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enabling children and adults with intellectual and developmental challenges to lead full, meaningful lives.
educating and supporting new yorkers for almost 100 years
Individualized programs to meet the needs for children of all abilities.

By working with families and communities, we help enable children and adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and intellectual/developmental disabilities to lead full, meaningful lives that include a chance to work and contribute. Everyone has valuable talents and abilities. And everyone matters. We seek to transform the way communities and societies understand, relate to, and support citizens with intellectual and developmental disabilities. By honoring diversity in values, heritages, abilities, and interests, we help to ensure that people with disabilities enjoy the same rights and opportunities as everyone else. Learn More

What we do

Programs

The Shield Institute provides New York State contracted services to preschool children, ages 3-5, school age children ages 5 – 21, and to adults with lifelong disabilities, 21 years of age and older. Our programs are highly individualized to meet the unique developmental learning and social needs for people of all abilities.

Unique Services

The Shield Institute is proud of its reputation to develop programs in response to recognized needs from our students, the people in our programs and their families. Our grants and unique programs provide a focus on specialized services that are needed.

Pure Vision Arts (PVA)

This unique studio is Manhattan’s first specialized art studio and exhibition space for artists with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and intellectual/developmental disabilities. PVA provides studio space, art materials, exhibition opportunities, and career development for beginning, emerging and established artists. Pure Vision Arts also serves as a resource and consultation center for artists, educators, art collectors and curators. purevisionarts.org