Professional Center for Child Development

CONTACT:

32 Osgood Street
Andover, MA 01810
(978) 475-3806
theprofessionalcenter.org

Veryl D. Anderson, Executive Director

DESCRIPTION:

A child's early years are the most crucial for learning and developing, but not all children advance easily. The Professional Center for Child Development (PCDR) in Andover works to provide educational and therapeutic services to disabled children and their families in the Greater Merrimack Valley. Its dedicated staff of professionals and volunteers educates families about current medical research, resources and laws that can help their children. They provide the children with educational and therapeutic programs, and parents with support groups and social events to give families respite from the day-to-day challenges of raising a special needs child.

PCDR provides early intervention services to children with conditions ranging from cerebral palsy to hearing problems to autism. More than 60 percent of its childdren live below the poverty line. It aims to measure success "one smile, one step, and one word, at a time." Such small achievements mean so much in the lives of these children, and you can help them.

(2001: HUMAN SERVICES: Children and Youth: General)