Pasadena Child Development Associates, Inc.
Pasadena Child Development Associates, Inc.
PCDA News
Have you heard about the online Floortime Repository?
This free online community provides a wealth of information for families with special needs interested in DIR/Floortime. Sign up for FREE, and then explore forums, groups, watch Floortime videos, and learn about educational opportunities.
Music Together classes are back!
Music Together: Music and Movement Classes for Infants, Toddlers, and Preschoolers... and the Grownups Who Love Them!™
The 10-week Summer Semester begins June 15th, on Saturdays at 9am OR 10am
Music Together at PCDA is available as Music Together within Therapy Classes. Music Together within Therapy classes are specifically reserved for children who receive services at PCDA and/or have a developmental delay, with a maximum of 4 families per class.
Try it out for free!
FREE Music Together® Demo Classes.
Saturday, May 25 at 10 am
Saturday, June 1 at 9am and 10am
Saturday June 8 at 9am
Click for more information about Music Together classes
Click for a Music Together flyer: 
Music-Together_Summer-2013 (PDF)
Taught by Micky Mack, MT-BC and Alaina Prior, MT-BC, licensed Music Together Within Therapy™ providers and Board-Certified Music Therapists.
Please contact Melissa St. John, Music Together Center Director,
at (626) 793-7350 ext. 261 for more information on our FREE Demo Classes.
Friends of PCDA
at the Huntington Gardens!
Tuesday, May 28th at 9:30am
On Tuesday, May 28th at 9:30am, the Friends of PCDA are in for a special treat. Private tours and presentations at the Huntington Library & Gardens!!
The Friends of PCDA, is a group of women that meet once a month, on the last Tuesday of the month from 9:30-11:00am, to enjoy an enriching experience, as well as respond to volunteer needs of PCDA. Each month the group meets at a different location! In April the Friends of PCDA had a lovely time stringing bead necklaces with jewelry expert Anne Perry of Lindamood-Bell.
On May 28th, The Huntington Library & Gardens will be opening its doors just for us!
We will enjoy:
- a private tour of the Chinese Gardens
- a tea presentation: "Learning to Judge Tea Quality"
- a sampling in the Chinese Tea House by Lydia Kung
All ladies welcome!
To RSVP, please call Julia at (626) 793-7350 x284.
Please mark your calendars for PCDA's Creative Arts Camp
2013 Creative Arts Summer Camp • August 5-16 • 9am-12pm .
Are you looking for a fun summer activity for your child aged 8-12? We've got it!
The cost for the 2-week camp is $600 per child. SCHOLARSHIPS ARE AVAILABLE!
The Creative Arts Department has received a very generous $4,000 grant from the Pasadena Rotary Club to provide scholarships for the camp!
Click here for a scholarship application.
Click here for a registration form for Creative Arts camp.
Click here for a PDF of the camp flyer.
For more information about any Creative Arts events, please contact Melissa St. John at (626) 793-7350 x261 or via email.
PCDA T-Shirts for Sale!
Adult and Youth sizes available.
All sizes are $10 each
and are available at the front desk.
Proceeds help support PCDA's mission to provide quality programs and services to families and children with special needs. Thank you!
Wear your PCDA spirit by purchasing a t-shirt!
PCDA Spring Talent Show!
Performances by the Children of PCDA
| WHEN: | Wednesday, May 29th at 6pm |
| WHERE: | PCDA Large Conference Room (Upstairs) 620 N. Lake Ave.; Pasadena, CA |
Whether your child will be performing on stage, or in our audience, we would love for all of our families to participate!
Click here for a Talent Show flyer.
Click here for a Talent Show registration form.
For more information, please contact Melissa
at (626) 793-7350 x261 or via email.
Thank you to everyone who participated in the 2013 Walk NOW for Autism Speaks Rally on at the Rose Bowl!
Team ‘PCDA & Real Food Daily’ recruited over 60 members and raised $1,246.00 for Autism Speaks, a leading organization in autism research and treatment.
Thank you also to our sponsors, Real Food Daily, for supporting this important cause.
Spring Socials!
On Thursday April 25 and Friday April 26 PCDA families enjoyed crafts, games, snacks and music in a beautifully decorated, spring-themed room, and lots of fun was had by all. Thanks everyone!
April Book Fair Event Wraps Up
Many Thanks...
to everyone who supported PCDA's Psychology and Counseling Services Department at the Old Town Pasadena Barnes & Noble Bookfair on April 9th-12th. Proceeds from store and online purchases will directly benefit the department in purchasing materials and toys.
