New York City Community School District 6

Established in 1921, the Shield Institute is a nonprofit organization that provides educational, clinical and family support services to more than 1,700 infants, children, adults and their families throughout New York City. It serves people with autism and other developmental disabilities. The organization is affiliated with the Jewish Board of Family and Children's Services. The Shield Institute offers a day care program that develops skills and abilities to promote cognitive, emotional, physical and social growth. It also offers a preschool special education program that includes multidisciplinary evaluations and related services to children between the ages of 3 and 5 in a child-focused classroom setting. In addition, the program includes classes that provide opportunities to learn and play with typically developing children. The institute is located in Bronx, N.Y.