ATWATER PARK CENTER
3370 Perlita Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90039
(323) 666-1377 phone
(323) 666-9186 fax


About Atwater Park Center
                        At one time,
                 children with
          developmental
   disabilities were removed from life's mainstream, limiting their chances for social and intellectual interaction with the outside world. Today, the prevailing educational philosophy holds that children with a range of functional abilities benefit when brought together in a single, comprehensive program.

In the Atwater Park Center program, kids without special needs develop empathy and compassion for their peers with disbilities. Children with special needs receive individually tailored support to insure active participation in all aspects of programming.




Helping Families
and Kids Thrive
in a Mainstreamed,
Natural Environment 		Atwater Park Center has provided programs for special-needs children since 1968. Currently, the program is vendored with the State Department of Developmental Services and has received grants from the City of Los Angeles and the Lanterman Regional Center. Located in a church, Atwater Park Center brims with community activities, such as seniors' lunch and Head Start programs. As a result, children enjoy a real-world, community-oriented environment.

Program philosophy stems from the belief that it is the emotional life of a child in relation to those around them that "fuels the engine" of overall development in all domains. Trained professionals from the fields of education, child development, psychology, speech and occupational and physical therapy provide guidance and support.

Atwater offers a variety of programs in many environments.

Some services are center-based. At the center's facility, children spend from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on weekdays in play and other exercises designed to develop cognitive, sensory, motor and social skills.
A Multidisciplinary
Approach to Growth,
Learning Based on
the Individual Child 		Devoted volunteers and trainees from a variety of disciplines participate throughout the week. Structured playtime is complemented with field trips, special events and weekly visitors who provide interesting activities to broaden the child's scope of experience. Home-based services are provided for infants and caregivers when appropriate.













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In addition to center- and home-based intervention for children, Atwater Park Center provides multiple support services to families. This stems from the belief that to assist a child, the entire family's needs must be kept in mind. The center's goal is to provide families with tools to enchance their child's development, and this is accomplished through case-management services, and group support and education for parents. Working with the child's caregivers helps ensure that the experience and skills the child gains at the center are integrated into life at home.

Children and caregivers also gather for an intensive play-based workshop, Playtime Partners. This program strengthens the caregiver-child relationship with enriched play activities that can be done at home. In addition, parents receive just the right amount of coaching to help children succeed among disabled and non-disabled peers.


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