“Celebrate what is. Commit to what can be.”
The uplifting slogan is a call to action posted at a newly constructed building that houses Children’s Therapy Center (CTC). It offers a bright future for babies and toddlers. The philosophy announces a service conveniently located at the boundaries of Black Diamond, Covington and Maple Valley that converge. Early intervention on behalf of children from birth to age three is the focus of CTC’s newest location; the non-profit organization services children birth to 18 months at other locations in South King and Pierce counties. It is the largest provider of pediatric therapy in Washington State.
The newest therapy center, with a Black Diamond address, opened July 17. Grand Opening is set for Thursday, Sept. 6 from 11:00 AM until 1:00 PM.All are welcome to attend the celebration, including current CTC families and those from surrounding communities. The purpose of Early Invention will be addressed, along with services that are offered. Children are welcome; activities for them are available. Open for public viewing is the classroom, Gross Motor Room, and the evaluation room that CTC refers to as “Family Room.” It is set up like a homey living room.
It is well understood that the first three years of a child’s life greatly influence their well-being as adults. CTC offers support that children with special needs require to promote good health deemed necessary for brain development. Child development research has established that the rate of human learning and development is most rapid in the preschool years. Timing of intervention becomes particularly important when a child runs the risk of missing an opportunity to learn during the stage of maximum readiness. A child who misses these most teachable moments may have difficulty learning a particular skill at a later time. Karnes and Lee (1978, pg 1) have noted, “Only through early identification and appropriate programming can children develop their potential.”
“We know that this community is one of the fastest-growing areas in Washington,” said CEO Barry Gourley. “More growth means more children in need of Early Intervention services. Our expansion into the Maple Valley area is our way of saying, ‘We’re here to meet that need’. Our new center will help children ages birth to three reach development milestones, achieve school readiness and reduce their need for special education.”
Basically, if a child is not meeting motor, speech, and cognitive milestones, the issues will impact future development of those skills. Early Intervention assists the ‘catch-up’ process. Examples include infants and toddlers who are not talking or walking ‘on time’, children with feeding issues such as not accepting solid foods, or children in need of orthotics to meet their motor milestones. They are all routinely served at CTC. Parents and caregivers concerned about their infants and toddlers can call to schedule a free evaluation. CTC also gets referrals from pediatricians.
Support from CTC focuses on nutrition, safety, and security, responsible care giving, and an environment that focuses on stimulation and learning. The staff does comprehensive evaluations that assess a child’s development in seven areas: receptive and expressive communication, fine and gross motor, adaptive, cognitive, and social-emotional. For children over age 16 months they also screen for autism. Although the screening is not considered a diagnosis, the staff is looking for ‘red flags’. If the child qualifies for special services by exhibiting a measureable delay in comparison to same-aged peers in one or more of those seven areas, then CTC supports the child and family through therapy and/or educational services that best fit the child’s needs. Therapy takes place in the child’s natural environment, the home. Therapy at home includes direct contact with the child along with parent coaching so the family can implement and practice the therapist’s suggestions throughout the week. Education can occur either in CTC classrooms with structured peer groups and classes, or in the home.
Each family served by CTC is assigned a Family Resources Coordinator who writes and maintains the child’s Individualized Family Services Plan (IFSP). That plan outlines the child’s history and current development. It sets and adjusts goals for therapy every six months. The staff also helps the family identify relevant community resources that have been proved beneficial.
CTC staff includes Christina Terbovic, speech therapist and Team Lead for the Black Diamond area location. Regarding Christina and the Grand Opening, staff has declared, “She first had a vision of a CTC in this area five years ago. It has finally come to fruition!” The staff of about 20 includes speech therapists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, teachers, a social worker and family resource coordinators. The office serves the communities of Maple Valley, Covington, Enumclaw, Black Diamond and Ravensdale. Information about the Grand Opening is available from Claire Acey, director of communications, at 253-216-0774 or Claire@ctckids.org.
