Overview
At the Kennedy Child Study Center, a highly trained team of physicians, therapists, nurses, social workers, teachers and classroom assistants participates in the assessment of each child and the development of services that address his or her individual needs.
We provide:
- Information, advice and referrals
- Comprehensive evaluation
- Physical therapy
- Occupational therapy
- Speech therapy
- Medical consultation
- Nursing
- Parent counseling
- Psychological testing
- Parent training
- Service coordination
- Music and art
- Supervised play
- Therapeutic classrooms
- Saturday respite
Primary Programs
Clinical Services
In many instances, parents first contact the Kennedy Child Study Center to learn more about the problems of growth and development that their child may be encountering. By identifying symptoms and recognizing characteristics of specific conditions, our professional team can help parents put together meaningful plans that address both the current therapeutic needs and future educational goals of their children.
The Clinic's team includes members from a variety of professional disciplines, including pediatric medicine, psychiatry, nursing, social work, psychology, occupational therapy, physical therapy and speech therapy.
If a child is diagnosed with a developmental impairment, our staff will assist the family in securing appropriate services. Medical consultation and therapy services may be provided directly at our Clinic, or recommendation may be made for participation in other programs such as early intervention.
By having the Clinic located on-site, we are able to support medically frail and at-risk children who attend Kennedy Child Study Center's Early Intervention and Pre-School Programs.
Early Intervention
The Early Intervention Program serves children from birth to age three who may have a developmental delay or disability. It is funded and regulated by the New York State Department of Health and the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.
Our service philosophy involves a basic conviction that the application of professional efforts at a very early age can increase a child's developmental achievements. Effective intervention can overcome delays that can become severe if left unaddressed.
We also offer help to parents, providing the information and skills necessary to navigate the educational, health and social service systems that may have to be addressed as their child transitions from one state of development to the next.
Early intervention program activities occur at both Kennedy Child Study Center facilities in Manhattan and the Bronx. Each location has a range of services, which includes screening, psychological testing, medical consultation, special education, family counseling, service coordination and speech, physical and occupational therapies.
Pre-School
Our Pre-School Program serves children from ages three to five who are diagnosed with or are suspected to have a developmental disability as defined by State Education Law. Based on the individual needs of each child, the Committee on Pre-School Special Education of the New York City Department of Education determines the arrangement and location of service provision, which is supported by city and state funds.
Pre-School programs are provided at Kennedy Child Study Center's Manhattan and Bronx facilities. Each child receives specially designed instruction and therapies aimed at addressing specific developmental challenges.
The goal of Kennedy Child Study Center's Pre-School special education is to prepare children with developmental challenges for entry into the regular school system. Teachers, therapists and support staff use a developmentally appropriate curriculum. And through hands-on activities, all children in the classroom develop and refine skills in the areas of play, movement, socialization, language and self-help. At the same time, support is provided to parents as they manage the impact of the child's disability on their family's functioning.
Family Support
Experience has shown that the active involvement of family caregivers is one of the most important predictors of success for a child faced with a developmental disability.
As an integral part of the Kennedy philosophy of service, support for the family has taken many forms over the history of the agency.
- Our staff members always treat families with great sensitivity to their needs and feelings.
- Parents are offered professional counseling options.
- Parents can participate in support group activities that produce real world solutions to disability management issues.
- Parents can enroll in training that provides educational advocacy skills designed to achieve optimal school placement for their child in the future.
- Families can request Service Coordination assistance to access the various services and programs needed to achieve a better quality of life for their children.
- Families can enroll in our Respite Services Program, which provides parents with a break from the daily routine of care giving, once a month. Our children and their non-disabled siblings participate in all day Saturday field trips with a recreational focus. This allows parents to address their own needs, which often get neglected when caring for children with special needs.