We would also like to thank Barnes & Noble for hosting the Bookfair Fundraiser, Starbucks in Old Town for donating delicious coffee, Dream Dinners for their generous raffle donation, and Flights of Fantasy for reading to the kiddos during Storytime!
Congratulations to our RAFFLE WINNERS...
Julie Williams ($200 Dream Dinners Gift Certificate) and Tina Babakhanloo (Toy Basket)!
Autism Fundraiser at Diner on Main - April 16th
Thank you to everyone who participated in the Diner on Main Fundraiser for the Autism Speaks Walk! On Tuesday, April 16th PCDA held a fundraiser at Diner on Main in Alhambra that raised over $200 for Team PCDA's contribution to Walk Now For Autism Speaks.
Profectum Floortime Conference
The Profectum Foundation's 1st International Conference, entitled "Three Dimensional Thinking: Expanding Frontiers to Advance Development for Children Across the Lifespan", is happening in Pasadena in April!
April 12-14, 2013
Pasadena Convention Center
There are great speakers coming to this conference, and it is VENDORED through Regional Center: RC PD2979, VC 102. Dr. Cullinane and Program Specialist Jenn Aceves will be presenting about PCDA's Teen Club.
Don't miss it! Click here for more information and to register.
PCDA's Annual Golf Classic Tournament & Awards Dinner
Show off your swing at PCDA's third annual Golf Tournament! Enjoy a relaxing day of golf on a Jack Nicklaus designed course at the Angeles National Golf Club in Sunland. The day of fun includes lunch, contest and prizes, an auction, and awards dinner.
Friday, May 10th, 2013
Angeles National Golf Club |
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| 9401 Foothill Blvd. Sunland, CA 91040 |
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JUST ANNOUNCED: USC Men's and Women's Golf Teams to participate at PCDA’s Annual Golf Tournament!
To register and for more information go to: pcda.golfregistrations.com
NEW! Korean Parent Support Group
Pasadena Child Development Associates, Inc. would like to invite you to our new Korean Parent Support Group. This informational meeting is to guide you on how to seek services through Regional Centers, Insurance and/or School Districts.
We will discuss successful ways to communicate concerns regarding your child, therapeutic models that will benefit your child's overall development and resources for you to use when inquiring about services. We hope that you will join us and we hope to be able to answer any of your questions and/or concerns. We look forward to hearing from you soon!
To RSVP for the support group, please contact Christine Kim at (626)793-7350 extension 283.
Click to view the flier (in Korean): Korean-Parent-Support-Group (doc) Korean-Parent-Support-Group (PDF)
Its time for PCDA's Annual Survey Week!
Monday, January 21st to Friday, January 25th.
Any parent whose child receives services at PCDA is eligible to fill out a survey.
Surveys are available in PCDA's waiting room on the Resource Table. You can turn them in to the box on the table, to our receptionist or to your DI/Therapist.
NEW! The survey will be available via our website and Facebook page during Survey Week! We appreciate your input and hope that PCDA can continue to provide quality services to your child and your family.
Shopping Party to Benefit PCDA!
You're invited to shop and sip for a great cause!
| Who: | All adults 21+ |
| What: | A fundraising party and wine tasting at Savor the Flavor, a specialty food & gourmet gift store in Sierra Madre |
| When: | Wed Jan 23 Time: 5:30 - 7pm |
| Cost: | Free! |
Ten percent of everything purchased on the evening of the event is donated back to PCDA. There will be a presentation of award winners in gift and food products, followed by a tasting/shopping party. Wine and appetizers will be available for all attendees.
Please RSVP by Monday, January 21st to Julia Scheibmeir, (626) 793-7350 x284 or via email.
Annual Online Auction a great success!
Thank you to everyone who participated in the online auction! We hope you enjoy your purchases. Thank you to the many stores and restaurants that donated items this year, and thank you all for supporting PCDA!
Thanks to Real Food Daily
A big Thank You to Ann Gentry and Rob Jacobs of Real Food Daily for sponsoring a Toy Drive for PCDA over the holidays. The large container was overflowing and many children enjoyed these special gifts. PCDA believes in the value of play for children, and appreciate all of those who donated toys for children!
Real Food Daily Pasadena
899 East Del Mar Blvd, Pasadena CA 91106
Click here to view map
PCDA's Wonderful Annual Holiday Recitals
Once again the holiday recitals were beautiful and memorable.
Thanks to all who participated, for your donations, and a special thanks to our FRIENDS group for their help.
Art Contest Winners Announced
We have our winners from PCDA's Annual Art Contest.
Congratulations to the winning artists for their art submissions!
You can see all the contest entries
on PCDA's Facebook page!
Thank you to everyone who participated!
