What makes SLCD so special?

The SLCD mission is to identify children with language and autism spectrum disorders as early as possible to prepare them for a world filled with words, sentences, and messages. We are one of a few specialized schools in the nation for children with language and communication disorders, and our intensive program brings results. More than 95% of children who come to SLCD in preschool go on to attend public school kindergarten.

SLCD sets the pace in New York State with innovative programs that address the unique developmental needs of children struggling to develop the words to reach out to others. Interactive classrooms are structured as language laboratories with small class size, taught by a licensed professional faculty dedicated to each child’s social, emotional, intellectual and language development. All the children are immersed in language activities using different methods so that we reach each child and teach each child.

A team of educators develop a custom program for each child that provides the right teacher, the right setting, and the right curriculum. If a student needs to focus on arithmetic, reading lessons will include numbers and social studies lessons will include counting states. SLCD uses curriculum that incorporates New York State Learning Standards.

Students also receive specialized therapeutic services that support their unique needs. These may include: speech, physical and occupational therapy, counseling, adaptive physical education, and computer-based learning instruction.