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When my son was six months old, a family member made an offhand comment: “Your baby is so serious; he laughs but doesn’t smile.” What seemed like an innocent remark that most parents might easily dismiss struck a deeper chord with me. It validated a concern I felt since the moment my son was born, a worry I couldn’t quite articulate.
Despite reassurances from his pediatrician and other medical professionals that my son was meeting all developmental milestones and that my concerns were unfounded, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was amiss. Determined to understand, I began researching professionals who could provide a formal evaluation to help us make sense of my concerns.
We were highly recommended to Dr. Diane Cullinane, former Executive Director of PCDA. She took the time, over several days, to thoroughly interview our family about our concerns and engage in family play sessions, building a strong rapport with our son. When she was ready to share her diagnosis, she provided us with a comprehensive understanding—not just of what the diagnosis was, but also of what it wasn’t. She explained how we could support our son and how therapy could leverage his strengths while addressing his areas of need.
Following our positive experience, we naturally chose to begin Floortime therapy with PCDA. For two years, our Developmental Interventionist, Helen Lara, became an integral part of our family—her presence always brought smiles when she walked into our home. I can directly attribute many of our son’s successes to the incredible work we did with PCDA.
Despite our son eventually graduating from PCDA, when the opportunity arose to support the organization through service on the Board of Directors, it was an easy decision. PCDA has not only made an enormous difference in our family’s life but has also positively impacted countless other families. I am proud to serve an organization that goes above and beyond in its commitment to helping children thrive. Being part of the board allows me to give back to an organization that played a crucial role in our son’s journey and to help ensure that many more families continue to benefit from the exceptional support and care that PCDA provides.
I invite you to join me in supporting PCDA. There are many ways to impact the work of this life-changing organization! Consider making a financial gift, joining a committee or sharing your own PCDA journey. Whether volunteering, donating, or simply spreading the word about PCDA’s incredible work your involvement makes us stronger. Together, we can make a difference for even more children and families.
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