About Us
About Newmeadow
Newmeadow is an integrated preschool situated in upstate New York, dedicated to enhancing the lives of children, including those with autism and various special needs. Established in 1982 by Dr. Thomas and Donna Funiciello in Glenville, the school began with just 13 children and one classroom. Over the years, it has evolved into a vital resource for thousands of preschoolers with diverse special needs and abilities, serving families throughout the Capital Region.
For over 40 years, Newmeadow has worked to remain on top of the latest research and methods for working with all children. Newmeadow has developed a comprehensive program addressing autism through its Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Clinic. The ABA methodologies implemented at Newmeadow have positioned it as one of the leading programs in the area, with these techniques integrated across all classrooms and utilized for all disabilities (for further details, please visit Our Program).
Newmeadow currently operates in two locations, Clifton Park and Fort Edward.
The Clifton Park location, located at 23 Sitterly Road, was built in 2017 and in the summer of 2024, the Fort Edward location moved into a school building located on 12 Washington Street. Both facilities offer integrated classroom, self-contained classrooms, a dedicated ABA center, a speech center, an occupational and physical therapy room, and outdoor play spaces.
Our Mission
Our goal is to enhance the lives of children, including those with autism and other special needs, by equipping them for both learning and life through the implementation of Newmeadow’s Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) program.
This includes the use of self-contained and integrated classroom instruction along with all necessary support services. We strive to ensure that every child actively engages in observation, learning, and responding, with a strong focus on language, communication, social interaction, play skills, and fostering independence.
Our Vision
At Newmeadow, we hold the conviction that every child is entitled to receive the highest quality education to prepare them for life beyond the classroom. We view Newmeadow’s ABA Clinic as the essential pathway to this preparation and the cornerstone of our efforts on behalf of the children we support.
We advocate for a learning environment that promotes language acquisition, social skills development, and the significance of play, all within a nurturing and supportive atmosphere that values individual growth while encouraging participation in a broader social community. By utilizing Newmeadow ABA, we address all facets of a child's development to create a comprehensive program that facilitates optimal growth and progress, firmly believing that every child can, will, and does learn in their own distinctive manner.
Our Philosophy
The Newmeadow experience emphasizes active participation. Young children acquire knowledge through hands-on activities, and our staff adopts a practical approach to learning. Engaging activities capture children's interest and create an effective environment for education. Throughout the school day, there is a strong emphasis on enhancing speech and language development.
The Newmeadow setting offers numerous opportunities for verbal expression, utilizing techniques such as verbal modeling and sentence expansion. It is essential for children to build self-confidence alongside their language abilities, as being assured in their verbal skills is crucial. We prioritize fostering self-awareness and self-expression.
A multi-sensory approach, incorporating cooking, movement, art, music, and games, enables each child to engage fully with their language capabilities. Language use and self-confidence are nurtured through social interactions and play. Social development is woven into every aspect of our program. Children are encouraged to engage in cooperative play, participate in conversations, and take the initiative in leading group activities. We consistently promote sharing, turn-taking, and empathy towards others.
The development of concepts and overall achievement aligns with language growth. During small group sessions, a variety of materials are utilized to enhance skills in shape and color recognition, number concepts, letter recognition, and language understanding.
Fine motor skills are honed through manipulative toys such as puzzles, beads, and blocks, while activities like coloring, cutting, and printing support small muscle development.
Gross motor skills focus on body awareness, strength, endurance, coordination, and flexibility, with activities including walking, jogging, climbing, exercising, ball games, bike riding, and tumbling.
At Newmeadow, we understand the significance of addressing every facet of a child's development. The diverse components of our curriculum work in harmony to create a comprehensive program that supports optimal growth.
The Newmeadow approach cultivates an environment that enhances language skills, encourages positive attitudes, increases enjoyment in learning, and equips children for future educational challenges.