Our mission is to empower children and adults with developmental disabilities to achieve their potential based on personal choices, abilities and interests...

For more information about our Early Childhood Services please contact:

Fran Porcaro
Director of Educational Services
phone
(914) 327-3227
ext. 106
fporcaro@
westchesterarc.org

The Children's School for Early Development
40 Saw Mill River Road
Hawthorne, NY 10532

Westchester Arc
Herbert Katzenberg Center
121 Westmoreland Avenue
White Plains, NY 10606
(914) 949-9300
info@westchesterarc.org

24-hour
Crisis Intervention:
(914) 949-8200

Información en Español


Sign Up for News & Updates

Rewriting the Dream: Pre-School Supports Family’s Ambitions

Nolan greets the morning with a smile.

“When I learned I was pregnant, I instantly developed a dream for my child,” begins Pauline Spitzer. “When my son, Nolan, was diagnosed with autism, I thought that dream was over. Working with The Children’s School for Early Development helped me realize that our dreams were far from over, they just needed to be rewritten.”

Nolan first came to The Children’s School at 18 months through early intervention, a highly focused program that combines special education, social work, physical and occupational therapies to help children, three and under, build communication and motor skills.

After early intervention, Nolan was using sign language to communicate his wants and needs.

“Our entire family benefited from early intervention,” continues Pauline. “Staff were amazing. They came to our house, answered all of our questions and really helped us understand Nolan.”

At age four, Nolan began attending classes at the pre-school’s main site in Hawthorne. He continued to thrive, thanks to the Children’s School innovative ABA/VB (applied behavior analysis/verbal behavior) approach, which combines intensive, highly structured techniques with a flexible, natural approach to learning speech and communication patterns.

By the end of the year, Nolan could eat with a fork, drink from a cup and was potty trained. He also began making his own choices.

“I would offer Nolan juice and he’d point to the milk instead,” recalls Pauline. “I was amazed at his progress and very happy with the pre-school’s services. I always felt like Nolan was in a safe, supportive environment where he could get a top-notch education.”

Nolan is a well-rounded youngster who enjoys       swimming, music and sports.

After graduating from The Children’s School in 2006, Nolan moved on to a kindergarten class in his home school district. There, he learned to become more verbal and established friendships with his peers. Pauline credits The Children’s School.

“Nolan’s kindergarten class also used ABA/VB, so he was very comfortable with the transition,” she says. “The fact that a public school system has adopted similar methods as The Children’s School really says something about its educational innovation. The Children’s School is the total package and our family is just one example of its many success stories.”