About The Zsido Ranch

The Zsido Ranch is a therapeutic community for autistic adults across the spectrum, providing day programs and living facilities that improve their quality of life and allow them to be part of a community’s fabric. The Zsido Ranch believes that patience for those with autism is paramount to their success and ongoing development.  Through extraordinary enrichment programs The Zsido Ranch is a community that leverages proven and developing techniques such as Therapeutic horse riding, Sensory related programs, aquatics, music & art therapy, biodynamic farming and more.

About Our Founder, Roxanne Portella-Zsido

Roxanne Zsido has been advocating for the autism community since 2005. Her journey started when her son RJ was diagnosed with Autism. She’s won 6 years of prospective funding for her sons attendance at the Manhattan ChildrensCenter in NYC. Advocating for her son against the Department of Education. With transitioning to follow, she continued to advocate in her district and continued his appropriate placements without counsel. As he grew the challenges became a test of faith and strength. More open heart surgeries, more procedures, more demands around the clock. She later on found Equine interest as her son did. In time, she became a therapeutic riding instructor and was said to be a success in the making by so many parents and professionals. Her passion for both the special needs and Equine became one. With her business background and now Equine love, Roxanne was inspired to do more for her son. She went on to continue to seek changes in the State and government. She then went on to develop what would be a one of a kind living facility with day habilitations.

Farm and Ranch lives are one of the fastest growing employment for special needs individuals because of the slower pace and more relaxing, making it easier for individuals with special needs to adapt to their surroundings. On a farm or ranch, there are several vocational activities and skills that need individuals can learn it offers a perfect opportunity to create a sustainable business for individuals can learn it offers a perfect opportunity to create a sustainable business for individuals with special needs by selling their products in local markets. Its meaningful work! Proving a day program and housing facilities, therapeutic horsemanship,and organic garden, therapeutic swimming, sensory stations, a theatre, bowling, related services and supportive typing and more will meet their needs and they will live a happy life!  New Jersey is only home to still a limited of behaviorally based school programs serving children with autism after 21. Confronted with the challenges of securing an appropriate and effective model, Roxanne was dedicated to facilitated a one of a kind home with endless programs and opportunities that would also allow parent inclusion and flexibility. She knew she wanted to do it all on a higher scale and this is how the Zsido Ranch was created.

Roxanne says, “when you can find yourself doing something for free and its makes an impact on someone else’s life, then you know you’ve found your niche in life! Autism has been the greatest lesson learned. In discovering my strength as a woman and a mother.

The Zsido Ranch is groundbreaking!

Why We Do What We Do

There is a major need in New Jersey for education, training, activities, and care for adults with autism. The state currently has limited behavioral-based school programming serving individuals with autism at age 21 and older.

Confronted with the challenges of securing an appropriate and effective model, Roxanne Zsido (RJ’s mom) was dedicated to establishing a facility to do just that.

A one-of-a-kind home with endless programs and opportunities that would also allow parent inclusion and flexibility. She knew she wanted to do it all on a higher scale and so the Zsido Ranch was born.

The purchase and renovation of the property will provide homes for 16 adult autistics on each campus. It will be a country-style community that fosters tranquility centered around an Equine center; removing sensory overloads, replacing them with tranquility and kinetic learning.

The Zsido Ranch will provide a consistent regimen through therapeutic horse riding (equine therapy) and an empathetic method connecting movement with learning.

To contact us about enrollment into the Zsido Ranch, please complete this questionnaire OR download the form and email us as attachment to Roxanne@zsidoranch.org

Student Application Questionnaire

Download Form

    How did you hear about the Zsido Ranch?

    Where and with whom does the applicant now live?

    Current school placement and/or program?
    When is placement needed?

    Primary Diagnosis:

    Secondary Diagnosis:

    Seizures?
    YesNo
    If yes, please describe:

    Current medications/Dose/Reason(s) for Use:
    Current or past therapies:

    Education history and experiences:

    Describe self-care skills and needs:

    Communication skills and needs (speech, hearing, vision):

    Relationship to others, social skills and needs:

    Relationship with children—Can the applicant live and be around small children?

    How does the applicant feel about animals—pets, bugs, farm animals?

    Enjoy participation in group activities?

    Describe level of sexual awareness including behavior disorders or problems, if any:

    Has the applicant been assessed for ability to consent to a relationship?

    Relation to work (work interests, attitudes and habits, work tolerance, skills and limitations):

    Response to direction when undertaking tasks?

    Describe any hobbies, strengths, interests, special abilities, talents and free time activities:


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