Rebecca School is an independent private day school in

New York City New York, often called New York City or NYC, is the most populous city in the United States. With a 2020 population of 8,804,190 distributed over , New York City is also the most densely populated major city in the Un ...

that specializes in teaching children ages four to twenty-one who have a range of neurodevelopmental disorders, including

autism spectrum disorder The autism spectrum, often referred to as just autism or in the context of a professional diagnosis autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or autism spectrum condition (ASC), is a neurodevelopmental condition (or conditions) characterized by difficulti ...

(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 Stanley Greenspan (June 1, 1941 – April 27, 2010) was a clinical professor of Psychiatry, Behavioral Science, and Pediatrics at George Washington University Medical School and a practicing child psychiatrist. He was best known for developing th ...

, M.D., a child psychiatrist and specialist in autism education who died in 2010. 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.Braff, Carolyn (2008-11-06)
"A New Approach to Special Needs" ''West Side Spirit''
Retrieved February 16, 2011. 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

External links

Official Rebecca School website

Official Dr. Stanley Greenspan website

Official MetSchools, LLC website
{{authority control Autism-related organizations in the United States Private elementary schools in Manhattan Private high schools in Manhattan Private middle schools in Manhattan Schools for people on the autistic spectrum Special schools in the United States Educational institutions established in 2006 2006 establishments in New York City For profit schools in Manhattan