Pasadena Child Development Associates, Inc.

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Pasadena Child Development Associates, Inc.

Programs and Services

Social Emotional Developmental Intervention

PCDA's Social Emotional Developmental Intervention (SEDI) ProgramSocial-emotional developmental intervention (SEDI) is a program for children, 3-12 years of age, with developmental challenges.  Challenges may be in the areas of emotional development, social development, interactive play, and/or social behavior which affect establishing relationships with family members and peers and achieving full inclusion in family and community activities.

SEDI is an "in-home" and "community" inclusion support/developmental interventional program for children and their families.  SEDI provides 1:1 individual service to each child utilizing "FloortimeTM/DIR" approach and play-based multidisciplinary intervention strategies.

The SEDI program may be helpful if:

  • Your child is having difficulty getting along with brothers or sisters: they may fight and argue, or just never play together
  • Your child needs constant adult supervision or attention to stay out of trouble, or he simply wanders or is aimless, with non-purposeful or repetitive play
  • Your child is having difficulty following routines and participating in activities at a preschool or after-school program
  • Your child is having difficulty making friends: she may stay to herself, not respond to other children, or make peers unhappy by her behavior
  • Your child does not do much pretend or creative play; or only plays about one idea
  • Your child gets too upset when he loses at a game, or with a change of routine
  • Your child takes a long time to calm down after becoming angry or upset.

And the SEDI program may be helpful for you if these things are difficult:

  • Finding ways to play with your child: your child may be more fascinated by a toy, computer or TV show than in interacting with you
  • Taking your child to the store or on errands because he screams, grabs or tantrums
  • Taking your child to the park because he runs away
  • Going to a restaurant because of your child's behavior
  • Setting limits and helping your child to accept "no"

A Developmental Interventionist will provide guidance to the family or caregiver in the home or community to help them with the challenges they are facing.  Parents are always involved, and the DI may also work with other adults who are providing care and supervision.  The DI may see the child in a variety of different natural environments, such as at home, in a typical preschool, or in the community.  The DI forms a special relationship with each child and support social-emotional development through an understanding of each child's unique challenges and capacities.  The DI facilitates and supports social relationships with siblings, peers, and friends and provides guidance to parents and collaborates with other caregivers or community providers.  The DI has the support of program supervisor and specialists.

The SEDI program may be provided at a low level of intensity, for  1-1/2 to 3 hours/week (authorized at 7.5 to 14 hours/month) to address play, behavioral, and social-emotional developmental goals, when this service can work closely with caregivers and complements the regular activities of the child.  A moderate level of intensity of SEDI services, 4- 6 hours/week (authorized at 18- 27 hours/month) may be indicated if this service is a key component of the child's program. A more intensive level of intervention, 8-15 hours/week (authorized at 36-67 hours/month) is indicated where the SEDI program is the primary program for addressing more challenging behavioral and developmental concerns.  At all levels of intensity, the developmental interventionist will work closely with parents/caregivers to target areas of priority and develop strategies to be used throughout the week.

For further information, please contact

Program Specialist - Jennifer Aceves (626) 793-7350 x222
Program Assistant - Katie Schinnerer x257