Now accepting Aetna Insurance
PCDA is now a participating provider with Aetna!
To discuss how to schedule services under Aetna insurance,
please contact Carlo, Finance Director, at (626) 793-7350 x206.
La Bella Luna Gourmet Festival
- a spectacular evening!
La Bella Luna was held Saturday night Sept 29th at the home of Laura and Nick Agakanian. More than 150 guests enjoyed the warm fall evening, under the full moon, enjoying a spectacular view of the whole San Gabriel Valley. Music was provided by SolSpeak, and gourmet food was catered by Arli's. The event honored Congressman Adam Schiff for his many years of work on behalf of children. Many thanks to Steve Tobia and Laura Agakanian, 
the event co-chairs, and to the many volunteers and guests. It was truly a spectacular evening!
A big thank you to Color Me Mine Pasadena and Ellen's Silkscreening for their generous, in-kind support for this event!
Thanks to all who stopped by CPK to help Raise Dough for PCDA!
On Wednesday, October 3rd,, the California Pizza Kitchen restaurant at 99 N. Robles Ave. in Pasadena donated 20% of all total purchases made by those presenting a Philanthropizza coupon in support of PCDA.
This fundraising event directly benefited PCDA's Program Specialist Department and its programs: Building Blocks, SEDI, Social Skill Groups, Teen Club, and many more...
Come join us for another fun-filled ART SATURDAY morning of music, costumes and visual arts for the whole family!
Please mark your calendars for the next one on Saturday, October 13th from 9:30am-11:30am* in the PCDA Upstairs Conference Room
Children of all ages and their families are welcome to explore the exciting world of the creative arts through activity stations in a fun interactive way!
*Drop in any time; pay at the door. $5 for a family of 3, $10 for a family of 4+.
Please be sure to RSVP to Melissa St. John at (626) 793-7350 x261 or via email so we can have supplies ready for all!
Second California-wide DIR/Floortime Conference a Great Success!
DIR®/Floortime: A View From the Floor
The second annual California-wide DIR/Floortime Conference, A View From The Floor, was held on Saturday October 20th. 250 people convened at the Burbank Marriott Hotel & Convention Center for a day of education and networking, followed by a spectacular evening gala to celebrate the Floortime Coalition of California. Thanks to everyone who attended and volunteered to make the event such a success!
Read more and see event photos in the November Handprints newsletter
New Partnership with Lanterman FRC
PCDA is pleased to announce that Lanterman Regional Center Family Resource Center has established a contract with PCDA's Music Together program and Speech department. This involves eight weekly visits for children ages birth to 5 in family style groups. We are excited to help expand the families we serve and educate more parents on useful strategies to be used in their daily lives.
The Bob Baker Marionette Show on August 1st - A Great Success!
Parents and Community Members Invited to Join "Friends of PCDA"
The Friends of PCDA are a group of parents and others from the community who come together to help in various fundraising activities to support the mission of PCDA.
We meet on the LAST Tuesday of every month
from 9:30-10:30 am
Small conference room at PCDA
620 N. Lake Ave.
Pasadena, CA 91101
If you are interested in learning more please contact Diane Cullinane, M.D., Executive Director via email.
Click to view the flier: Friends-of-PCDA (Word doc) Friends-of-PCDA (Acrobat PDF)
PCDA's Annual Golf Classic Tournament & Awards Dinner was a Hole-in-One!
PCDA's 2nd Annual Golf Classic Tournament was a great success! Golfers enjoyed a fun day of golf with on-course entertainment and contests provided by Eric Tracy - The Mulligan Man.
The evening festivities included the exciting fire truck golf ball drop courtesy of the Pasadena Fire Department. One golf ball dropped into Hole # 18 winning a prize of $500 for golfer Brian Nakagiri!
Dinner guests enjoyed live music by the Crown City Combo Band, a special performance by PCDA client Alexander Morris and parent speaker Sandra Jones, spoke of the help her child and family had received from PCDA.
See more event photos in the July 2012 PCDA newsletter.
Teen Club Artist's Gallery
Held at the esteemed Armory for the Arts in Pasadena
On Thursday, May 24th PCDA's Teen Club held its first annual Artist's Gallery at the Armory Center for the Arts in Pasadena. It was a great event as parents and friends came out to celebrate our talented artists, poets, sculptures, song writers, and animators! We look forward to doing it again next year!
PCDA's Spring Social was a smash!
Our first PCDA Spring Socials took place on April 26th and 27th and were a big success! Many of our social skills groups and individual clients stopped by for some arts and crafts, party games and yummy food! We made finger puppets, colorful caterpillars and enjoyed dancing and musical chairs! We can't wait to see everyone again next year. Happy Spring!
