There is one school in the Richmond Hill section of Queens that is making a big difference in the lives of young children. A special needs preschool, Heart Share First Step Early Childhood Center, serves kids of varying disabilities but most prominent is those affected by autism. Theirs is a two year preschool program that offers a 8:1:3 student to teacher ratio and also provides all other therapies that children with autism require in order to make significant progress. Included are speech, occupational and physical therapies along with music therapy and art classes to provide a well rounded set of activities for the children. There is even a new playground behind the school for the kids to enjoy when the weather is nice.
Upon entering the facility, it will look like many other of the preschools in and around New York. What sets this particular school apart is the dedication of the staff in helping the children as well as their families learn and grow. Their willingness to adapt to the individual child’s needs, regardless of the severity of their developmental disability, is helping to lay a positive foundation for the child as they continue on in their education endeavors. That is exactly what special needs parents are primarily concerned with when it comes to school. They can feel great knowing that when their child is in school they are happy with their teachers, therapists and being challenged to constantly meet and exceed the goals of that particular school year. This is what the Heartshare preschool, a division of the Heartshare Human Services of New York is providing for children on the autism spectrum.
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