A Unique Approach: How The Rebecca School Champions Dignity, Communication & Choice | Tina McCourt
For students with autism and other neurodevelopmental differences, finding the right school environment can make all the difference. Let's talk about: 🟡 Classrooms that respect individuality. 🟡 Sensory integration that empowers self-regulation. 🟡 Programs designed to build real communication and connection. In this insightful episode,Tina McCourt, joins host Tracey Spencer Walsh to discuss how the school’s unique approach, grounded in the DIR/Floortime model, is transforming lives. From founding one of the first DIR-based schools in NYC to expanding services into Westchester, Tina has spent over 30 years advocating for dignity, understanding, and real choice in special education. With passion and clarity, Tina and Tracey unpack the barriers families face, especially within the NYC DOE system, and what it truly means to center student needs and parent voices in educational planning. "Brains develop over time. The window doesn’t close. Our goal is to help every child move forward developmentally by meeting them where they are, respecting who they are, and empowering them to thrive." – Tina McCourt This conversation is essential listening for any parent, educator, or advocate navigating the special education system. If you’ve ever felt like the system doesn’t truly “see” your child, this episode offers hope and a vision for what’s possible
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Tina McCourt is the Executive Director of The Rebecca School, a therapeutic day school in New York City and Mount Vernon dedicated to serving students ages 3 to 21 with neurodevelopmental delays in relating and communicating, including autism spectrum disorder. With over 30 years in special education, Tina began her career as a social worker and was deeply inspired by Dr. Stanley Greenspan and the DIR/Floortime approach, which became the foundation of her work and the guiding framework at the Rebecca School.
Under her leadership, The Rebecca School has grown from a pioneering Manhattan program to a two-campus institution known for individualized learning, strong family partnerships, and a commitment to respectful, developmentally informed education. Tina is a tireless advocate for student dignity, parent choice, and systemic change within special education.
