4 Hudson Valley Parent
n
Spring 2020
skills such as appropriate behavior and
communication, as well as social interac-
tion and increased independence," said
Clinical Director, Nicole Weinstein.
Abilities First offers assessments,
programs and services for people of all
ages with disabilities. Special programs
for children include an early childhood
program for birth to 5 years and a child-
hood program, 5 to 21 years. The organi-
zation also provides adult services.
Student classes include academics,
art, music, adaptive physical education
and others. In all, the organization serves
more than 1,500 children and adults
throughout the Mid-Hudson Valley, in-
cluding Ulster, Orange, Dutchess,
Putnam, Green and Columbia counties.
"We work with a total-communication
approach," said Jennifer Cox, the organi-
zation's assistant director of education.
"There are so many ways to get ideas
across, even to children with severe dis-
abilities."
Independent Living serves individu-
als with developmental disabilities and
their families in Orange, Dutchess, Ulster,
Rockland, and Columbia counties, in-
cluding locations in Newburgh, Middle-
town and Monticello.
The program's family and student
services encompass education advo-
cacy and transition supports for stu-
dents between the ages of 6 and 21,
an after-school learning
enrichment program, a
Community Indepen-
dence Program that offers
independent living skills
training, and a Saturday
activity/respite program.
Independent Living
also helps in the of-
ten-complicated task that
parents face when seek-
ing useful information
and making choices about
how best to fill their kids'
needs.
Grace McCoy is a writer and
editor who lives in the Mid-Hud-
son Valley.
