"The UCLA Intervention Program changed everything for our son Gabriel. He was born more than 3 months premature and had a host of medical issues that kept him in the NICU for more than 4 months. He was delayed in just about every realm and metric. The UCLA Intervention program was the first team of individuals we met outside of the hospital setting who genuinely understood what it means to care for a child with extra needs. Gabriel’s first exposure to other children, and to other adults who didn’t intend to poke or prod or study him, was at the UCLA Intervention Program. He has learned so many skills, but equally as importantly we were taught so many skills as his parents to keep advancing Gabriel even when he wasn’t at “school”. The people working at the Intervention Program are some of the most caring, knowledgeable, and patient people we have ever met in any walk of life. They are our angels, looking out for our son and for our family. They made special accommodations at basically any time his medical needs have changed, e.g. picking out areas to plug in our oxygen concentrator, getting him involved in mealtime even though he is G-tube dependent, spending extra time with him when he had significant anxiety about separating from his primary caregivers etc. The instructors and administrators at the Intervention program have also helped us to advocate for care and services even outside of their walls. At the Intervention Program, we have also found a network and a community of parents who have navigated the same obstacles that we have, and no longer feel alone in our struggles or our triumphs. It is impossible to count how many ways our son’s life and our lives have been positively impacted by this program, and I know the trajectory of our son’s abilities and how he interacts with the world was built on a foundation laid at the UCLA Intervention Program."
 
—Michael Wolfe

"I am the mother of a young boy who was diagnosed with Autism at one and a half years old. We were very lucky to find the UCLA intervention program. It proved to be completely transformational for my son. He began the program significantly delayed, and through the program he was able to learn play skills, and a great deal of language. It also helped familiarize him with a classroom setting and routines, which has been incredibly helpful in terms of self-regulation, and preparation for the future. The staff and program director are extremely knowledgeable and compassionate – I can't say enough good things! The program is an invaluable resource for any child with special needs."

—Anne M.

"Having Caleb in the UCLA IP meant that for 2 years I didn't have any anxiety or stress about where he was going to school. I knew that every day he would be surrounded by adults who cared about him and showed him love.
When Caleb started with the UCLA Intervention Program I had no idea what he would be able to do or accomplish. He was on and off oxygen, he wasn't able to crawl, and every day felt like we were just trying to survive. But Caleb's teachers weren't focusing on just survival, they were figuring out how to help him to thrive. They taught Caleb how to make choices, how to love music, and how to be a part of a classroom community. Within the structures and routines of the classroom, Caleb learned to be independent and successful.
Before Caleb started going to the toddler program he couldn't separate from me. He would cry if I tried to put him down or pay attention to his older siblings. But by the time he graduated, Caleb would crawl as fast as he could to the classroom door in the morning and knock on the door eager to see his teachers and get started. Caleb knew that some of his biggest fans were in that room and he couldn't wait to go see them.
 
The UCLA IP also showed me what Caleb was capable of. This experience has been my anchor in all of his IEPs because I can point concretely to the type of classroom Caleb will thrive in and I know how to ask for what he needs."
 
—Anna Carlstone Hurst

"The UCLA Intervention Program has done wonders for our family. It is a place where my child is safe, medically, and able to experience a hands-on classroom setting while continuing to strive to close the gap between his knowledge and skills with those of his peers. The UCLA Intervention Program met my child where he was in all aspects and, for us, this has been the most useful of opportunities we could have provided him.

A medically fragile child is something no one is ever prepared for and is often isolating. With the help of the UCLA Intervention Program, we learned what tools were available for our disposal along with what to look forward to in our child’s educational career - something that seemed to be overwhelmingly daunting and uncertain. We also had the opportunity to get to know other student’s parents who, similarly, have children who need some extra support and were going through similar experiences. For our child, the Program gave him the space to learn and grow while being safe and considerate of his medical struggles - he’s made friends who have a GTube just like him and who have gone through several sleep studies in order to free themselves of oxygen support - showing him he is not alone or so different. The staff has been involved in his learning of a structured classroom setting but also in giving us the tools to further help him succeed. It is here my child learned how to follow directions, speak, walk, hold chalk and be friendly with others; he learned how to play pretend and eat in front of others, among other things. The staff challenge him so he can realize his potential and cheer on his successes."
 
—Nuphar
"Our twin boys were referred to the program by their Pediatrician for Speech delay.
Within 3 months we noticed a big change in their vocabulary, they started to talk more and more and more. What we loved about this program is that not only did they help them with speech, they were able to help them in other areas that have impacted their lives in a more positive way. They loved being in a structured environment and loved having a schedule.
Everything that the program provided, including the sign language made a big powerful impact. The staff is professional, attentive, and they really show that they care for the kids. And they are so clean! They make sure that the kids are constantly washing their hands when coming back into their classroom. They also are constantly wiping down the tables, as the kids transition to different areas.
One of the biggest benefits as a parent is that when you’re away from the class you can stream the class via web, and this allowed me to learn how I could continue to do what the teachers did in class at home when my twins were not at school. They sing, they dance, they color, the list goes on, I wish it did not have to end at 3yo. We are forever grateful! A big shout out to Crystal and her team, we miss them so much!"
 
