Developmental Disability and Early Childhood Services
Staten Island Mental Health Society, a division of Richmond University Medical Center provides families with access to developmental disability and early childhood services. This is made possible thanks to our merger with Staten Island Mental Health Society programs and services for children and families, which became a fully integrated division of our hospital on January 1, 2019. Families seeking these resources can find the help they need thanks to our extensive behavioral health network.
PLEASE NOTE: In the event of a psychiatric emergency, call 9-1-1.
Clinical Services
Diagnostic evaluation is an important first step to connecting you with the right resources and support. These assessments provide information about a person’s level of cognitive, academic, social-adaptive, and emotional functioning. We work holistically with people of all ages. Our assessments are multi-disciplinary, capturing multiple areas of functioning, strengths, and disability.
Evaluation and clinical services are provided to individuals with developmental disabilities and to caregivers and supporters deemed necessary to maintain the effectiveness of the treatment, enable the individual to remain in his or her current residential setting, and who enhance the individual’s quality of life. We collaborate with schools, other agencies, and clinicians to make recommendations for treatment.
Services provided at the main clinic or a satellite site by appropriately licensed/certified practitioners may include:
- Physical therapy
- Occupational therapy
- Psychology
- Speech and language pathology
- Social work
The full complement of services offers comprehensive diagnosis, treatment, counseling, speech/language/occupational therapies, supportive services, preschool inclusion classes at Head Start, and programs for children with autism spectrum disorders, as well as specialized services for adults and parents.
Multi-disciplinary services are available for persons of all ages challenged with developmental, intellectual, autism, or neurological disabilities. Follow-up and advocacy services are provided, and Medicaid, Medicare, and some third-party insurance are accepted.
Clinical Services are offered at the Elizabeth W. Pouch Center for Special People, located at657 Castleton Avenue, Staten Island, NY 10301.
To learn more or schedule an appointment, please call (718)-448-9775.
Early Childhood Mental Health Services and Programs
Significant mental health problems can occur in young children from birth to 5 years of age. In some cases, these problems can have serious consequences for early learning, social competence, and lifelong physical health.
Children can show clear characteristics of anxiety disorders, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, conduct disorder, depression, posttraumatic stress disorder, and neurodevelopmental disabilities, such as autism, at a very early age. Young children respond to and process emotional experiences and traumatic events in ways that are very different from older children and adults. Consequently, diagnosis in early childhood can be even more difficult than it is in adults.
The Early Childhood Mental Health Program provides treatment for infants to children 5 years of age and their families. Our expert clinical staff uses evidence-based and trauma-focused therapies to develop personalized treatments to optimize positive outcomes.
Services include:
- Comprehensive preschool evaluations and related services
- Early childhood mental health services
- Parent-infant dyadic therapy
- Full-day integrated preschool classrooms in a Head Start setting for children 3 to 4 years old
TIPS: Training In Parenting Skills
Families in which one or both parents are developmentally challenged meet weekly for group education and discussion, counseling, and social activities to help them develop better family and parenting skills, with the added benefit of long-lasting friendships.
The TIPS program is also offered at the Elizabeth W. Pouch Center for Special People.
For more information, please call (718)-448-9775.
Serving the Community
Staten Island Mental Health Society at Richmond University Medical Center is dedicated to providing our community with quality behavioral health services. To learn more about these offerings or our other programs, contact us today.
