Developmental Disabilities Institute

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Smithtown, NY
Developmental Disabilities Institute

We help children and adults with autism and other developmental disabilities experience personal growth and fulfillment.

For more than 60 years, Developmental Disabilities Institute (DDI) has provided compassionate personal care to meet the emotional, educational, therapeutic, and vocational needs of children and adults with autism and other developmental disabilities. Founded by parents of children with developmental disabilities, DDI has grown into a dynamic, nonprofit, multi-site agency serving more than 1600 children and adults in our care each day. The parental influence continues with several of our board members being mothers and fathers of the people we serve. DDI recognizes that each person in our care has unique needs and deserves every opportunity to live a rich and meaningful life. Over six decades, we have built a strong reputation for providing exceptional services for all people in our programs, and in particular those who present with the most significant challenges. With a workforce made up of people inspired by purpose®, DDI provides the highest standards of individualized services from expertly trained, caring, and competent staff. For more information, visit www.ddiny.org.

03/14/2026

Awareness matters, but funding is critical. The I/DD community and its dedicated workforce rely on stable, sustained funding to ensure uninterrupted, high-quality care. Without it, essential services are at risk.

We must continue to speak up for those who cannot always advocate for themselves. Together, we can protect services, strengthen the workforce, and invest in the people who depend on them.

📣 Fill out this form to urge your legislators to prioritize increased funding today: https://bit.ly/4cav5wG

03/13/2026

We were out in full force this morning! 📢 DDI rallied to amplify a vital message: DSPs are skilled professionals who deserve livable wages. Huge thanks to Senator Monica R. Martinez, Assemblywoman Jodi Giglio, and Bob Policastro (Angela's House) for your continued support and for taking action to fund this essential workforce and the people in their care.

03/12/2026

Ms. Francesca’s class has been watching their pumpkin decompose and sprout right back up from the soil! They are having so much fun tending to the new plants and can’t wait to get them into the garden this spring!

03/11/2026

Participants in our Adult Residential Without Walls program hit all the right notes at their recent karaoke party.🎤People from several houses came together to show off their singing skills and enjoy some time together. This event was a perfect way to connect with peers and celebrate through song🎶.

03/08/2026

Today is International Women's Day, which celebrates the achievements of women and advances the call for gender equality. We are proud to introduce Yasmine! She is the only female player on the basketball team 🏀—breaking barriers and representing women everywhere with her determination and talent. Let's hear it for Yasmine!! 🎉

03/06/2026

As we celebrate , join us in recognizing the heart of ❤️—Our Staff!⭐Their tireless hard work, commitment, and creativity are what keep us soaring. We are endlessly grateful for the passion they bring every day to support the children and adults in their care.

03/05/2026

Oh, the Places You’ll Go (and the Obstacles You’ll Jump!). Students from the Children's Day Program took on a Green Eggs and Ham Obstacle Course and Ring Toss today in celebration of Dr. Seuss Week / Read Across America Day! Lots of balance, high energy, and a ton of Seussian spirit.✨🎉

03/04/2026

🎙️Episode 7 of the [EYE] on Autism Podcast -- brought to you by DDI has dropped.

During Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, host Dr. Michael Romas speaks with DDI Board Chairman Joseph W. Schmidt, ESQ. and DDI Assistant Residential Manager Bankole Olaofe on the importance of raising awareness for those living with autism and other developmental disabilities.

Listen to Episode 7 now on:

✔️Spotify - https://bit.ly/4b8aS8I
✔️YouTube - https://bit.ly/3MEMK5u
✔️Apple Podcasts - https://apple.co/46AWnca
✔️Our website - https://bit.ly/483U6az

03/02/2026

March begins Women's History Month! We are pleased to highlight talented women from the Children's Residential Program administrative team. When a call went out for blankets for veterans in Stony Brook, these ladies were happy to get involved and got right to work. During lunch breaks, they taught each other new stitches and even got together virtually outside of work to practice their skills. They are a testament to hardworking women everywhere, taking time together to give back to their community.

03/01/2026

March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month! 🧡 Today, we celebrate the strength and accomplishments of our incredible students and participants. Together, we’re breaking down barriers and building a more inclusive community — today and every day.

02/27/2026

Students at the Children's Day Program in Huntington recently celebrated the Lunar New Year. As part of their Art curriculum, students worked together to construct and decorate a traditional ceremonial dragon. They painted scales and assembled the dragon’s body from individual sections. The festivities concluded with a parade where students proudly walked the dragon, and showcased their handmade paper fans and lanterns—all accompanied by the playing of bells and drums.

Address

99 Hollywood Drive
Smithtown, NY
11787

Website

http://ddiny.org/

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Our Story

Developmental Disabilities Institute (DDI) was founded in 1961, to address the special needs of children with Autism and other developmental disabilities, and provide therapeutic intervention. Today, DDI is a non-profit, multi-site agency serving over 1,500 children and adults with autism and related disorders, providing educational, residential, day habilitation and vocational services across Long Island, NY. DDI’s educational, residential day habilitation and vocational offerings are as diverse as the people we serve. Due to this, we have grown to include 5 main campuses located in Smithtown, Huntington, Medford, Riverhead and Ronkonkoma, NY, as well as 30 residential and day habilitation sites.

Through almost 60 years of sustained effort, DDI has become widely known in our area. Today, we are the largest provider of services and programs for children and adults with autism on Long Island. The goal of our agency is to recognize the needs of each individual while maintaining the highest standards of teaching and training for our children, their families, and our staff. DDI prides itself on being in the forefront of the most effective methods in use today for the treatment of autism and related disorders.

Our Purpose: “We help children and adults with autism and other developmental disabilities experience personal growth and fulfillment.”