Family Support Services & Respite Care
We're here to help. There’s always a way forward.
Respite Care for You and Your Loved One
Respite programs provide families with essential downtime, ensuring your loved one is engaged in enriching social experiences and supervised recreation.
Adult Respite Programs (21+)
Evening and weekend center-based programs in Holbrook (M-F 3:00-7:00 PM, weekends 10:00 AM-4:00 PM) offer recreational opportunities with peers.
Monthly themed recreational respite operates one Saturday or Sunday per month across multiple Brightway locations (10:00 AM-6:00 PM).
Respite Athletics Academy
An instructional and competitive sports program where participants learn fundamentals and compete against peers.
Each season ends with a celebration and a championship crowning. Programs meet M/W/F 4:00 PM -7:00 PM at our Smithtown campus.
Help When Difficulties Arise
Get consultation when challenging circumstances leave you needing a way forward.
Family Behavior Support Program
When the ability to keep your child at home is a challenge, our behavioral specialists provide short-term consultation. We develop strategies that work in your home environment—not just center-based settings.
Home & Community Services (Ages 5-21)
In-home special education instruction, therapy, behavior support, and parent training are available through CSE recommendations. Services include special education teachers, teacher assistants, behavioral support, speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and program coordination.
Find evidence-based information on diagnosis, treatment, advocacy, and navigating special education:
A Parent's Guide to Research
Primer on autism research, including a glossary, an overview of scientific research, and questions to ask about treatments
ViewAssociation for Science in Autism Treatment (ASAT)
Disseminates accurate, scientifically sound information about autism and its treatment
ViewAutism Society
Information on day-to-day issues, appropriate services across the lifespan, and the latest research
ViewAutism Speaks Tool Kits
Information for newly diagnosed families, advocacy, behavioral health treatments, and 40+ other topics
ViewCenter for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Overview of autism diagnosis, treatment, and current statistics
ViewNYSED Publications for Parents on Special Education
Navigating the special education process in New York
ViewOrganization for Autism Research (OAR)
Resources for families, educators, and clinical professionals
ViewTalk with a Brightway Team Member
Helping Your Whole Family Flourish
By supporting your loved one, we help open up more room for shared family adventures and sibling celebrations.
We provide comprehensive resources specifically for siblings:
Webinars & Education
Siblings Across the Lifespan webinar series
Planning for Your Family’s Future
Articles, Books, and Films
The Sibling Survival Guide: Indispensable Information for Brothers and Sisters of Adults with Disabilities (Edited by Don Meyer and Emily Hull)
Thicker Than Water: Essays by Adult Siblings of People with Disabilities by Rachel Simon
How to Talk So Kids Will Listen and Listen So Kids Will Talk by Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish
Edna’s Gift: How My Broken Sister Taught Me to Be Whole by Susan Rudnick
“Growing Up Alongside a Sibling With a Disability” by Keren Landman
“How Autism Shapes Sibling Relationships” by Emily Laber-Warren
“Strength in Diversity: Positive Impacts of Children with Disabilities” by Michelle R. Lodewyks
“Welcome to Holland” by Emily Perl Kingsley (often cited by parents of children with disabilities)
Wonder directed by Stephen Chbosky
Who Will Love Me by Kaleen Marshall
Riding the Bus with My Sister by Rachel Simon
My Dog Is As Smelly As Dirty Socks: And Other Funny Family Portraits by Hanoch Piven
The Good Egg by Jory John
For more children’s book recommendations from Sibshop Facilitators from across the
U.S. and Canada, visit Sibling Support Publications.
Future Planning Resources
Arc’s Center for Future Planning
Features free online tools for siblings and families to prepare for more empowering days ahead.
ViewCharting the Life Course
A framework and tools for people with disabilities and families to grow in their chosen direction.
ViewThe Sibling Support Project
A nationwide program dedicated to the dynamic challenges siblings of people with autism and other developmental disabilities encounter.
ViewSibling Leadership Network
Provides resources to help siblings advocate for their brother or sister with a disability.
ViewSiblings with a Mission
Serves and supports siblings and families of people with complex health conditions and developmental disabilities.
ViewSibs
A UK charity supporting those who have grown up with a sibling with autism or other developmental disabilities.
ViewSiblings Australia
An organization promoting better support for siblings of children and adults with disabilities.
ViewPodcasts
Once Upon a Gene podcast, “Sibling Support”
A Piece of Hope podcast “Live from SibShops!” produced by Appleseeds Behavioral Center in Georgia
Research
Several major sibling studies courtesy of the Sibling Leadership Network.
Resources for Grieving Siblings
Safe Crossings Foundation (to help children)
ViewThe Dougy Center – Supporting Grieving Siblings
ViewArmfuls of Time: The Psychological Experience of the Child With a Life-Threatening Illness by Barbara M. Sourkes (For parents/professionals)
ViewAnnie’s Hope Center for Grieving Kids
ViewThe Hospice Foundation
ViewWhat’s Your Grief?
ViewLoss of a Special Needs Sibling Facebook Group (for adult sibs)
ViewCompassionate Friends
ViewCompassionate Friends Facebook Group
ViewCrisis Text Line
serves anyone, in any type of crisis, providing access for free, 24/7. Text HOME to 741741 to reach a Crisis Counselor.
ViewSibling Leadership Network grief resources
ViewSibling Resources from the NY State DDPC
ViewOther Resources
Alicia Arenas TedX San Antonio talk: “Recognizing Glass Children”
Common Acronyms You'll Encounter
- AAC - Assistive Augmentative Communication
- ABA - Applied Behavior Analysis
- ADA - Americans with Disabilities Act
- ADDM - Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network
- ADHD - Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
- ADI - Autism Diagnostic Interview
- APE - Adaptive Physical Education
- ASD - Autism Spectrum Disorder
- BASC - Behavior Assessment System for Children
- BIP - Behavior Intervention Plan
- CDC - Centers for Disease Control
- DD - Developmental Disabilities
- DSM-V - Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (Fifth Edition)
- DSP - Direct Support Professional
- dx - Diagnosis
- EEG - Electroencephalogram
- EIBI - Early Intensive Behavioral Intervention
- FAPE - Free Appropriate Public Education
- FBA - Functional Behavioral Assessment
- FCT - Functional Communication Training
- ICF - Intermediate Care Facility
- IDEA - Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (2004)
- IEP - Individualized Education Program
- IFSP - Individualized Family Service Plan
- IRA - Individualized Residential Alternative
- LCSW - Licensed Clinical Social Worker
- LD - Learning Disabled
- LEA - Local Education Agency
- LFA - Low-functioning Autistic or Low-functioning Autism
- MDT - Multidisciplinary Team
- NET - Natural Environment Teaching
- NLP - National Language Paradigm
- NOS - Not Otherwise Specified
- NT - Neurotypical
- OCD - Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
- OT - Occupational Therapy or Occupational Therapist
- PBIS - Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports
- PDD - Pervasive Developmental Disorder
- PDD-NOS - Pervasive Developmental Disorder – Not Otherwise Specified
- PECS - Picture Exchange Communication System
- PLEP - Present Levels of Educational Performance
- PRT - Pivotal Response Training
- SAT - Student Assistance Team
- SCQ - Social Communication Questionnaire
- SD - Standard Deviation
- SEA - State Educational Agency