The Martin C. Barell School

The Martin C. Barell School, operated by Nassau Suffolk Services for Autism (NSSA), provides a specialized, full-day, twelve-month program specifically designed for school-age children with autism, ages five to twenty-one. With a maximum enrollment of only twenty-five students and an exceptional instructor-to-student ratio of 1 to 1.5, the school offers an intensely individualized learning environment where each student's unique needs are the primary focus.

The curriculum is highly structured and rooted in the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). Each student follows a personalized program with behaviorally defined, measurable goals that cover pre-academic and academic skills, communication, recreation, socialization, and daily living skills. Because progress is reviewed regularly, teaching procedures are adapted immediately to meet the evolving needs of the student, ensuring continuous developmental support.

Learning extends beyond the classroom, as instruction takes place in the home and community settings to help students generalize their skills in real-world environments. A cornerstone of the Barell School approach is the integration of families; parents are considered essential partners and receive extensive training in behavioral theory and teaching techniques to reinforce their child's progress outside of school hours.