDES PRESCHOOL SPECIAL EDUCATION AND INTEGRATED PROGRAMS (IN WHICH TYPICALLY DEVELOPING CHILDREN ARE ALSO SERVED), AS WELL AS RELATED THERAPY SERVICES FOR CHILDREN AGES 3 TO 5. THE PROGRAM IS OFFERED IN A CENTER-BASED CLASSROOM SETTING, FIVE DAYS A WEEK (HALF AND FULL DAY SCHEDULES ARE AVAILABLE). EMPHASIS IS PLACED ON THE ACQUISITION OF SKILLS IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS: PRE-ACADEMICS ALIGNED WITH NEW YORK STATE PRESCHOOL STANDARDS, LANGUAGE AND COMMUNICATION, SOCIALIZATION, ADAPTIVE AND GROSS AND FINE MOTOR DEVELOPMENT. ACDS ALSO PROVIDES HOME BASED SEIT SERVICES FOR CHILDREN ON THE AUTISTIC SPECTRUM IN THE PRESCHOOL AGE GROUP. PARENT TRAINING IS ALSO AVAILABLE FOR THIS POPULATION.

RESIDENTIAL AND DAY SERVICES - ACDS PROVIDES RESIDENTIAL SERVICES TO ADULTS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES. ALL OF OUR HOMES PROVIDE ROUND THE CLOCK SUPERVISION, WITH THE GOAL OF HELPING EACH RESIDENT PROGRESS TOWARDS INDEPENDENCE IN THEIR DAILY LIFE. THE AGENCY'S GROUP HOMES ENABLE THE RESIDENTS WE SERVE TO LEAVE THEIR PARENT'S HOMES AND LIVE ON THEIR OWN AS MOST YOUNG ADULTS DO. MANY OF OUR RESIDENTS ATTEND DAY PROGRAMS AND WORK EITHER FULL OR PART-TIME EARNING A SUPPLEMENTAL INCOME. EACH RESIDENT'S PROGRAM IS INDIVIDUALIZED TO HELP THEM REACH THEIR FULLEST POTENTIAL. IN ADDITION, ACDS ASSISTS CLIENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES IN ACCESSING MEDICAID, SOCIAL SECURITY AND SOCIAL SERVICES THROUGH OUR SELF DIRECTED BROKERAGE SERVICES AND FISCAL INTERMEDIARY SERVICES.

EARLY INTERVENTION - ACDS PROVIDES CHILDREN WITH EARLY INTERVENTION (EI) SERVICES, FROM BIRTH TO AGE 3. INFANTS AND TODDLERS WHO DEMONSTRATE COGNITIVE DEFICITS, SPEECH AND LANGUAGE DELAYS AND/OR PHYSICAL DISABILITIES RECEIVE MULTIDISCIPLINARY EVALUATIONS, HANDS ON GUIDANCE AND INSTRUCTION FROM LICENSED SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHERS, SPEECH AND LANGUAGE PATHOLOGISTS AND PHYSICAL AND OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS. EI SERVICES ARE OFFERED IN A HOME-BASED SETTING AND/OR CENTER-BASED CLASSROOM SETTING IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE FAMILY'S INDIVIDUALIZED FAMILY SERVICE PLAN (IFSP). WE PROVIDE CENTER BASED EDUCATION TO CHILDREN FROM 18 MONTHS TO 3 YEARS OF AGE WHO ARE ON THE AUTISTIC SPECTRUM USING THE ABA INSTRUCTIONAL METHOD. (CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O)THE INTRODUCTION OF THE ABA INSTRUCTIONAL CLASSROOMS HAS SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED OUR ABILITY TO SERVE AUTISTIC CHILDREN IN A CENTER-BASED SETTING AT THE EARLIEST STAGE OF SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT AND SETS THE FOUNDATION FOR CONTINUED SERVICE DURING THE PRESCHOOL YEARS.

OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES INCLUDE KIDS CONNECTION NURSERY/DAY CARE, A NEW YORK STATE LICENSED, DSS APPROVED DAY CARE PROGRAM THAT PROVIDES AN ENRICHED EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAM FOR MORE THAN 45 CHILDREN, AGES 6 WEEKS TO 3 YEARS. THERE IS AN ADDITIONAL 35-40, 3-5 YEAR OLD CHILDREN ATTENDING OUR INTEGRATED PRESCHOOL PROGRAM AND BEING SERVED BEFORE/AFTER SCHOOL IN DAYCARE. THE CURRICULUM AND STAFF ARE LED BY DEGREED TEACHERS AND THE PROGRAM FEATURES A LOW TEACHER STUDENT RATIO, AN OUTDOOR PLAYGROUND AND AN INDOOR GYM THAT OFFERS AN ARRAY OF ACTIVITIES. THE CURRICULUM INCLUDES AGE APPROPRIATE ENRICHED ACADEMICS, MOMMY AND ME CLASSES, MUSIC CLASSES, MOVEMENT CLASSES, SENSORY ACTIVITIES, SIGN LANGUAGE, COMPUTER INSTRUCTION, ART EDUCATION, AND SOCIALIZATION SKILLS.