The day care and preschool special education center in Dix Hills has added a sensory integration room as well as several new programs.
Alternatives For Children in Dix Hills added Head Start, Early Head Start, and Department of Social Services subsidized care (for qualifying families), plus a sensory integration room at its Dix Hills location in fall 2016.
By using the creative curriculum aligned with the NYS Common Core Standards, Alternatives For Children aims to prepare children for kindergarten by providing quality child care and preschool education.
The sensory integration room, used by occupational therapists and other staff, can help calm or stimulate a child through each of their senses via specialized lighting, aromatherapy, sounds, and more. Sensory integration is developed as a child grows and learns through the course of typical childhood activities. Children who have difficulties or delays in learning to organize and interpret the information presented to them can use this room to their benefit.
“We are so fortunate to have the sensory [integration] room,” says parent engagement coordinator Therese Blanton. “This space allows us to use any of the various machines to modify or control certain behaviors, which can result in improved attention, motor functioning, communication, and an enhanced learning experience.”
Alternatives For Children aims to provide the highest quality education services and programs to children with disabilities, as well as typically developing peers. Education, medical, pediatric, and support services are all integrated in the program’s curriculum in order to ensure that the comprehensive needs of both the child and family are met.
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Main image: At Alternatives For Children in Dix Hills, the sensory integration room is used to help children with sensory issues.
Courtesy Alternatives For Children
