Services

Assessments

We currently provide developmental assessments including DIR/Floortime assessment, and early screenings for Autistic Spectrum Disorders. We have a fantastic resource list for assessments in other domains including occupational therapy, speech therapy, physical therapy, and pediatric and adolescent neuropsychology.

Advocacy/Case Management We can guide you through the IEP process with as much or as little support as you need. We can help you organize your child’s educational file, write letters to request services or inform school districts of your concerns, critically evaluate your child’s IEP, suggest ways you can monitor your child’s progress, or just attend the IEP with you to alleviate some of your anxiety. (Please read Conflict of Interest statement on bottom of page.)

Clinic-based DIR/Floortime

Our clinic-based DIR/Floortime program provides parents with one-on-one support and training to facilitate your child’s development through a better understanding of your child’s individual strengths and weaknesses. Sessions typically run 1 1/2 hours per week.  This program is appropriate for addressing:

  • early intervention
  • sensory processing weaknesses
  • self-help skills
  • social interaction skills (both with siblings and peers)
  • communication skills
  • motor skills

DIR/Floortime is also a great method for supporting those children who are described as “higher functioning” or who have a diagnosis of Asperger’s Syndrome. Floortime therapy is different from behavioral methods of intervention in that it addresses internal constructs such as emotion and motivation and is used most often with infants and toddlers through early childhood. Additional information on DIR/Floortime may be found in our DIR/Floortime section or by visiting www.icdl.com.

School-based Services

As a Non-public Agency, we have contracts with several school Districts in Southern California. We are able to provide Behavioral Therapists (also known as Shadows) which accompany students to their school setting as necessary in order to assist them in accessing their curriculum. Through the use of a Positive Behavioral Support Plan, our therapists address behaviors that often can result in academic failure including non-compliance, delayed social skills, attentional challenges, learning challenges, etc.

Home/Community Based Services

Children’s Developmental Milestones is a vendor with local Regional Centers.  We currently have programs that address developmental and behavioral challenges as well as adaptive skills and self help challenges.

Clinic-Based Social Skills Program

Our Social Skills Program offers three groups which are organized based on age and level of current functioning.

Fun Being Social for ages 4-7
Social Zone for ages 8-12
Social Club for ages 13-16.

This program supports a child as they increase social awareness of self and others (theory of mind). Children should gain more awareness of their emotions and the emotions of others (including reading social cues) Our teen group is geared towards socially related adaptive skills, (including time management) “fitting in” (making friends and dealing with peer-pressure).  Groups meet once a week for 90 minutes over a 10 week period.

Parent Education and Counseling Services

To provide support and supplemental education for parents of children with special needs, CDM offers a variety of services.

Individual Therapy
- support in understanding and processing your child’s disability and/or diagnosis
- reinforce coping strategies and stress management
- facilitate the grieving process
- empower parents to advocate for and support early intervention services

Support Groups
- provides opportunities for parents to share information, resources and ideas with other parents
- provides parents training and coping skills
- facilitate services with educational, medical, and other service providers

CDM Mini-Workshops
- mini workshops are offered throughout the year on topics of interest
- provides opportunity to meet other parents
- provides a forum for discussion
- provides opportunity to meet other professionals in the field

Many of our services are funded through the school district or your local regional center. For a description of the appeals procedure please visit www.dds.ca.gov/complaints or phone 916-654-1987.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST STATEMENT: At times, there may be a conflict of interest if more than one of our services are provided. For example, if CDM provides advocacy services and recommends in-home intervention through the Regional Center or school-based behavior intervention, CDM cannot, as well, provide those services as it is a conflict of interest. Please contact us for more information if you have concerns or questions about obtaining more than one of our services.