LIFELINE CENTER FOR CHILD DEVELOPMENT

Lifeline Center for Child Development was founded in 1959 as a five day a week kindergarten serving six seriously emotionally handicapped children.  Back in the 1950’s and 1960’s the New York City Board of Education was limited in their ability to serve mentally ill children.  In many cases these children were either hospitalized or institutionalized. Today Lifeline Center serves 185 seriously emotionally handicapped children with disabilities which may include Pervasive Developmental Disorder, Asperger’s Syndrome, Psychotic Disorder, Attention Deficit Disorder/Hyperactivity Disorder, Oppositional Defiant Disorder and Severe Adjustment Disorder.  Children exhibiting fearfulness, anxiety, hyperactivity, depression, impulsivity, Expressive and receptive language delays, withdrawal, autistic-like and psychotic behavior, and who have difficulty in getting along with people and the world around them are considered for admission.

Specialized programs are organized within a supportive, structured, therapeutic environment that facilitates the child’s functioning in the everyday world.  Our Pre-School program serves children between the ages of 3 to 5 and our Upper School serves children between 5 and 18.  Our children are grouped in small classes with 8-9 children and a certified special education teacher and assistant teachers. Lifeline’s experienced multi-disciplinary staff provides the warmth and encouragement that helps each child achieve maximum potential through services which may include, individual and group therapy, speech, art, music, physical and occupational therapy, as well as psychiatric intervention and medication management.  All these services as well as transportation are provided to the children and their families at no cost and are available year round.  Lifeline’s goal is to help these children adjust to the world around them and help them return back to regular or less restrictive programs within their community.