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What is DDS?
DDS provides assistance and support to adults and
children that exhibit a developmental delay. DDS has
a state of the art facility to provide pre-school
programs for children, as well as home based care.
In addition, DDS offers programs that are "designed
to promote acceptance and equality for those with
developmental delays or physical disabilities"
and a number of programs for adults with special needs.
All of DDS programs are free to the families and individuals
involved.
DDS was formed in 1961 by a group of concerned parents
and was originally focused on children with Cerebral
Palsy. The founders wanted to make sure that there
would be services in Lebanon County for their children,
as well as support for parents. As the agency grew,
it opened up to helping children with any developmental
delay or disability.
DDS programs are referral based, although they do
have many outreach services available to parents and
individuals who feel that they or their children may
have an undiagnosed delay. These services include
a comprehensive research library at the DDS Resource
Center, a traveling ELKS nurse, who visits families
in a home setting to serve as a resource for families,
and programs within the community to raise awareness
and acceptance of developmental delays and physical
disabilities.
-Art from DDS Adult Art program, Brave Art
Child Services
In the state of Pennsylvania any child that exhibits
a 25% delay in development is entitled to Free Intervention
Services. There are a number of reasons for these
delays, including Spina Bifida, Autism, Cerebral Palsy.
Children are referred to DDS by The
Pennsylvania Department of Mental Health and Mental
Retardation (MHMR). With early intervention children,
therapists often begin seeing children in the home
setting from the time that they come home from the
hospital. Early Intervention is critical for a child’s
development. Therapists are able to work with the
children on their communication, fine motor skills,
social and emotional thinking skills, and gross motor
skills. Therapists are also able to help parents create
developmentally appropriate activities and set up
their homes for a child with special needs.
When children turn three, some will
transition to Center Based Programs. DDS has a state
of the art facility and offers pre-school for children
from age 3 to 5 (although some students stay until
they are 6). The children attend a specialized pre-school
for 2 and a half hours Monday through Thursday year
round. The goal is to prepare the students for attending
integrated elementary school. DDS's facilities include
state of the art classrooms, a high ratio of staff
to students, and indoor and outdoor playgrounds with
specialized equipment.
Children with and without disabilities
are integrated into the classroom. This program is
beneficial to both sets of students. For the students
without disabilities, or "typical" students,
attending pre-school at DDS often gives them more
one on one contact with teachers as well as increased
empathy and compassion for those who learn differently.
Having an integrated classroom is important for the
program because it encourages peer to peer modeling
and learning.
Two years ago, DDS began the Summer
Stars day camp. These camps are for school age children
and offer a chance for children of all abilities to
develop social skills, abilities and to have fun in
a safe environment. The program benefits from having
a staff of professionals and by having adult and high
school volunteers who are available during all camp
activities to assist students on a one on one, or
"buddy system" basis.
Job Coaching
Each year, DDS serves adults with special
challenges to help them achieve greater levels of
independence and self confidence. DDS's Competitive
Employment Program empowers persons with disabilities
to access, learn and maintain employment with businesses
in Lebanon County. The program currently serves 55
adults, many of whom have been involved in the program
for more than 15 years.
The program is instrumental in helping adults with
disabilities achieve independence. A real paycheck
can help clients purchase a home or pay rent in order
to live independently.
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For
more information on this incredible agency:
Visit their informative website:
http://www.ddslebanon.org/
Call or write DDS today!
717-274-3493 · 717-274-1304 FAX
Developmental and Disability Services
1126 Walnut Street,
Lebanon, PA 17042
email: executivedirector@ddslebanon.org
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