What childcare looks like for an autistic toddler or preschooler in NYC — the difference between a therapeutic preschool, an inclusive daycare, and a public CPSE placement, and how families piece it together.
For families of young autistic children, "daycare" and "school" blur together. In New York City, the same age range is served by a mix of therapeutic preschools, inclusive childcare, ABA-based classrooms, and publicly funded preschool special-education placements — and most families end up combining more than one.
This page explains the landscape for ages roughly 2 to 5, how the CPSE and Early Intervention systems fund it, and how to find a program that fits your child.
Runs preschool and early-intervention programs using ABA principles and provides Special Education Itinerant Teacher (SEIT) services for children classified by the CPSE. Serves families across New York City and Long Island.
Visit siteProvides play-based special education and therapeutic services for young children with autism or developmental delays in small classes, and collaborates with community preschools so children with IEPs can learn alongside typically developing peers.
Visit siteOperates preschools for children ages 3-5 across several boroughs, including specialized ABA classrooms for children on the autism spectrum, with related services like speech, OT, and counseling provided per the CPSE.
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