MedClaims Partnership
PCDA is pleased to announce a new partnership with MedClaims Liaison (MCL). They are a leading health insurance advocate, that works with families to recover money from their insurance carriers. MCL's team specializes in maximizing reimbursements for therapies and treatments for autism and other disabilities. They also have several staff that are parents of children with disabilities themselves, and offer special sensitivity to the challenges involved in these claims.
For more information, please contact Christine Kim at (626) 793-7350 x283.
PCDA Client Wins Honors in National Contest!
Congratulations to PCDA client Daniel Roman for winning top honors in the National PTA Reflections Program through Glendora Unified School District with his essay on the theme of diversity.
His mother shares, "Daniel would not be where he is today were it not for all of the support, help and assistance he has received at PCDA during the last several years."
An excerpt: "To me diversity means that it's okay to be different. I think I knew what diversity meant long before I ever heard the word. You see I have autism. Having autism has always made me different from other children. I get bothered by loud noises or tags in my clothes that make me itch. It is very hard for me to look at people in the eye, and I don't like it when anything at school or home does not follow the usual routine. I go to a lot of programs to help me learn how to do things that other kids just know how to do automatically like telling jokes."
For the entirety of Daniel's essay, please click here.
PCDA: An Inspiring Charity
PCDA was honored to be selected by THE Pasadena Foothills Magazine as one of the 'THE 50 Inspiring Charities' in the Pasadena Foothills Area. See us in the December 2011 edition.
A reception was held at Eden Garden on January 4th for the recipients. Thank you for this honor!
PCDA Occupational Therapist
Returns from Ghana
Mariko Yamazaki, OTD, OTR/L returned to Mephibosheth Training Centre (a boarding school for children with special needs in Ghana, West Africa) for the 4th year in a row!
She worked with a team of 9 occupational therapists, 1 physical therapist, and 1 speech therapist to provide hands-on treatment, collaborate with the teachers and staff, learn from and teach strategies to the parents, families, and surrounding community in order to support these children.
There is a growing number of passionate people in Ghana who are working to support the long-term journey for all of these children. The team also provided guest lectures for the Special Education Department at the University of Education, Winneba. Ghana is becoming more and more progressive with regards to Disability Rights, and it shows in the hearts of the parents, community-based rehabilitation workers, and church members that the team met along the way. Thank you to everyone who donated used clothing and other goods!
It's open! PCDA's Augmentative & Alternative Communication Center
PCDA's state-of-the-art AAC Center is up and running!
Thank you to all of the individual donors and the following foundations who made this possible: CIBA foundation, SKETCH foundation Henry L Guenther Foundation, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Southern California, Ronald McDonald House Charities, and UPS Foundation.
If you are interested in a consultation or assessment for your child,
please contact Anne Davis, MS, CCC-SLP, and Head of Speech & Language at PCDA, at (626) 793-7350 x205.
2012 PCDA Calendars On Sale Now!
For the first time ever, PCDA has put together a comprehensive 12-month calendar, complete with events, trainings, holidays and more! Wonderful photos of PCDA families complete each month. Don't miss out on this special item! Supplies limited.
Purchase one at the Reception Desk for only $10,
or call to have one mailed to you.
Proceeds support PCDA programs and services
NEW Speech & Language Screenings
PCDA is now offering speech & language screenings
by licensed Speech & Language Pathologists for $35.
These screenings take a total of 30 minutes including a brief write-up and will provide families with a better understanding of their child's speech and language development.
To schedule a screening, please contact Anne Davis at (626) 793-7350 x205.
Thank you to Pasadena Independent Schools Foundation!
PCDA was chosen to be a recipient of a Pasadena Independent Schools Foundation grant. The 16 chosen charities will be visited by students next year, to determine the awards. We look forward to their visit!
Thank you to the Wynne Foundation!
PCDA is the recipient of a grant from the Wynne Foundation to support programs and services. We thank the Wynne Foundation for their on-going generous support.
Thank you to Elements Kitchen!
Thank you to Elements Kitchen who gave a portion of the proceeds from all Wednesday night dinners in November to PCDA.
Dr. Diane with Onil Chibas, owner of Elements Kitchen.
PCDA Executive Director visits China
Dr. Diane Cullinane had the opportunity to travel to Chengdu, China to present at an International Autism Conference. Her trip was sponsored by Joni and Friends, in collaboration with Amity International. Dr. Diane shared information about the DIR approach, and the developmental approach to behavioral challenges. While resources in China for children with autism are not extensive, the professionals were eager to learn and also shared some innovative strategies they have developed.
