Rebecca School is an independent private day school in New York City that specializes in teaching children ages four to twenty-one who have a range of neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The school was founded in 2006 and uses a special teaching method known as Floortime/DIR (Developmental, Individual-difference, Relationship-based) developed by Stanley Greenspan, M.D., a child psychiatrist and specialist in autism education who died in 2010.[2] Greenspan's method was a change from the more traditional methods that sought to change behavior through conditioning using rewards and punishments. His method focuses on children's ability to build relationships. Rebecca School's space and facilities on East 30th Street were specially designed for the needs of autistic and special needs children, based on Dr. Greenspan's ideas. The school utilizes not only teachers who are trained to work with special needs students, but also social workers who work with the families of the students.[3]
| Rebecca School | |
|---|---|
 The Rebecca School Logo (2006-Present) | |
| Location | |
 | |
40 East 30th Street, between Park Avenue & Madison Avenue New York, New York | |
| Coordinates | 40°44′41″N 73°59′01″W / 40.7448°N 73.9837°W |
| Information | |
| Type | Independent private school Special education |
| Established | 2006 |
| Director | Tina McCourt[1] |
| Grades | Pre-K-12 |
| Website | www.rebeccaschool.org |
Rebecca School is one of a number of independent private schools in New York City that are owned by MetSchools, Inc., which was founded by Michael C. Koffler. Other schools run by the organization include Williamsburg Northside, Aaron School, and Montclare Children’s School.
Rebecca School also serves as a case study for Dr. Stanley Greenspan and Dr. Gil Tippy's book, Respecting Autism, released by MetSchools Publishing in 2011.
References
edit- ^ "[1]". Rebecca School. Retrieved 2011-03-15.
- ^ Brown, Emma (2010-04-29). "Stanley I. Greenspan, 68; expert on infant development." The Washington Post[dead link]. Retrieved February 16, 2011.
- ^ Braff, Carolyn (2008-11-06). "A New Approach to Special Needs" West Side Spirit. Retrieved February 16, 2011.