Pasadena Child Development Associates, Inc.

Welcome to
Pasadena Child Development Associates, Inc.

PCDA History

What I have appreciated most is the consistency of warmth and acceptance of my son as
a person."

The idea of creating a multi-disciplinary organization to provide services for children with disabilities began in 1996 as two colleagues, Dr. Diane Cullinane and Mimi Winer, noted a need for services which included families, and served children in the home and community. At that time many children with developmental delays and disabilities were served in special segregated educational or therapeutic-based 'school' programs, beginning at 18 months of age. With a belief that social-emotional development and family relationships were of primary importance, PCDA began a range of services which addressed the child's needs in natural environments, and included parents and caregivers.

A group of child development specialists from different disciplines who shared a similar philosophy about the importance of working with families came together to form Pasadena Child Development Associates, Inc. With a focus on social-emotional development, all disciplines were able to contribute to the understanding of the child, and work together, rather than the typical isolated individual discipline therapeutic model. With vital assistance from Lanterman Regional Center, PCDA was able to establish four innovative programs.

The first was an infant development program for children from birth to 3 years of age, called Building Blocks. This program provides early intervention to support a child's developmental, both at home and in other natural environments, utilizing a relationship-based model.

The 'Social-Emotional Developmental Intervention' (SEDI) program is designed to support children over 3 years of age, who have challenges in social-emotional development, play skills and social communication. The program uses DIR®/FloortimeTM approach both at home with parents, siblings, and other family members and in the community with peers and other caregivers. This program was the first of its kind and has become our largest program.

Interdisciplinary Feeding Services combines the expertise of a group of different professional disciplines to support children birth to age 12 who are having difficulty with eating. Feeding challenges often involve multiple, complex medical, physical, and behavioral factors. The team works directly with parents and other caregivers to address these challenges. The Feeding Team is now nationally recognized as a model program.

Socialization Skills Training is another innovative program started by PCDA. This program is unique in that we utilize DIR®/FloortimeTM principles in a play- based peer group program. If needed, a child may start with individual support in parent-child play, gradually advance to peer play opportunities, paired with another child and parent, and eventually join a peer social skills group of up to 6 children.

Over the past 11 years, these programs and other services have continued to grow and flourish. We have added many new services in response to community needs. Over 4,000 children have now benefited directly from PCDA services, and more through our outreach and training programs.

Families with children with special needs who come to PCDA are welcomed in the beautiful building and enjoy the caring support of all the staff, as well as receiving the highest quality services. A variety of free events for socialization and support are offered throughout the year.

In March 2008, PCDA became a non-profit organization. This change will open new possibilities for expansion and growth. The past 11 years have shown what an outstanding success is possible following the core principles of parent involvement, multi-disciplinary team, and a focus on social-emotional development.