PCDA's Veronica Vallejo, second from the left, is interviewed by the news team. Martha and Jose Cruz are on the right.
PCDA on the News
On October 6th, PCDA appeared on a Spanish morning news show called Hogar Al Dia, Noticias on Bereavision to bring awareness to the Latin community of the services available for children diagnosed with developmental disabilities and delays. PCDA's Developmental Interventionist Veronica Vallejo conducted the interview. They discussed topics as diverse as the importance of early detection of delays, the Regional Center system, and the support available for children born to undocumented parents. The Cruz family, a PCDA client, generously offered to share their experience of their child's diagnosis of autism, and their struggles with receiving adequate funding for services. Veronica also shared information with the news team about PCDA's history, the agency's philosophy of DIR/ Floortime and the various multidisciplinary services PCDA offers.
Click here for more information in Spanish!
New Evidence-Based Support for Relationship-based Intervention
Strong research support is one of the primary factors affecting funding decisions for services for children with autism. This is one of the reasons we are glad to see a new study by by Devin Casenheiser and colleagues at York University published in the journal Autism.
The article compared a group of children whose parents received 2 hours per week of coaching in helping their children develop social-communication skills, to a group of children who received 4 hours per week of other interventions in the community.
After one year the children in the social-communication group showed greater improvement in their interactions than the community treatment group. In addition, many of the skills we target in Floortime/DIR were directly associated with the children's improvements in language, including joint attention and emotional engagement (Levels 1 and 2 of the Floortime model). Finally, the parents' increased skills were also associated with the children's improved interactions.
It's great to have evidence for what we know from experience: when parents help their children connect emotionally, the children enter more fully into the world of communication with others.
Pacific Oaks College Students Take a Tour of PCDA
Vivian Tamkin, Ph.D is a licensed psychologist, professor and adjunct faculty member at Pacific Oaks College in Pasadena, where she is currently teaching Introduction to Therapeutic Companions: A Behavioral Intervention. This course uses texts including The Child with Special Needs, by Dr. Stanley Greenspan, the developer of Floortime.
Dr. Tamkin is familiar with PCDA from working here as a contracted Developmental Interventionist over ten years ago for one child she brought to receive DIR/Floortime services. She brought her class of nine students to PCDA to show them an agency that provides services like the ones they are learning about and to connect them with professionals in their field of study.
Free G-Tube Supplies!
We have received a large donation of G-tube supplies, as well as a small amount of specialty formula.
If you have a need, please contact the Dietitians at PCDA: (626) 793-7350 x203.
Thank you to everyone who came to the Harvest Moon Home Tour!
On Sunday October 2nd, PCDA hosted its annual Harvest Moon Home Tour and Art Auction at the historic Blacker House in Pasadena. Homeowners Harvey and Ellen Knell graciously opened up their home for an exclusive tour enjoyed by the Harvest Moon guests. Home tours led by docents dressed in early 1900s costumes were followed by a cocktail reception and silent auction of fine art. The evening continued with a heartwarming program highlighting PCDA's services for children with special needs and a gourmet dinner under the Harvest Moon. This year's Harvest Moon event raised over $12,000 for PCDA!
Thank you to our MC, Jovana Lara, weekend news anchor from Channel 7 Eyewitness News.
See more event photos in the November PCDA newsletter.
PCDA Executive Director Dr. Diane Cullinane, Jovana Lara,
volunteer Andrew Hain, and Phillip Hain
Feeding Parent Support Group
Every Friday 9:30-10:30am at PCDA
Is your child receiving feeding therapy? Then consider joining our Feeding Parent Support Group. The group is led by a member of PCDA's Interdisciplinary Feeding Team.
This is a chance for parents to come together to share their experiences and support one another as they work through their child's feeding challenges.
FREE for parents in PCDA's Interdisciplinary Feeding Clinic.
Click to view the flier: PCDA_FEEDING-support-group (Acrobat PDF)
For more information, contact Betina at (626) 793-7350 x211
TOYS!!
PCDA received a large collection of toys, donated by ASTRA - The American Specialty Toy Retailing Association, who held their annual convention in Anaheim this year.
Dr.Diane Cullinane presented a talk on Toys for Children with Special Needs. The exhibitors were glad that their toys were going to be used to help children with developmental challenges.
Thank you to ASTRA!
Adapted Art Lessons
PCDA's Creative Arts Department is excited to announce that we will now be offering Adapted Art Lessons. Professional artist, Amy Huestis, will provide adapted art lessons for children ages 10-18. Click here for more information about this exciting new creative arts program.
Please contact Melissa St. John (626) 793-7350 ext. 261 or email for more information!