Here’s What the Center for Disability Services Wants All Parents to Know
By Alison Pfaff Times Union Story Studio
For parents raising a child with special needs or intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), few decisions carry more weight than finding the right educational environment. The search can be overwhelming, especially when balancing needs with goals. When a child’s needs exceed what a local school can offer, families must seek alternate placements on their own, often without a roadmap. But the right placement exists, and organizations like the Center for Disability Services have spent decades making sure families don’t have to navigate that search alone.
“The process of evaluations, meetings, and individualized planning can be complicated and overwhelming for families who may not be familiar with their educational rights, as well as procedures and regulations,” says Amy Ross,Deputy Executive Director, Education Services at the Center for Disability Services. “One of the biggest challenges is the limited availability of specialized programs. Many programs that provide the appropriate level of support operate at capacity and have waitlists.” That reality makes early action essential, giving families the best chance of securing the right placement at the right time.
The Center for Disability Services offers NYS-accredited educational programs for preschool and school-aged children until their 22nd birthday, purpose-built for students whose needs go beyond what a traditional school can provide. Assistive technology and communication devices are integrated into everyday classroom instruction. Both modified curriculums and differentiated instruction are approaches used to better meet the individual strengths, needs, and challenges of the students. And for children with complex medical needs, a skilled nursing team is present throughout the day.
“Our ability to provide nursing and therapeutic services on site has a significant positive impact on the educational experience of students with complex medical needs,” Ross explains. “It ensures that students’ health needs are closely monitored and addressed promptly, allowing them to remain safely in the classroom and engaged in learning.”
Two programs are central to The Center’s educational approach. The MOVE Program (Mobility Opportunities Via Experience) embeds mobility skill-building into everyday school activities, helping students with physical disabilities develop greater independence in sitting, standing, walking, and transitioning. The RAAVE Program (Responsibly Addressing Autism Via Education) provides dedicated classrooms for students on the autism spectrum, combining specialized instruction with technology and a focus on long-term independence and community participation.
For Jessica, a Capital Region mother, The Center has been a game changer. “The MOVE program was the best fit for my son,” she says. “The amount of therapies and specialized education he could receive were a huge draw for us.” The difference showed up quickly; her son found peers, discovered new ways to move and communicate, and developed new skills. “He has been able to try different seating and mobility devices which has given him a bodily independence he cannot get at home, which makes him more confident.”
Something that doesn’t always make it into the conversation about specialized education is the depth of relationship that develops between teachers and students over time. At The Center, teachers frequently work with the same students over multiple years, and that consistency shapes outcomes in ways that are hard to quantify but easy to see. “For many students, especially those with complex needs, strong relationships and trust with their teachers are essential,” says Ross. “When teachers work with students for multiple years, they gain a deeper understanding of each student’s strengths, challenges, learning styles, and individual needs.”
Jessica has seen the same dynamic play out in her son. “His growth, both socially and educationally, has been evident and steady to all who know him. He loves going to school.”
Another strength of The Center is what comes after the school years. As students grow older and transition out of educational programs, The Center stays in the picture, providing structured transitional support into adulthood. Day programs, community habilitation, residential support, and employment services all help adults with disabilities build lives on their own terms.
Summer brings its own opportunities. Camp Spectacular, run by certified educators and social workers, provides a therapeutic, joyful camp experience for children on the autism spectrum. Clover Patch Camp in Glenville, a fully accessible overnight and day camp for children and adults, is set to reopen for summer 2026, giving campers a chance to build friendships and try new things in a setting created just for them.
If there’s one thing families consistently wish they’d done differently, it’s that they’d started the search sooner. “Early planning is especially important because many specialized schools maintain waiting lists, and the application and evaluation process can take time,” says Ross. “This proactive approach helps ensure that each child is placed in the most appropriate setting for their individual needs and allows for a smoother transition when a placement becomes available.”
The Center’s People Services team exists to help families at any point in that process, whether a parent is just beginning to ask questions or is ready to move forward with enrollment.
At The Center for Disability Services, “Every child matters,” says Ross. “Families will find a caring community where staff partner closely with parents, celebrate each child’s strengths, and stand alongside them through challenges.”
Jessica couldn’t agree more. “The Center has been one of the best decisions we have made for our son.” If you’re exploring educational options for a child with special needs or IDD, the right time to start is now. Visit The Center’s website today, and discover how much is possible with the right team on your side.