DDI is thrilled we are in our 60th Anniversary year! We are proud of our historic start in 1961 by a small group of parents determined to find a better way to address the special education and therapeutic needs of their children. They came together to form The Suffolk Center for Emotionally Disturbed Children. These original parents chipped in for the teachers’ payroll, they offered classes in their own basements, they held board meetings in their living rooms! It was an exciting time!
Over the years, the program evolved and enrollment grew. Six decades later, DDI has emerged as a leader in our field while remaining deeply connected to our roots.
We have embarked on a project to collect as many memories as we can from the past six decades, and we are excited to share them with you.
Please enjoy the memory sent in by:
Annie Ayoub
I came across some pictures taken at DDI’s Young Autism Program (now named the Early Childhood Services Program), and they brought me fond memories of our experience there.
This little guy, Joseph Ayoub, had a full day of instruction five times a week. A very intense program!
He was 2 1/2, and I put him on a bus every day! His behaviors didn't come out until about 3 1/2 years old, so at this time, I was told that he had the biggest workbook out of all the kids there!
They couldn't keep up with him academically!
If you have a memory you would like to share, we are compiling memories digitally here: https://forms.gle/5hxbhH1NYUoL54Lz6
You can also mail any memories to: 99 Hollywood Drive, Smithtown, NY, 11787. Attn: Communications Department.