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Fact

Early-childhood trauma can lead to memory problems and mental and cognitive declines later in life because early emotional stress can lead to a slow decline in neuron communication within the brain, particularly in the region associated with learning and memory recall. (JN, 2005)

Early Childhood Center

EARLY INTERVENTION IS KEY

Ozark Guidance believes that the strength of our communities lies in the strength of our families. The Early Childhood Center was developed to provide a source of early intervention for families with children from birth to 5 years of age who need therapeutic help. We offer early intervention/prevention, outpatient, community-based, and day treatment services.

THE GUIDANCE WE GIVE

The Early Childhood Center believes in taking a holistic approach to early intervention, prevention, and treatment. This approach is inclusive of parents working with a board certified child & adolescent psychiatrist, nurse, therapists, and paraprofessionals.

Early intervention/prevention services are offered through a partnership grant with the Division of Early Childcare and Early Childhood Education. The early intervention/ prevention initiative provides early childhood mental health consultation to several community preschools.

The Outpatient Program provides therapy services in an office setting at Ozark Guidance, which can include paraprofessional support in the home and/or child’s school setting.

The Community-Based Program offers therapeutic services in your home, preschools, or other community sources. The ECC has partnered with area Head Start Programs and Public Pre-Kindergarten programs to facilitate access to our services.

The Day Treatment Program is a full-day preschool that incorporates both quality educational and therapeutic services, with a certified teacher, for children with a high level of therapeutic need.

SPECIALIZED TREATMENT

The staff of the Early Childhood Center is highly trained in the areas of family therapy, childhood development, and behavior management in order to bring about positive change in the home and school settings. Additional speech, occupational, and physical therapies are offered when necessary.

A strong focus of therapy at the Early Childhood Center is on Play Therapy. Play is the child’s natural way of communicating just as talking is to adults.

HOW DOES PLAY THERAPY WORK?

Special toys help the children say things that they may have difficulty saying with words. Trained play therapists understand what is being communicated through play. The child begins to feel better because the feelings have been released.

DOES MY CHILD NEED PLAY THERAPY?

Most children experience difficulty coping at some time and exhibit behaviors which concern parents and teachers.

If you, the child’s teacher, or physician is concerned about behavior or difficulty adjusting contact the Early Childhood Center.