MDNews - Minnesota

" We are a center of early education and clinical support. These elements coexist on our campus, where we provide services to children of all abilities. Our goal is to intervene as early as possible so that children and their families can be successful in learning and life." JULIE SJORDAL, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ST. DAVID'S CENTER phase for expa nding a nd renovating St. David's Center's treatment rooms. FOCUS ON MENTAL HEALTH The space dedicated to mental health services for children and families has also received a facelift. It has five family therapy rooms large enough for multiple family members to congregate and inter- act, a multidisciplinary assessment room and two dedicated play therapy rooms, increasing capacity from two treatment rooms to eight. "Ta lk therapy isn't appropriate for many of the children we treat," Sjordal says. "Play therapy in these large, well-lit rooms teaches us a lot more about who these children are and how to help them." The expansion has also doubled the sup- port capabilities for children with trauma. The center is home to a mental health day treatment program — where children spend half-day sessions in groups receiv- ing guided care — as well as an in-home services program and a program that sup- ports the unique needs of foster children. To m e e t t h e g r o w i n g n e e d , t h e ment a l hea lt h t ea m w i l l ex pa nd i n t he com i ng yea r, addi ng st a f f to t he Minnetonka center location as well as growing St. David Center's community- based prog ra ms. SUPPORT FOR LIFE For St. David's Center, care for a person is a lifelong commitment. Children who graduate from youth programming con- tinue to receive support as they become adolescents and adults. "Supported living services is about our continued support for adults with devel- opmental disabilities," Sjordal says. "By focusing on an individua l's streng ths, we can help them live more successful lives. That's what all of our programming is for, whether it's preschool for typica l children or advanced care for someone who is di•erently abled." To learn more about the services pro- vided by St. David's Center throughout th e g re a t e r Mi n n e a p o li s a re a , v i s it stdavidscenter.org. ■ Statistical Evidence Prevalence of childhood developmental needs has reached epidemic propor- tions across the country. • One in six children in the United States lives with at least one developmental disability, according to a study published in the journal Pediatrics. • One in five youths between 13–18 years old is diagnosed with a mental health condition, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. • One in 68 children is diag - nosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), according to the CDC's Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network (ADDM Network). The prevalence of ASD increased between 2002 and 2010. • While most children with ASD are diagnosed before age 3, less than half receive a comprehensive developmental evaluation before their fourth birthday, according to the ADDM Network. St. David's Center's occupational therapy gyms feature a variety of swing activities that build muscle strength, coordination and endurance. 0 8 0 8❱❱❱❱❱ C O V E R S T O R Y

• Cover