Thursday, October 1, 2026
For Marisa Damiano, advocacy began at home. Her son, Nicholas, now a second-grader at Deasy School, once struggled to express himself socially, despite understanding everything around him. He received speech and language services early on, later followed by occupational and physical therapy and counseling after he was diagnosed with autism at age 4.
As she navigated those challenges, Damiano said, she realized that many families like hers needed more support — and a stronger voice.
“I was never ashamed or embarrassed to vocalize the issues that my son has,” she said. “He has helped me to be a better mother, a better teacher and a better person for this community.”
That personal journey led her to help revive the Special Education Parent Teacher Association in the Glen Cove City School District — and brought her to Village Square on Tuesday, where she stood among families, advocates and officials at the city’s third annual Neurodiversity Strength Flag raising.
The ceremony, coordinated by Assembleyman Charles Lavine’s office and the City of Glen Cove, marked Neurodiversity Acceptance Month and highlighted a growing movement to recognize and celebrate neurological differences rather than stigmatize them.
For Damiano, the meaning of the flag was immediate and personal. “[It’s about] acceptance, and not looking at neurodiversity as a stigma,” she said. “That we’re all accepted. And that’s what makes us unique and special in our own way.”
The red and gold flag raised above Village Square was designed by Jericho resident Josh Mirsky, 33, and features a diamond-shaped field with an infinity symbol at its center — a representation of the broad spectrum of how people think, learn and behave.
Mirsky, who is on the autism spectrum, said the colors were deliberately chosen to stand out and challenge longstanding perceptions. “Red’s a power color. It represents immense inner strength,” he said. “Gold is first place, because we’re not treated as first-class citizens.”
The symbolism, he explained, reflects both the resilience of neurodivergent people and a push for equity and recognition. “It’s meant to be bold,” Mirsky said. “It’s meant to be almost in your face, because that’s the only way to make change.”
Now in its third year in Glen Cove, the flag-raising has grown from a local initiative into part of a broader statewide effort. This year marks the first time New York is lighting landmarks in the flag’s colors — red, white and gold — to recognize Neurodiversity Acceptance Month, a milestone Mirsky described as deeply meaningful.
“This is a massive win for every single neurodivergent person in the state of New York,” he said.
Glen Cove Mayor Pamela D. Panzenbeck was also in attendance, and voiced her support for the initiative, calling the annual ceremony a point of pride for the city. “I used to be a teacher for 34 years in a high school,” Panzenbeck said. “I taught students of every single level of ability.”
Lavine, who has played a key role in advancing the initiative and coordinating the annual ceremony, was unable to attend because of a meeting in Albany. In a statement, he praised Mirsky’s advocacy and the broader movement behind it. “I am very proud of Josh Mirsky’s efforts to promote the understanding that each of us learns differently,” Lavine said, “and that it is our responsibility to guarantee that everyone is treated with respect and equality.”
The concept of neurodiversity — which includes conditions such as autism, dyslexia and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder — reframes these differences as natural variations in how the brain functions, rather than deficits. Advocates say that shift is critical to improving outcomes in education, employment and everyday life.
According to the New York State Office for People With Developmental Disabilities, the new color scheme, used across state buildings this year, signals a move beyond awareness and toward celebration.
“I am so proud to fly New York’s Neurodiversity Strength Flag to represent belonging for the tens of thousands of self-neurodiverse New Yorkers who add value to our families, workplaces, and communities,” the office’s Commissioner, Willow Baer, said in a statement.
In Glen Cove, that message resonated strongly with families like the Damianos. Nicholas, his mother said, is thriving with the support he receives in school — and her advocacy has extended beyond her own family. After noticing gaps in resources for students in self-contained classrooms, she pushed for changes in literacy programming, and helped bring SEPTA back to the district last year to support other families navigating similar challenges.
Looking ahead, SEPTA plans to expand its programming with meetings throughout the school year and potential partnerships with the district’s special-education department to host parent workshops and guest speakers.
For Damiano, the flag raised above Village Square is more than a symbol. It is evidence of progress, and a reminder of the work still ahead.
“It shows a sense of belonging,” she said. “And that it’s ok to be different, because that’s what makes us special.”
