School Age Services
What are School Age Services?
At New York Therapy Placement Services (NYTPS), we partner with public school districts and special education facilities to provide a wide range of services for elementary, middle, and high school students. Our expert teams deliver direct support services including Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Speech-Language Therapy, Special Education, Behavioral Intervention, and Counseling. We also offer specialized programs such as Handwriting, Sensory Motor, and Reading Services, as well as Assistive Technology and Augmentative Alternative Communication to empower every student. In addition to direct services, we offer OT/PT/SLP consultations and Whole Classroom Push-In Programs, working collaboratively with educators to strengthen classroom strategies. Our offerings also include Resource Room Services, Teachers of the Deaf/Hard of Hearing, and tailored ABA and Response to Intervention (RTI) programs. Together, these services reflect our deep commitment to supporting diverse student needs and fostering student-centered learning environments.
What is Neurotypical Development?
Milestones by Age
5 to 6 years (Early Childhood)
- Ability to tell simple stories with two or more connected events
- Use of time-related words such as yesterday, tomorrow, morning, and night
- Recognition and writing of some or all letters in their name
- Focus and attention maintained for 5–10 minutes during structured activities
- Understanding and following of rules, including turn-taking during group games
- Development of friendships and demonstration of empathy toward others’ feelings
- Engagement in creative expression through singing, dancing, and imaginative play
- Check out more from CDC website
6 to 8 years (Early Childhood)
- Increased coordination and muscle control
- Improved fine motor skills, such as handwriting, drawing detailed pictures, or using scissors.
- Mastery of basic reading, writing, and math skills; starting to read books on their own
- Developing problem-solving skills and logic
- Forming stronger peer relationships
- Better emotional regulation, though they may still experience emotional outbursts
9 to 12 Years (Pre-Adolescence)
- More refined coordination and motor skills, excelling in sports or hobbies
- Development of physical endurance and strength
- Becoming more skilled at abstract thinking, logical reasoning, and problem-solving
- Stronger interest in complex games, puzzles, or topics
- Improved reading comprehension and written expression, including forming opinions and writing longer essays
- Increased self-awareness and sensitivity to how others view them
- Testing boundaries and expressing a desire for autonomy while still needing support
13 to 18 Years (Adolescence)
- Rapid growth and physical changes due to puberty, including hormonal changes, development of secondary sexual characteristics, and growth spurts
- Full development of motor skills and physical coordination
- Greater need for sleep due to growth and development
- Advanced reasoning and problem-solving skills
- Improved decision-making skills but still prone to impulsive behavior
- Learning to cope with emotions like stress, anger, and disappointment in more mature ways
- Developing a stronger sense of identity, including interests, values, and personal goals
- Increased need for autonomy
School Age Services We Provide
Serving Nassau, Suffolk Counties, and the 5 Boroughs of NYC
Types of Services
We provide the following support services to children in elementary, middle, high school, and home-based schooling under the direction of the Committee on Special Education (CSE) and in compliance with your child’s individual education plan (IEP):
- Occupational Therapy
- Behavioral Intervention
- Physical Therapy
- Handwriting and Hand Skills Programs
- Speech Language Therapy
- OT/PT/SP Consultations & Whole Classroom Push-In programs
- Sensory Motor Programs
- Resource Room Services
- Teacher of the Deaf/Hard of Hearing Services
- Reading Specialist Services
- Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Services, Direct Behavior Support Services & Response to intervention (RTI) Programs
- FBA/BIP (Functional Behavioral Analysis and Behavior Intervention Planning)
- Parent Training
- Counseling
- Psychoeducational Evaluations
- Vision Services
- Assistive Technology and Augmentative Alternative Communication Services
- Evaluations Available for all Related Services, Special Education Services, and AT/AAC
- Bilingual Evaluations can be administered in 200+ languages
Does My Child Need School Age Services?
Parent Resources
Information and Guides
Bilingual Resources
Our Referral Process
Step 1: Initial Concern & District Referral
Long Island:
If a parent or guardian has developmental concerns, they can call their local school district and refer their child to the Committee on Special Education (CSE). New York Therapy is happy to explain and guide families through the process before they contact the district.
NYC:
If you believe your child may need special education support, you can submit a written request to your child’s school. This request should be directed to the School-Based Support Team (SBST). The SBST is responsible for reviewing your concerns and determining whether an evaluation is needed.
Step 2: Schedule Your Child’s Evaluation
Long Island:
Once the referral is made, the school district will arrange for your child to be evaluated and may contact New York Therapy Placement Services directly to request the evaluation. Our School-Age Support Team is always here to assist families by offering guidance on how to connect with their district’s special education department.
NYC:
If the SBST approves the request, they will enter it into the Special Education Student Information System (SESIS).
