ThinkDIFFERENTLY is a call to action, established in 2015 by former County Executive Marc Molinaro, to create a supportive and welcoming environment for those living with special needs.   We have been inspired by the community response! This website is designed to be a starting point to find the services and connections you and your family need.

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ThinkDIFFERENTLY EVENTS

First Responder Autism Trainings

First Responder Autism Training – Friday, October 13th

It is important that first responders, law enforcement, resource officers, criminal justice professionals, security personnel and other public-facing positions be educated in recognizing Autism and best practices in interacting with this special needs demographic to ensure the best outcomes for all involved.

 

How to Respond to First Responders **Virtual Training** – Tuesday, October 10th

It is equally important that our ASD community knows how to respond to First Responders when reaching out for help. This session, given by veterans of fire and law enforcement, who also have children on the spectrum, will discuss how specific incidents are handled and what our ASD individuals can do to help bridge the gap with safety and communication techniques.  This will be a VIRTUAL TRAINING given via Microsoft Teams.

 

First Responder Autism Training PDF

How to Respond to First Responders PDF

See more details.

Community Calendar ( List View )

  • NY ABLE Presentation *Virtual* September 21, 2023  6:00 pm - 7:30 pm Zoom Presentation

    Taconic Resources for Independence, Inc. | NYS Comptroller's Office

    Registration can be accessed through by clicking or scanning the QR code on the attached flyer.

    The Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Account program is a powerful tool for individuals with disabilities and their families.

    Eligibility for certain services and supports are often bound by resource limits for individuals with disabilities. An ABLE account allows individuals and their families to save beyond those resource limits, promoting access to a more independent life.

    We encourage every person interested in learning more to attend one of our three presentations.

    ASL Interpreter available by request. Please contact Sarah Drake at s.drake@taconicresources.org at least two weeks in advance.


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    See more details

Community Calendar ( Monthly View )

September 2023

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  • Open Sensory Gym - Orange County
  • TOPSoccer - Special Needs Soccer
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  • Sensory Stepping Stones 3rd Annual Family Fun Day
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  • NY ABLE Presentation *Virtual*
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  • TOPSoccer - Special Needs Soccer
  • Dance forever | Rythm Works Hip-Hop Dance Program
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  • Taconic Resources for Independence- SSI & SSDI While Working Virtual Workshop
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  • NY ABLE Presentation *Virtual*
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  • Staff Assistant Experience Weekend Connection
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  • Staff Assistant Experience Weekend Connection
  • TOPSoccer - Special Needs Soccer
  • Dance forever | Rythm Works Hip-Hop Dance Program
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  • Staff Assistant Experience Weekend Connection
  • Marist Best Buddies Fall Event #1
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  • Transition Planning Workshop - IEP or 504
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  • NY ABLE Presentation *In Person*
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  • Out of the Darkness Community Walk
  • TOPSoccer - Special Needs Soccer
  • Dance forever | Rythm Works Hip-Hop Dance Program

ThinkDIFFERENTLY Moments

Inspired Thinkers

ThinkDIFFERENTLY Moments highlight the great work happening in our community.

Cornell Cooperative Extension’s Flourishing Farmers 4H event held 4/2/2023

“Thank you both for such a wonderful event today.  I love that you have made it possible for children of [ …Read More ]

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Inspired Thinkers

ThinkDIFFERENTLY Moments highlight the great work happening in our community.

Dutchess County ThinkDIFFERENTLY visits Fit & Fun Playscapes, LLC

Dana Hopkins and Mara Santiago of Dutchess County ThinkDIFFERENTLY visited Fit & Fun Playscapes, LLC to learn more about their [ …Read More ]

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Inspired Thinkers

ThinkDIFFERENTLY Moments highlight the great work happening in our community.

Spectrum News: Differently abled people find support with ThinkDIFFERENTLY

In December, Spectrum News interviewed Dana Hopkins, All Abilities Program Director for Dutchess County at the 6th Annual ThinkDIFFERENTLY Conference held at the [ …Read More ]

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Inspired Thinkers

ThinkDIFFERENTLY Moments highlight the great work happening in our community.

Eagle Scout Project

Ryan Lugo, a John Jay High School student, recently completed his Eagle scout project! Ryan planted a garden and built [ …Read More ]

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Inspired Thinkers

ThinkDIFFERENTLY Moments highlight the great work happening in our community.

100 Cups of Coffee

Chief of Police, Thomas Pape attended Dutchess County’s 100 Cups of Coffee at Taconic Resources for Independence and was inspired [ …Read More ]

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Inspired Thinkers

ThinkDIFFERENTLY Moments highlight the great work happening in our community.

Verplanck Garden Club

Verplanck Garden Club at Stony Kill Farm’s Environmental and Education Center in Wappingers Falls, NY have been maintaining the Special [ …Read More ]

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Inspired Thinkers

ThinkDIFFERENTLY Moments highlight the great work happening in our community.

Dr.  Joseph Bonanno receives award.

Dr Joseph Bonanno the Medical Director for both OPWDD Taconic Region and Arc of Dutchess was honored for his outstanding [ …Read More ]

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Inspired Thinkers

ThinkDIFFERENTLY Moments highlight the great work happening in our community.

Coach Vincent and Jonathan “Superman” Brunot

Coach Vincent Del-Cid  is a CPA and has previously worked for JP Morgan.  Prior to meeting Jonathan “Superman” Brunot, he had [ …Read More ]

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Inspired Thinkers

ThinkDIFFERENTLY Moments highlight the great work happening in our community.

Youth Soft Skills Empowerment & Hudson Cadillac

Emanuel Cordero, a vocational coordinator from  Youth Soft Skills Empowerment (YSSE) (left) met with Mike Mullaney, Dealer Principal (right) from [ …Read More ]

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Inspired Thinkers

ThinkDIFFERENTLY Moments highlight the great work happening in our community.

Carnival Lion for the 2017 ThinkDIFFERENTLY Picnic

Elanor DeMan, a Roosevelt High School student and her father, Jayson DeMan created this fantastic ‘Carnival Lion’ as a bean [ …Read More ]

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Inspired Thinkers

ThinkDIFFERENTLY Moments highlight the great work happening in our community.

Red Hook Library Creates “All Abilities Program Series”

Red Hook Public Library has created an All Abilities Program Series for families with special needs to gather and enjoy. The [ …Read More ]

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Inspired Thinkers

ThinkDIFFERENTLY Moments highlight the great work happening in our community.

Universal Park Equipment

Congratulations to Sidney Scoralick, James Ryan and Ulises Olmedo. Special thanks to  their teacher Kimberly Sweck, Arlington High School, Teacher-Engineering and Cameron Tuller, a junior at the time, who helped  the team with the physical construction of the project. 

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