—Twin Parents

"The UCLA Intervention Program was instrumental in my son’s early Autism treatment. My son was diagnosed non-verbal at the age of 17 months. Through UCLA, my son grew confident and learned cornerstone communication techniques that helped him learn to speak, sign and share his needs. I credit this program with so much of his progress and am forever grateful."

—Danielle Robinson

"My son attended this program for 10 months through the Regional Center and it has been an amazing experience for him and for our family. My only regret is that we did not discover this program was available sooner – ask your service coordinator at the Regional Center and fight to be enrolled!

Top 3 reasons to enroll your child at the UCLA Early Intervention Program:
1) His teachers (Sevan, Jennifer, Crystal, Polly) and the administrators (Dane, Maria) are
all the most knowledgeable and compassionate individuals.
2) This program has been the model for a great many other similar education programs
around the country. The student to teacher ratio is amazing (typically 2:1 or better).
3) The relationships you form with other parents in similar situations as you and the
knowledge sharing that you will gain. You are not alone!

My son made marked progress in speech, feeding, and social skills during his time here. The structured classroom setting they provide was invaluable to helping my son thrive and transition successfully in a classroom. He made friends and loved going to school!

If you have a child with special needs who is between the ages of 0-3, I highly recommend that you look into this program. It is worth your time & investment!"

—Mother, West Los Angeles

"Our journey at the UCLA Intervention program was honestly life changing. We had our twins at 23 weeks and 5 days. They were 1.12 pounds and 1.6 pounds at birth and spent over six months in the hospital. Lucily Lane and Logan are both thriving today and we know a lot of that had to do with our time at the UCLA Intervention Program. We live 2 and half hours away and I would still drive down once a week for thier therapies. They worked with my twins and when a group setting was giving them the best benefit they switched to a one on one plaform and it worked wonders. At the end of our time there when my twins turned three they had come so far. They sat down, followed every instruction given and were learning words, sign language and simple tasks. They are now seven and in 1st grade and doing wonderful and I know its partly because of our time at the UCLA Intervention Program. We can't thank them enough!"

—Katrina Licon

"We cannot say enough positive things about the UCLA Intervention Program. The only issue we have is that we didn't find them sooner! This is an incredible well-thought out and executed program for all children. If only this type of program were offered for all kids! Sydney started in their infant parent & me program. Not only was it great for her to be around other kids, but it was also a great resource for her parents. We met other parents and had regular dialogue with the PT and OT, who have a wealth of knowledge to offer. We are big proponents of early intervention, and this program was fantastic. After graduating from the infant program, Sydney moved on to the toddler program, which was three days a week. It was fantastic! After a parent & me component, parents got to observe their children in class through a one-way mirror, and Sydney was allowed to work through separation issues and being alone without Mom. It definitely prepared her for preschool and taught her so much. The UCLA Intervention specialists felt like family and treated us like family. In addition to all class things, they helped us figure out preschool and through our IEP process with LAUSD. We love everyone at this program and are SO grateful we had the opportunity to be a part of it! Thank you!!! Lots of love."

—Sydney Rosenblum & family 

"The UCLA Early Intervention Program has played an important role in my daughter's development. My daugther started in the infant program when she was 10 months old after being diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder at birth. All of the teachers and therapists were friendly and welcoming to our family. They saw where my daughters strengths and challenges were and tailored various activites in the classroom and outside so she could feel successful. Each week we would work on building on a new skill to keep her challeged but also not overwhelmed. My daughter is now 18 months old, is pratically running, has about 25 consistant words, uses a spoon/ fork to feed herself, and best of all feels confident in herself.

I thought a Zoom class for infants would be impossible, but the UCLA Virtual Program has done an amazing job at keep the kids and parents engaged. My daughter loves to see all her classmates on the computer and scream “baby!”. She will stay engaged with the songs (most of the time) and enjoys looking at the pages of the books that are read. The repeated schedule of events is helpful and now my daughter knows to find her star for the Twinkle Twinkle song and the hand movements to the Bye Bye song. As parent, the class has been a great source of information on activites to do with our kids at home, development questions and a community for parents to share their trials, tribulations and successes they have found during Covid. I am very appreciative to everyone at UCLA Intervention for keeping this program going!"

—Sarah Schmidt, Mother in Culver City

"The success of the remote class in the UCLA Intervention Program does not rely on the recreation of the exact already-wonderful in-person classroom, but to actualize effective teaching and multi-directional communication among children, teachers, and parents. The ingenuity of incorporating music, story telling, body movement, tabletop activities, and even snack time, into the class, enhances our learning in such a structural and creative space, which can only be realized by such a professional team."

—Isaac's Mom