Raising a child, especially one with special needs, raises many questions for a parent or guardian. Sewall Child Development Center has a team of experts who are fully prepared to answer questions that arise, with programs that lead a child and his or her family through the early years. Sewall experts can diagnose and treat children with special needs, offer family services, and – most importantly – provide a safe and supportive learning environment for all children.
Sewall is unique because of our commitment to inclusive programs that serve children with and without special needs in integrated environments. Sewall’s transdisciplinary approach assists the whole child rather than focusing on just the challenge or disability. And we are committed to assisting children in natural settings, rather than providing invasive therapeutic services. Finally, Sewall’s family-centered approach ensures that parents and care providers are partners in early intervention who participate fully in providing supports that further the child’s individual development.
Our comprehensive programs, each designed to promote optimal development, provide the highest quality services based on best practices for early childhood intervention and incorporate the whole family in the child’s learning. They include:
Integrated Developmental Preschool Program
In Sewall’s inclusive preschool program, children with disabilities and delays learn side by side with their peers who are typically developing. Multi-age classrooms are staffed by early childhood special educators, occupational and physical therapists, speech pathologists and mental health professionals, and therapeutic interventions are provided within the natural setting of the classroom. This transdisciplinary model means Sewall’s preschool classrooms have ratios of one adult for every five children.
In Sewall’s inclusive preschool program, children with disabilities and delays learn side by side with their peers who are typically developing. Multi-age classrooms are staffed by early childhood special educators, occupational and physical therapists, speech pathologists and mental health professionals, and therapeutic interventions are provided within the natural setting of the classroom. This transdisciplinary model means Sewall’s preschool classrooms have ratios of one adult for every five children.
Each classroom team has a team leader who serves as the primary liaison with parents and care providers – but all team members participate in the development and monitoring of Individual Education Plans (IEPs), which are developed for all children with identified special needs. Our preschool program serves children at Sewall and at satellite sites, making high-quality early intervention more geographically accessible for families with children with special needs.
Early Childhood Care and Education Program
Sewall offers the highest quality child care to families who have children enrolled in our preschool program but require full-day care for their children. The play-based curriculum encourages children to learn through a variety of activities, promoting their social and intellectual development. Staffing ratio is one adult to seven children.
Sewall offers the highest quality child care to families who have children enrolled in our preschool program but require full-day care for their children. The play-based curriculum encourages children to learn through a variety of activities, promoting their social and intellectual development. Staffing ratio is one adult to seven children.
Infant/Toddler Program
Early childhood teams, including special educators and therapists, provide therapeutic supports to children from birth through age 3 who have special needs. The program provides regular intervention, both in homes and in child care settings, with parents and caregivers participating as partners so that they learn to support the individual developmental needs of their child. Team members work collaboratively with parents and health care providers to develop Individual Family Services Plans for each family and child.
Early childhood teams, including special educators and therapists, provide therapeutic supports to children from birth through age 3 who have special needs. The program provides regular intervention, both in homes and in child care settings, with parents and caregivers participating as partners so that they learn to support the individual developmental needs of their child. Team members work collaboratively with parents and health care providers to develop Individual Family Services Plans for each family and child.
Diagnostic and Evaluation Clinic
A transdisciplinary assessment team provides comprehensive evaluations for children and youth (birth through age 21) with developmental concerns. The team – including a developmental pediatrician, psychologist, speech pathologist, and occupational and physical therapists – conducts family-focused evaluations to identify specific developmental issues and make therapeutic recommendations.
A transdisciplinary assessment team provides comprehensive evaluations for children and youth (birth through age 21) with developmental concerns. The team – including a developmental pediatrician, psychologist, speech pathologist, and occupational and physical therapists – conducts family-focused evaluations to identify specific developmental issues and make therapeutic recommendations.
Family Outreach Services
Sewall is committed to helping parents be successful in their role as children’s first teachers, so we offer a variety of educational programs to support parents and care providers. Our providers offer instruction and support at our facilities or at home to encourage the development of the whole child.
Sewall is committed to helping parents be successful in their role as children’s first teachers, so we offer a variety of educational programs to support parents and care providers. Our providers offer instruction and support at our facilities or at home to encourage the development of the whole child.
Mental Health Services
Sewall provides behavioral assessments; classroom mental health and behavioral intervention; play-based therapy; and family counseling to young children with social-emotional concerns.
Sewall provides behavioral assessments; classroom mental health and behavioral intervention; play-based therapy; and family counseling to young children with social-emotional concerns.
Nearly 2,000 economically disadvantaged children are enrolled in Denver Head Start programs, which are held at more than 60 sites throughout our community. Sewall provides training and consultation to Head Start’s classroom teachers in an effort to help them establish consistent, developmentally appropriate practices. We also provide direct therapeutic intervention to approximately 340 Head Start children with identified special needs.
