Building Bridges provides high-quality early childhood education for young children with developmental disabilities or delays to improve their academic and social outcomes for the future. Our goal is to help children advance to their full potential in all areas of development in preparation for entrance into the public school system.
We have two Early Intervention Day Treatment centers (or EIDT), one in Cabot and one in Lonoke, where we serve children with developmental delays and disabilities ages 6 weeks to 5 years old. We are proud to be certified with Better Beginnings from Arkansas Division of Early Child Care at a 3-star rating, their highest rating.
Building Bridges’ preschool centers foster a safe, clean, and inclusive environment where all children feel loved, valued, and supported, leading to positive outcomes for not only for the child, but also for their families and communities. Everything we do is based on our core values that promote empathy, respect, dedication, compassion, patience, acceptance, and integrity.
In addition to academic and social education, we also offer:
Nutritional meals and snacks
Safe, age-appropriate classroom toys and playground equipment
Pediatric therapy services
Transportation and extended care
Benefits of Developmental Preschool
Developmental preschools focus on providing your child with experiences that help them grow physically, socially, emotionally, and cognitively. Our centers provide individualized instruction and promote socialization while fostering a sense of independence and self-confidence in children.
This environment helps compensate for a variety of developmental disabilities and delays as they grow. Our program helps children learn how to develop their social skills by learning to share, take turns, and making friends – all essential skills they need as they grow up. We also help children develop emotionally by providing a safe and nurturing environment where they can express their feelings and learn healthy ways to cope with stress and anxiety.
For children with special health care needs, the Building Bridges preschool centers have on-site nursing staff that establishes specific care plans, presents staff training, health care and medication management, and conducts regular quality control assessments to ensure that medical plans are being followed correctly.
Curriculums are uniquely designed for each skill level as instructors recognize each child’s distinctive talents, capabilities, and areas for growth. Because children learn through their senses, many of our activities encourage hands-on exploration, creativity, and problem solving. Our staff uses play experiences to help children develop a strong sense of self and belief in their abilities, which is especially important for children with disabilities who may encounter challenges and obstacles in their daily lives.
Referrals and Enrollment
It’s important to start helping children who experience difficulties as early as possible because it gives them a better chance to improve and helps avoid more significant problems as they get older.
Enrollment referrals can be made by parents, physicians, family, or anyone who has knowledge of the child. After the initial contact, our specialists will collaborate with your child’s primary care provider and request the results of the latest well-child check-up or EPSDT screening. The results of this screening will determine if a referral for further services within the EIDT setting is necessary.
If delays are suspected, a formal comprehensive evaluation will be scheduled with BBDCS. Acceptance to the center is made by the director and program coordinators based on the child’s age, classroom availability, staffing availability, transportation needs, and funding sources. Upon enrollment, each child receives an individualized treatment plan developed with family members and instructors to meet the unique needs of the child.
Developmental preschools can also provide pediatric therapy to children who experience difficulties with their physical, emotional, or thinking abilities. Our therapy serivces can be received in conjunction with EIDT for the children who require short- or long-term intervention, or we can provide outpatient therapy for children who are not enrolled in the preschool centers.
Our licensed healthcare professionals include speech therapists, occupational therapists, and speech-language pathologists who maintain a high standard of service and quality. They are highly skilled, state-licensed, and maintain continuing education requirements for their area of expertise.
Upon receiving a pediatrician’s referral, we conduct a thorough evaluation to map out a personalized treatment plan for your child. To evaluate your child’s need for therapeutic services they will need to participate in a standardized assessment administered by a licensed and certified therapist.
Our therapists are well equipped to meet the needs of our students and work alongside teachers and parents to achieve maximum results.
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)
Applied behavior analysis (ABA) is a therapy based on the science of learning and behavior. Behavior analysis allows us to understand how behavior works, how behavior is affected by the environment, and how learning takes place. Understanding how behavior works in real situations allows us to reinforce behaviors that are favorable and decrease behaviors that are harmful or affect the ability to learn.
ABA therapy can help:
Increase communication skills
Improve attention, focus, social skills, memory, and academic skills
Decrease problem behaviors
At Building Bridges, we use ABA therapy for children who have formally been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The diagnosis must come from 2 of the 3:
Physician
Psychologist (PhD level)
Speech-Language Pathologist
Reach out to our program staff for enrollment and referral information!
Arkansas Autism Partnership (Autism Waiver)
The Arkansas Autism Partnership (AW) is the Medicaid waiver program for young children with a formal diagnosis of ASD between the ages of 18 months and 8 years (must be accepted and begin the program before the fifth birthday to be eligible).
The program provides intensive (20-25 hours per week) intervention in natural environments where children have skill development and/or behavioral needs.
Most services are delivered in the home during evenings and weekends to ensure the parent is part of the team along with interventionist and trained therapist.
