Professional Child Development Associates

Speech and language therapy at Pcda provides individual therapy for children with challenges in speech and communicaion. Speech and language therapy is provided in play-based and semi structured activities in the clinic setting. Approximately 149 children received speech and language therapy services during 2023. Pcda services are unique in that parents are always actively included in all therapy sessions and the use of developmental, play-based methodologies. Speech and language pathologists at Pcda specialize in aac-alternative and augmentative communication systems for children who are unable to use verbal communication. Speech and language therapists provide training through presentations for Pcda staff. Long term goals of the speech and language program are to provide services in multiple languages,(currently offered in mandarin, korean, hebrew, taiwanese, and malayalam) and to participate in research and publications As leaders in the field advocating for developmental-relationship based approaches to treatment.

Feeding assessment and therapy at Pcda offers comprehensive assessment and ongoing feeding therapy services to children who have oral-motor difficulties with chewing or swallowing, sensory aversion to touch, smell or taste of food, be underweight or overweight, have medical problems that affect hunger and digestion, and/or have behavioral challenges around eating. Over 60 individuals received feeding assessment and/or therapy services during 2023.

Teen Club socialization skills program which supports community integration, peer to peer interaction, life skills in the home and community. Teen groups, including 2 facilitators and 6-8 teens, utilize budgeted funds to support programmatic goals such as event planning, budgeting, community visits to foster independence and community inclusion. Approximately 115 individuals received these services during 2023.