The Glen Cove School for Language and Communication Development transformed its halls and walls into a living, breathing town on Friday, as part of the school's first ever "Town Day."

As SLCD serves young students along the Autism spectrum, the day's plan was to familiarize students with real life situations – with an emphasis on interaction and communication – in order to implement skills and tools required in everyday life.

"This amazing opportunity allows students to showcase and apply their skills in and out of the classroom," said Dr. Ellenmorris Tiegerman, Founder and Executive Director of SLCD. "The 'town' consists of a wide range of stores, such as a jewelry store where students actually purchase and make jewelry, a restaurant with waiters, waitresses, an actual food, and even a movie theater where students can purchase movie tickets and popcorn and then sit back and enjoy the show."

Tiegerman said the experience will allow for a smooth transition for students when away from their comfort zone.

Karen Katzman, Coordinator for Clinical Services at SLCD, says the idea came from an article she read in a magazine.

"What better way to learn about language and interaction than actually having a town?" Katzman said. "It's designed to teach from several perspectives. One perspective is actually going into a store, and learning about what to do in a store, another is vocational and learning about jobs."

While SLCD attracts students from the inner-city, Nassau and Suffolk Counties, the school's Glen Cove director, Dr. Christine Radziewicz, says all students have one thing in common.

"All students have had delays in the development of speech and langugage," said Radziewicz. "Some may have a diagnosis of autism, some do not. But we don't look at our children in terms of diagnosis; our children are here to learn language and to learn academics."

Currently serving over 400 students across three campuses, the SLCD has served the community with autism and special needs for the past 25 years.