ACDS Celebrates 60th Anniversary
ACDS Celebrates 60th Anniversary
PLAINVIEW, NEW YORK, January 5, 2026
Since its inception in 1966, ACDS, Inc., has been helping those living with developmental disabilities develop to their fullest potential. ACDS was founded by a group of parents on Long Island who were seeking services for their young children with Down syndrome. We continue to be one of the foremost experts on Down syndrome and have expanded to meet the needs of children and adults with a diversity of developmental and learning challenges. Throughout the past sixty years, we have grown and evolved into a lifetime services agency that serves families of children and adults with a wide range of disabilities that include Down syndrome, Autism Spectrum Disorders, speech and communication delays, Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD), neuromuscular disorders, sensory processing dysfunction, visual and auditory impairments, and rare genetic conditions.
On Long Island, ACDS works with people from birth through adulthood and offers programs for entire families. ACDS currently serves more than 1,500 people through home based and clinical Early Intervention, preschool special education, respite and recreation programs for children, teens, and adults, Brokerage/Self Direction and Fiscal Intermediary Services, day habilitation, and eight supervised group homes and one supportive apartment. Mirroring the successful outcomes of its special education preschool on Long Island, ACDS has opened preschools for children with developmental disabilities ages three through five in Scarsdale and Pelham. ACDS has a strong future ahead!
The continuity of service that ACDS offers is one of the unique traits of the organization and allows us to help throughout the lifespan of the individuals we serve. Regardless of the program type or size, our services are designed with the individual in mind. All of our activities – educational, recreational, therapeutic, and social – focus on the unique characteristics and abilities of the person we are serving.
Where we are Today /Our Impact:
Since our founding almost 60 years ago, ACDS has grown and transformed in ways our founding families could scarcely have imagined. They would, however, be proud to note that the vision, compassion, and innovation they brought to our founding persist through six decades of remarkable growth.
We currently provide special education and related services to nearly 350 children on Long Island, including infants and toddlers through center, clinic and home-based Early Intervention, preschoolers, both with and without IEP’s, though our integrated program, and with our inclusive daycare program. In Westchester, our Pelham and Scarsdale sites deliver preschool special education services to more than 300 children.
ACDS’s Day Habilitation Program offers individuals who are aging out of their educational placement the opportunity to partake in an Adult Day Program that enables them to volunteer in their community. Their days are both fun filled and rewarding. Participants volunteer at various sites in the community with the aim of ascertaining and increasing life skills, work readiness skills and social skills. Individuals also go on a Community Outing or trip each week. They enjoy practicing their skills in a variety of settings including in the Karaoke Café, lounge, iPad room and by staying active doing Zumba, yoga and movement activities. The growing success of our Day Habilitation Program led to the opening of a second location in Merrick in 2019, expanding access and opportunities for the individuals we serve.
After opening our first Individual Residential Alternative (group home) in 2000, our Residential Services now support 55 adults across eight group homes and one supportive apartment, offering a safe and nurturing living environment tailored to individual needs. The agency’s group homes enable the residents we serve to transition from their parents’ homes to live more independently as most young adults do. The staff at the group homes help residents facilitate an independent life, providing supervision and support to assist them in increasing their independence in all areas of their daily life. In addition, staff also assist residents with cultivating stimulating activities, promoting bonds with their families and caregivers, overseeing medication, health and wellness, and providing opportunities to socialize and interact with their peers of all abilities.
ACDS has experienced tremendous growth in its Self-Direction program which empowers individuals with developmental disabilities to take greater control over their own lives. This person-centered approach allows participants and their families to design customized support plans that reflect their unique needs, preferences, and goals. The expansion of the program highlights ACDS's ongoing commitment to promoting independence, inclusion, and quality of life for the individuals it serves.
With the success of our one-week overnight respite program, Summer Adventure, in operation since 2007, we were pleased to add a second session – Spring Adventure Weekend. Over 3 fun-filled days packed with activities, time spent with new and old friends, exciting evening events and countless moments of laughter and smiles, our campers and staff created memories to last a lifetime.
Commencing in 1986, ACDS’s 5Plus after school recreation program started with a legislative grant. Through our 5Plus Respite and Recreation Program, we serve 250 children, teens, and adults, providing a wide range of engaging activities designed to support social development and enrichment. ACDS’s respite and recreation programs offer children, teens and adults with developmental and other disabilities, the opportunity to expand their interests while maintaining old friendships and making new ones. 5Plus offers participants a variety of programs throughout the year after school, in the evenings, on weekends and during vacation breaks. Programs include Saturday Recreation, Friday Night Drop In, Integrated Community Experiences, Tuesday Yoga, Art Classes, Money Skills, Canoeing, Sports Training Club, Summer Adventure, Cooking Class and Let’s Groove.
ACDS Foundation:
The mission of the ACDS Foundation, Inc. is to assist children and adults with developmental disabilities meet their highest potential through providing financial assistance to nonprofit organizations, such as ACDS, that are dedicated to (1) supporting and maximizing the quality of life, functional abilities, and physical and mental well-being of individuals with developmental disabilities and (2) providing educational, social and other resources and support to their families. The ACDS Foundation is an independent 501c3 that supports the work of the operating agency. Giving to ACDS is best accomplished through the ACDS Foundation.
As ACDS has grown, almost tripling in size since 2004, we have gotten fiscally stronger. With good governance and oversight from our Board of Directors, and with a strong management team and Finance Department, we continue to generate strong results. These results have enabled us to expand our services.
For more information about ACDS, Inc. or ACDS Foundation, please visit www.acds.org or contact Shari Prinstein at 516-933-4700 x2650 or sprinstein@acds.org.
