Our Care

The First Roots Program offers individualized treatment in a classroom like setting with individual and small-group learning opportunities for children ages 12 months to 6 years. Treatment and consultation is provided by a multidisciplinary team including a social worker, board certified behavior analysts, an educational specialist and a speech and occupational therapist. Treatment goals target functional communication and language development, social reciprocity, adaptive behavior, emotional-regulation, play, and fine and gross motor skills as well as sensory needs.

What makes the First Roots Therapeutic Day Program special is that we provide an enriched, caring and naturalistic therapeutic environment where children with special needs receive intensive intervention services. Our multidisciplinary team will work together with each parent to identify their child’s unique needs and develop individualized treatment goals. All treatment goals are implemented in an environment that mirrors that of a preschool including our indoor learning spaces, sensory room and our spacious natural playground. Each of our learning areas have been carefully designed to allow children to connect with one another and build meaningful relationships.

The First Roots Therapeutic Day Program meets children’s developmental needs in one of four classrooms, as well as in smaller learning environments for children who need time to acclimate to a classroom setting.

Children ages 12 months to 3 years of age are placed in the Roots Classroom. At this stage, children are learning to navigate separating from parents, early language and communication, as well as parallel and toy play. Children are also developing their fine and gross motor skills as well as their comfort with various sensory aspects of their environment. Additionally, treatment targets adaptive behavior such as feeding and transition skills. Children spend time outside at Amelia’s yard, in the classroom and at our occupational therapy & sensory room. Goals are targeted during engaging play-based activities.

Children ages 2 to 3 years of age are placed in the Seedlings Group. At this stage, children are continuing to learn to navigate early language and communication skills as well as emerging cooperative and thematic play. Children are also continuing to develop their fine and gross motor skills as well as their comfort with various sensory aspects of their environment. Additionally, treatment targets adaptive behavior such as toileting, feeding and transition skills. Children spend time outside at Amelia’s yard, in the classroom and at our occupational therapy & sensory room. Goals are targeted during engaging play-based activities.

Children ages 2-years 5-months to 4 years of age are placed in the Sprouts Group. At this stage children are learning to navigate more complex language, communication, imitation and social emotional skills. They are developing imaginative play and are beginning to engage in cooperative play with peers. Children are also refining their fine and gross motor skills as well as their comfort with various sensory aspects of their environment. Additionally, treatment targets adaptive behavior such as toileting, feeding and transition skills. The Sprouts spend time outside at Amelia’s yard, in the classroom and at our occupational therapy & sensory room. Goals are targeted during engaging play-based activities.

Children ages 4 to 6 years of age who are preparing to transition into kindergarten in the near future are placed in the Buds Group. At this stage children are continuing to develop complex language and communication skills as well as more advanced imaginative and cooperative play.

Children continue to refine their fine and gross motor skills as well as their comfort with various sensory aspects of their environment. Additionally, treatment targets pre-academic and adaptive behavior skills such as toileting and feeding and prepares children to transition into kindergarten. The Buds spend time outside at Amelia’s yard, in the classroom and at our occupational therapy & sensory room. Goals are targeted during engaging play-based activities.

Every child enrolled in the First Roots program receives up to 6 hours of 1:1 intensive behavioral intervention per day. Our Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBA), completes an initial assessment and in collaboration with the caregivers develops treatment goals. These goals are then implemented within the classroom by our behavior technicians who are supported by the classroom teachers and supervised by the BCBAs who are always on site. Supervision includes case conceptualization, problem-solving, observation, treatment planning, and modeling of intervention implementation. The behavior technicians enforce learning programs targeting self-help, communication, emotional regulation and play skills.

Children attending the First Roots program receive 2 to 4, 30 minute individual speech therapy sessions per week. Speech is provided at our speech room. Additionally, our speech therapists consults with our care team during our weekly Care Team Meetings to help ensure integration of care throughout the children’s day at First Roots.

Children who are enrolled in the First Roots program receive 2- 4 individual Occupational therapy (OT) sessions per week in our designated OT gym.  Out OT’s consult with our care team during our weekly care team meetings to ensure integration of care.

Parent/caregiver involvement is crucial in the treatment process. Parents/caregivers are expected to have ongoing consultations scheduled with their BCBA to help us better understand your family and your child’s needs, as well as help us provide helpful strategies that you may use at home. Additionally our entire clinical team meets with parents regularly to review treatment goals and progress.

Parents are also invited to attend a parent group. This group is open to all caregivers of children who are enrolled at the First Roots Program. This group offers a place where parents can connect with other parents around shared experiences, strengthen ties to the sprouted sage community, discuss challenges and also share in the joys of parenting.

All parent/caregiver consultations are done at a scheduled date/time with each family. This could be in person at the center, remotely over zoom or at your home. Please note that due to COVID we are asking that all caregivers stay outside unless they have a previously scheduled appointment.

In order to support children in their school settings, we collaborate with the student’s educational team on the development of behavioral plans, Individualized Education Program (IEP), as well as providing on site support and staff training.