treatment of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders
The wonderful students and staff of Smithtown High School East once again hosted a fun evening for NSSA students and clients on April 1, 2016.
They decorated the space and dressed according to a Luau theme and everyone had a great time dancing, snacking and limbo-ing.
The event is geared for students and clients aged 14 and up. Smithtown students encourage dancing and socializing. NSSA staff attends as well.
DJ Matt Figuccio keeps the party lively playing favorite tunes.
Thanks again to Smithtown High School East for being such gracious hosts, we look forward to seeing you again soon!
Martin C. Barell’s Classroom 1 is our youngest classroom, with six boys between the ages of 7-9. Six (wonderful!) teachers work with them throughout the day from the moment they get off the bus in the morning until they leave to go home at the end of the day. As you can imagine with boys this age, this is a busy classroom! Let’s follow them through a day back last summer…
The boys arrive by bus at 9am.
They greet their friends while learning to unpack and put their backpacks away in their lockers.
Mornings are spent doing goal work, such as reading, counting and sequencing.
And then there’s some time to learn to play with new toys.
The teachers were designing a new bulletin board for the classroom with the theme “Kicking Off to a New Year” so we had a little photo shoot with the boys dressed as football players.
Lunchtime is spent practicing using utensils and napkins appropriately and trying new foods.
Once a week the group takes a yoga class where they learn and practice postures and movements.
After working up a sweat in yoga, the class heads next door to the JCC for swim.
Some are super enthusiastic to get in the pool!
Some are a little more cautious…
But once in, everyone enjoys themselves.
After swim it’s almost time to get ready to pack up to go home.
The end of a long day. See ya tomorrow!
As has become an annual tradition, the staff and students of Smithtown High School East hosted a winter dance for the 14+-year-old students and clients of NSSA and The Martin C. Barell School. On January 9, 2016, students decorated a cafeteria with giant paper snowflakes, twinkle lights and glittery branches, turning the lunchroom into a winter wonderland. Pizza and snacks were provided, as well as a yummy dessert buffet. DJ Matt Figuccio rocked the house with favorite tunes and colored light show. Smithtown High School East students mingled and danced with our students and staff, including a rousing conga line! When parents came at the end of the evening, they had some tired but happy kids to take home. Thank you Smithown High School East for inviting our kids once again to a super fun evening and for being great peer models for our students and clients!
Every December NSSA hosts Family Fun Night – an opportunity for families and staff to socialize, share a meal, and enjoy watching students, clients and siblings do craft projects and play in the classrooms.
Any craft that involves frosting – always a favorite.
There’s some serious artwork going on here…by clients, siblings and staff kids alike.
So fun when staff bring their young children in – their eyes light up at a classroom filled with toys!
There’s time for jumping…and relaxing.
And it’s a perfect time to welcome new members into the NSSA family!
Happy Holidays and see you next year!
The NSSA Parent Association elves showed up on Friday with pizza, staff gifts, and a wonderful guitar player to serenade us during a generous holiday luncheon.
Teachers and students had some recreation time…
There was dancing and playing….
Some quiet moments…
And general good cheer.
Thank you so much to the NSSA Parent Association for their generosity.
Happy Holidays, everyone!
Once a year we invite siblings and families to join students at the Martin C. Barell School for a day of fun and activities. This year was a packed house! The big bouncy house and slide in the backyard was a hit, the playground was bustling with kids of all ages, and the classrooms were set up for arts & crafts when a little quiet time was needed. It was also Luau Day, which made for an even more festive atmosphere!
Brothers A & D slide together.
Beautiful sisters.
Proud big brother.
Luau Twins and Sister.
Look how sweet J is helping her big brother do his craft.
Cousins are the new siblings.
Could these brothers be any cuter?
Love it when everyone gets into the “spirit” of Spirit Week!
Roslyn High School senior and NSSA Consultation student Jason hosted a screening of the documentary “Jason Harris: The Voice of Autism” this morning for NSSA staff, clients and students. The film shares Jason’s education journey from his initial early diagnosis at the age of 20 months and the success that applied behavior analysis has afforded him. He introduced the film very eloquently and then asked for quiet and for the lights to go down.
Afterwards, Jason fielded questions from the audience. With his confident speaking manner and ease in answering all questions, he held his audience in rapt attention.
The session ended with much applause and congratulations for a job well done.
We’ve really enjoyed having Jason spend his summer session here with us and we’ll miss his smiling face here at Barell every day. Just last week we got to share in his pride at passing his road test! Jason, we wish you much success in your senior year in high school.
On Friday, May 1, students at Smithtown High School East transformed their cafeteria into an under-the-sea wonderland for the NSSA Spring Dance.
Barell students and NSSA Adult Service clients dressed up in their springtime finery…some teacher “dates” were surprised with floral corsages (so sweet!).
Smithtown students provided and served pizza, salads and beverages, and boogied with our students and clients on the dance floor. There was even a photo-booth set up complete with fun props!
Everyone had a blast dancing, singing, eating, laughing.
Thanks again to Smithtown High School East for inviting our students and clients and for being such great hosts. Thanks also to NSSA’s Stacey Agosta for coordinating the event.
Today we had a visit from 14-year-old Carley Schor, the founder of Carley’s Kicks for Cure. She creates art on white canvas sneakers like Converse high or low tops, Vans or Superga’s.
Super cute, right? She does designs like emojis, sports teams, graffiti, and much more!
When Carley decorated the first pair of sneakers with her original art, she felt she should share them with everyone. So she and her parents came up with the idea to make “kicks” for other people and donate a portion of the sales to a charity. So that’s what they did. Carley chose to give half the money she raises to Autism charities.
Why Autism? Carley is friends with one of the students here at the Martin C. Barell School. She sees his struggles with Autism everyday and would do anything for him. So today Carley came to visit the school to see her friend and to present our students with six brand new iPads purchased with money she raised by selling her art sneakers. What a great gift Carley! Not just the iPads, but for caring about our students.
You can buy Carley’s amazing sneakers and help a good cause at the same time, by visiting her website at http://www.carleyskicksforcure.com/
Smithtown High School East’s cafeteria was hopping last week at NSSA’s 5th Annual Holiday Dance.
Barell and NSSA students and adult clients over the age of 13 were invited to join Smithtown high school students for a rocking good time in a club-like atmosphere complete with disco lights and DJ Matt Figuccio.
New friends were made….
Longtime friends were reunited…
And while for some it’s all about that bass….
For others it’s about bustin’ their moves on the dance floor!
In all, everyone had a great time. Thank you to Smithtown High School East for once again hosting the event at their school, and to Stacey Agosta and NSSA staff for volunteering to make it a special night for the kids.