Association of Child Development Specialists
Los Angeles
About Us
The Association of Child Development Specialists is a professional organization for those who foster the adaptive development of children through creative programming, preventive intervention, and public advocacy. ACDS joins together Child Development professionals whose focus is to facilitate the adaptive development of children in the various environments that constitute their life experiences, including home, school, play, and therapeutic settings. The Child Development Specialist represents a discipline that uses a psycho-educational approach to therapy encompassing both prevention and intervention. This specialty includes evaluating a child’s developmental status, planning and coordinating an intervention program, providing direct counseling for children and their families, advising parents, and collaborating and consulting with other child service providers.
Philosophy
Given that children are not born equal in physical endowment, social status, economic circumstances, exposure to a nurturing environment, or opportunities for success, ACDS strives to assure that every child has continuity of access to the sources of support that make possible a sense of vigor, effectiveness and confidence throughout the growing years.
Objectives
To establish and maintain standards for the Child Development Specialist profession. To provide services to ACDS members such as job referral and placement, training and continuing education, and professional meetings. To act as an advocate for children and children’s rights.
Our Members
Child Development Specialists represent a diversity of backgrounds and professions. Our membership includes teachers, therapists, social workers, administrators, consultants, researchers and lobbyists, working in a variety of settings – homes, schools, hospitals and clinics, public and private agencies – all with the goal of promoting children’s adaptive development. Pediatricians, social workers, teachers, psychiatrists, hospital personnel and legal representatives are making use of Child Development Specialists in ever-increasing numbers. As a professional organization, we have already begun to make a difference in the lives of young children.