City Council Member Rita Joseph and school administrators were present on Thursday, Sept. 4, for the unveiling of an AIMS school at the annex to P.S. 6 on Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn.

The AIMS school is the first of its kind in Central Brooklyn.

The AIMS program (Acquisition, Integration, Meaningful Communication, and Social Skills) is a specialized early childhood initiative within New York City Public Schools designed for autistic students in kindergarten through second grade. It operates in select schools across districts.

The AIMS school, at the annex to P.S. 6, is the vision of Joseph, the Haitian-born representative for the 40th Council District in Brooklyn, where the school is located, and who is also the chair of the Education Committee in the City Council.

“I’m proud to welcome the opening of the historic AIMS program right here in Flatbush,” Joseph, a former public school teacher in Brooklyn, told Caribbean Life exclusively.

“Every child deserves the opportunity to learn in an environment that meets their unique needs, and AIMS is a perfect step forward in ensuring true equity for our students,” she added. “With small class sizes, individualized supports, and a focus on communication and daily living skills, this program will open doors for special education students to thrive both inside and outside of the classroom.

“This is the kind of investment in our children’s future that strengthens our entire community,” Joseph continued.

Superintendent Lindsay Shenean Lindsay said she was also “proud to celebrate the opening of P.S. 6, our all-inclusive model school here in Central Brooklyn.

“It is essential that families have access to high-quality schools in their neighborhoods that meet the diverse needs of their children, while also having the freedom to choose the educational environment that best supports them,” she said.

Lindsay said the launch of AIMS in District 17 “reflects the kind of support our families both need and deserve.

“I am deeply grateful for the leadership of New York City Public Schools and the steadfast partnership of City Council Education Chair Rita Joseph in bringing this vision to life,” she added. “Together, we are ensuring that our children not only have opportunities, but also the tools to truly shine.”

Rose Graham, the Jamaican-born community school district director of attendance and community affairs in Central Brooklyn, said she was “grateful to have been in attendance for the opening and introduction of AIMS to Central Brooklyn.

“This marked the beginning of a new chapter focused on nurturing, educating, and empowering our youngest learners,” she said. “A special and sincere thank you to Councilmember and Education Chair, the Hon. Rita Joseph. Your unwavering vision, leadership, and dedication to early childhood education have been instrumental in bringing this dream to life.

“It is because of champions like you that communities like Central Brooklyn gain access to the resources, support, and opportunities our children so richly deserve,” Graham added. “Thank you for believing in the power of early education and for helping us plant the seeds of success for generations to come.”

Judith Marius, the Haitian-born assistant principal, Norma Adams Clemons Academy at P.S. 6, said: “At the Inclusive Early Childhood Center, we welcome and celebrate all learners.”

She said the programs include General Education 3K and Pre-K, Special education 3K and PreK, and two Kindergarten AIMS classes.

“We provide a full range of related services,” said Marius, stating that they include speech, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and all mandated Individualized Educational Plan (IEP) supports, “to meet the needs of every child.

“As the first community school to offer an inclusive environment for our youngest learners, we take pride in creating classrooms where students of all abilities learn, grow, and thrive together,” she added.

P.S. 6 is under the leadership of principal Dr. Sharon Porter.

Graham said key features of the AIMS program are small class size, instructional approach, curriculum tools and therapeutic environment.

She said each classroom serves up to six students, supported by a special education teacher, a speech-language pathologist, and a paraprofessional.

Graham said the program uses Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and Verbal Behavior (VB) strategies to build communication, social, and academic skills.

She said instruction is guided by the Assessment of Basic Language and Learning Skills (ABLLS), tailored to each student’s IEP.

In addition, Graham said classrooms are “sensory-friendly” and include visual schedules, communication supports and collaborative services, like speech, occupational, and physical therapy.

“The AIMS program is designed to give young autistic learners a strong foundation for success in school and beyond,” she said