Awareness and Community Integration

Conducts activities focused on increasing public awareness and understanding of autism.

Organizes social events and community programs for children and young adults on the autism spectrum, as well as family-inclusive activities designed to foster friendships, social growth, and a supportive, judgment-free environment. These events are offered across various age groups and aim to build local networks for families affected by autism.

Offers a supportive community network for families of children and young adults with autism and related special needs, facilitating connections between families to promote mutual support and inclusion regardless of specific diagnosis.

Provides Day Habilitation services in Brooklyn and Queens for individuals with autism spectrum disorders, and operates a Community Habilitation (Com Hab) program to support developmentally disabled individuals in building communication, confidence, independence, self-care, and daily living skills.

Through the Birch Training Institute, provides comprehensive training and professional development to educators, clinicians, direct support professionals, and administrators, including CTLE, ASHA CEUs, and NYS-mandated trainings in child abuse identification, school violence prevention, and autism, serving both internal staff and external agencies across the Tri-State area.

Organizes annual events including a 5K race, Golf Classic, and Soirée to raise funds and awareness, engage supporters, and celebrate community accomplishments, with recent events drawing hundreds to thousands of participants and raising over $120,000.

Provides specialized therapeutic and educational services for children with developmental delays and typically developing preschoolers through early childhood programs in New York City, including the Riverdale Early Childhood Center in the Bronx, funded by NYC DECE.

Runs the Phyllis L. Sussman School for Exceptional Children in Flushing, serving children ages 5–21 with autism, developmental delays, emotional disabilities, severe speech and language impairments, and traumatic brain injuries, and operates the Birch Annex in Washington Heights for children ages 5–8 with autism.

Operates 20 residences in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens that provide 24-hour care for adolescents and adults with severe developmental disabilities, offering housing and supervision as part of lifelong support services.

Offers training for parents and families on communication, behavior management, applied behavior analysis, self-help skills, and community integration, and hosts a monthly Family Support Group for discussion, sharing, and mutual support.

Runs the New Frontier Program Initiative and offers customized employment services including internships, job training, and job placement to support individuals with autism spectrum disorder in transitioning from high school to employment and independent living.

Supports parents in becoming effective advocates and co-developers of services for their children with autism and developmental disabilities through targeted programming and peer networks.

Conducts monthly in-person and virtual support meetings that provide a safe, nonjudgmental space for parents, grandparents, and caregivers to share experiences, build networks, and reduce isolation related to raising children with autism and developmental disabilities. These groups are part of seven ongoing programs and include a virtual social and recreational program serving 25 participants.

Organizes an annual retreat program in the Poconos that provides respite, emotional support, and opportunities for connection among parents of children with autism and developmental disabilities.

Offers monthly workshops—both in-person and virtual—that educate parents about autism and developmental disabilities, including IEPs, legal rights, available resources, and benefits, while also helping them develop functional, social, and play-based skills to strengthen parent-child relationships and build advocacy capacity.

Manages a text message alert system to inform parents about meetings and events and uses Google Forms to collect volunteer sign-ups, facilitating parent participation in school activities.

Plans and hosts events such as "Chalk the Walk" and the annual "Boo Hoo Breakfast" to welcome students and families, build school community, and connect parents with school leadership and the PTO board.

Provides direct support to students and staff at Riley Avenue Elementary School through organized programs, events, and communication initiatives aimed at enhancing school engagement and home-school collaboration.