Children's Institute for Learning Differences

Mission

The mission of Children's Institute for Learning Differences (CHILD) is to provide innovative school programs, therapies, and training that promote social, emotional, and academic development for children with significant learning and behavioral challenges.

Description

Children's Institute for Learning Differences (CHILD), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is comprised of 3 service areas: therapeutic day-school services and pediatric clinical services for students and private clients (ages 3 - 18), and support and training for parents and professionals.

For more than 46 years, CHILD has been addressing the needs of children often denied access to local education programs due to challenges posed by severe sensory processing disorders, learning disabilities, attention deficit disorders, emotional-behavioral disabilities, autism, and extreme anxiety.  We pride ourselves on being a demonstration site for what is possible for our most vulnerable kids.

Today, more than 33 school districts throughout Puget Sound turn to CHILD for intervention services to address the needs of children either not attending school or those failing in their current school placements.

CHILD's model of care is based on the seminal work of Lucy Miller, Ph.D. OTR in the field of sensory processing disorder and influenced by the work of Ross Greene Ph.D. in the area of empathy-based, collaborative problem-solving communications. The intervention services that CHILD provides - therapeutic education and developmental therapy- equip children who suffer from conditions that interfere with learning, (Autism Spectrum Disorder, Sensory Processing Disorder, ADD/ADHD, mental health and anxiety disorders, or other neurologically-based disabilities) with the tools they need to become learners. Students who were once struggling learn to master self-regulation, develop and maintain friendships, and engage in problem-solving communications, with most transitioning back to their home school districts within 1-3 years.

Those we serve share the impact of our interventions best:

"CHILD is more than a life saver; it's a life builder." (Parent)
"I finally found a place where I can be accepted, where I can be imaginative, where I am me." (Student)
"At CHILD, for the first time, I found answers to questions, solutions for problems, and hope never-ending for helping my son." (Parent)

Recognition

As we continue to navigate the extraordinary changes COVID-19 brought to our communities in Washington state, CHILD staff has been focused on ensuring that our most vulnerable students continue to have access to quality educational services. Our staff is committed to delivering on our mission. Support from our communities will allow us to do that.

It would be wonderful to share with you that all of our students have thrived during the pandemic as delivery of educational services were modified, but the reality of the pandemic has been difficult. Mental health issues are rising to critical levels, and children who do best in a classroom setting struggled to adapt to attending school virtually and returning to school campuses after six months at home.  The need for CHILD's interventions have never been greater.

Families were put in unbelievable situations trying to support their child's learning at home. CHILD made it a priority to get back to in-person learning as quickly as possible. - and we DID! CHILD students have been back on our campus since October 2020, a full YEAR before many of the schools in the state. Our staff remains as committed as ever to the students and families we serve.

We are also proud that CHILD has not had any reduction in staff during the pandemic. Our commitment to our staff is strong. The work they do every day is highly specialized, and not everyone can do it. It takes a special person to work at CHILD and our focus remains on keeping everyone gainfully employed, and our students and their families supported.