Mary K. St. Mark knows first-hand the services and assistance offered by The Institutes of Applied Human Dynamics (IAHD), which was founded 55 years ago and has been in Tarrytown since 1987.

Her son, Michael, was born with mental retardation and mild autism. St. Mark discovered IAHD when Michael was seven years old. He’s now 51 and still benefitting from the programs run by the non-profit organization.

“Once I came to IAHD his behavior has changed tremendously. He used to have a lot of temper tantrums,” explained St. Mark, who is president of the Board of Directors of IAHD. “My desire is to give everyone else the opportunities Michael has had for 40 plus years.”

IAHD serves about 750 developmentally disabled individuals from birth to seniors. It has more than 450 adults in day programs, including about 130 in its Tarrytown location on Warren Avenue, and houses about 200 individuals in 23 residences in Westchester and the Bronx. Some of its Westchester residences are in Tarrytown, Pleasantville and Elmsford.

“We have good relationships with our neighbors,” said IAHD Executive Director Stanley Silverstein. “We don’t want to stand out. People hear about a group home and they think there will be people running in the streets. They think it will be contagious. We teach people how to integrate within the community.”

“There is a stigma that people have,” St. Mark said. “We refuse to have our group put down because of a disability. Unfortunately mental retardation has not been cured and there will always be a need for what we offer.”

St. Mark explained IAHD was started by five mothers with developmentally disabled children as a recreational program in the Bronx in conjunction with the American Red Cross.

“Five mothers had a need. Because of those five mothers, I think it’s a tremendous credit to what we have been able to do,” St. Mark said.

For children, IAHD programs include early intervention services, preschool programs and school programs, afterschool programs and Sunday family support programs. Services involve educational instruction, speech and language therapy, physical therapy, occupational therapy, counseling, visual education social services and evaluation. There is also a “Discovery Through Music and Art” program for visually impaired children.

For adults, IAHD’s Day Habilitation offers opportunities for adults to access community resources to help them became active members of their neighborhoods. Activities include exercise and fitness training, swimming, gardening, crafts, music and dance, and social communication.

Pre Vocational Services focus on providing vocational training with a structured environment. Training and support are offered and individuals receive a salary for their work. IAHD has work with many community programs and businesses, including Sleepy Hollow High School, the Tarrytown Beautification Committee and Sunnyside Flower Shop in Irvington.

“When a parent wants something we try to build a program around them,” Silverstein said. “We look for work opportunities.”

Another unique aspect of IAHD, which receives federal, state and local funding, is no individual is discriminated against because of their disability or financial condition.

“We have never terminated a person because of behavior or money. Our goal is that every person is to be served,” St. Mark said.

For further information on IAHD, visit www.iahdny.org or call (914) 220-4300.