SESIS will automatically assign the evaluation request to an approved agency. Once an agency accepts the case, an evaluator will contact you to talk about your concerns and coordinate the evaluation schedule—typically during school hours at your child’s school.
After the evaluation is completed, the evaluator will upload the reports to SESIS. If services are recommended, the evaluator will also add Present Levels of Performance (PLOPs) and proposed goals to support IEP planning.
Step 3: Eligibility Meeting
After the evaluations are completed, the school district (Long Island) or Committee on Special Education (NYC) will schedule a meeting with the family to determine whether the child is eligible for special education services.
Step 4: IEP Development
If the child is eligible for services, the the Committee on Special Education (CSE) will create an educational plan called an Individualized Education Program (IEP), which states the special education services the child has the right to receive to meet their needs.
Meet Our School Age Team!
Long Island Team
Elizabeth Atterole, MS, CCC-SLP/TSSLD-BE
Chief Clinical Officer
Donna Bernesser, B.S Marketing and Consumer Sciences
Director of School Age Services
Clare Burke, LMSW
Assistant Director of School Age Services
Kristin Hoefler, MS. Ed
School Age Evaluations Placement &
Senior Coordinator
Kristine DiMasi, OTR/L
School Age Coordinator
Mary Siemers, MS. Ed
School Age Coordinator
Jennifer Pastore, BS MT
School Age Coordinator
Mikaela Encizo
School Age Coordinator
Linda Muzik
CPSE & CSE Speech Placement Coordinator
Stacey Gouzos
Behavioral Programs Specialist
Brianna Connolly
Placement Coordinator
NYC Team
Elizabeth Atterole, MS, CCC-SLP/TSSLD-BE
Chief Clinical Officer
Dana Hall, MS, LBA, BCBA
Director of Behavioral Services
Kate Lieberman, MS. Ed
Director of Non-Contract Services
Donna Sutherland
NYC Non-Contract Service Manager
Cindy Burger
Manager of School Age Evaluations &
Non-Contract RS Coordinator
Stacey Gouzos
Behavioral Programs Specialist
David Tellerman, MA CCC-SLP, TSHH, SDA
Chief Business Development &
Community Engagement Officer
Yanet Etienne
Related Services Manager
Stephanie Ruggiero
Facilities Coordinator
Testimonials
From Providers
I worked at the Farmingdale NYTPS office for 4 years and only left because my husband and I moved. I truly enjoyed the corporate culture and everything about coming to work each day. Everyone is genuinely happy and cares about their jobs and the work that they do for children. The owner has an open door policy and sets a great example for the office. She is an excellent leader and has true care for her employees. I felt that my job made a difference helping students and this feeling was unanimously shared throughout the office. I will be hard pressed to find another job or office environment that will top this experience.
Anonymous Former Employee
Great Place to work and enjoy life
Pros
The working atmosphere is perfect and a great place to learn and get hands-on training. I definitely recommend this place.
Anonymous Current Employee
Hands down the best company I have worked for.
Pros
Supportive administrative team, multiple opportunities for growth, flexible schedule ,
excellent work-life balance.
Anonymous Current Employee
I’ve had an incredible experience with New York Therapy, both as an employee and a parent. My son has received outstanding therapies through NYT, and as an employee, I am honored to work for a company so dedicated and passionate about serving children and families with special needs.
Anonymous Employee
It’s a great place to work. We have an outstanding team of dedicated employees & clinic staff. We’re making a difference one child at a time. One Company One Mission!
Gina Torre
From Parents
The dedication and above and beyond service of the employees to help many children of many communities is to be commended. Always attentive to both parents’ and childrens’ needs.
Andrea
Had our Early Intervention with NY Therapy and they were the kindest people! They truly care and take the time to explain everything. I can not thank them enough
Katherine
My son receives speech therapy at this facility, and he thoroughly enjoys it. The staff there are exceptionally courteous and professional.
Soner
My son started with NYTKids almost 8 years ago for speech, PT, OT. The therapists and staff were incredible and my son is now thriving in 6th grade; blowing away all his IEP goals. I owe everything to these people. My son blossomed socially and academically.
Elizabeth
I had an amazing experience with New York Therapy when they evaluated my son through early intervention. The staff and therapists were attentive, caring, and provided great resources and recommendations to help my child thrive. I wouldn’t ever consider using another agency!
Ariana
From evaluations to services, the agency has been phenomenal with my daughter and we are very lucky to have such great providers.
Colleen
New York Therapy truly cares about their families and strives to provide the best to them. Above and beyond…
Sandy
Everyone is professional and kind and considerate we see a big difference in our child see aways looks forward to coming
Thomas
