About
Each year, hundreds of babies in the central Alabama area are born prematurely, or with spina bifida, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, and a variety of other genetic disorders. These disorders are often accompanied by physical and mental challenges that jeopardize the health and development of these children.
The Bell Center offers early intervention services to children at risk for delay, often within a few days or weeks after birth. Parents often feel a sense of helplessness when they discover their child has special needs; however, the Bell Center staff and volunteers are able to provide them with specific information and encouragement allowing parents to move from a sense of confusion, to a deep pride in their children’s accomplishments and optimism for the future.
Programs at The Bell Center are designed to promote growth in gross and fine motor skills, as well as language, cognition, self-help, and play skills. Each child is evaluated annually, and goals are tailored specifically to the child’s needs. The Bell Center employs a staff of highly qualified professionals including physical and occupational therapists, speech/language pathologists, and early childhood special education teachers who work directly with infants and toddlers in many programs while directing the efforts of volunteers who work with toddlers in other programs.
For more than 25 years, The Bell Center for Early Intervention Programs has provided treatment for children with special needs through its therapy programs. The program has provided dramatic results for the more than 1,000 children who have participated since its inception.