Our Program is based on the simple but essential notion that children should be valued, motivated and challenged to learn. We have a number of beautiful locations in which to carryout this program. It includes a fully accessible 140 acre outdoor learning environment, as well as an imaginative indoor learning center, comfortable residences, and sophisticated therapeutic facilities that create a welcoming and stimulating place for children to explore, discover and grow.

This is a place where families can come and share in their child's development also.

The Center for Discovery offers programs to children ages 3-21 diagnosed with significant disabilities including autism, pervasive developmental disorders, cerebral palsy, mental retardation, neurological impairments and many other low incidence and syndromes. All of our students have mild to severe cognitive delays and most have significant language and social impairments. Approximately 40% of the children are ambulatory and the remaining are non-ambulatory. Our program, through our Article 28 Clinic, provides on-site medical, physical, and psychological support including primary medicine, primary dental, neurology, psychology, monthly psychiatric, podiatry, etc. Children participate in our program as community-based preschoolers ages 3 through 5, and as community-based and residentially based school age children ages 5 through 21.

The campus setting allows children to participate year round in seasonal, outdoor, nature-based lessons. An indoor, therapeutic swimming pool and a fully equipped, naturally lighted, gymnasium provide the children with dynamic space in which to move, have fun, learn and play. All classrooms are equipped with direct outdoor access, computers, swings or sensory integration equipment, a small kitchenette and large nature-viewing windows. Outdoor learning activities include paved walkways to mobility power wheelchair training and general physical conditioning; fishing and camping overnight in the lower Central Park, gardening in the accessible, raised gardens, animal husbandry on the central campus small animal farm; sleigh riding during the winter months; therapeutic horseback riding (Hippotherapy) in the indoor and/or outdoor rings; animal and plant identification and so much more. The campus is specifically designed with children in mind.

For more information please contact us at:

The Center for Discovery
Admissions Office
P.O. Box 840
Harris, NY 12742
(845) 707-8880
fax (845) 707-8926
admissions@sdtc.org