Since 1974, The Children’s Center for Communication and Development has led Mississippi in early intervention services for infants, toddlers and preschoolers with significant disabilities.

Today, The Children’s Center is a full service, intensive, transdisciplinary program that occupies more than 3,000 square feet and directly serves over 90 children and their families from as many as 22 South Mississippi counties. The children served represent a range of disabilities that include various communication and developmental disorders, such as Down syndrome, hearing impairment, cerebral palsy, autism, Rett syndrome, traumatic brain injuries, aphasia, apraxia, and conditions related to premature birth.

In addition to providing innovative and exemplary direct services, The Children’s Center provides preprofessional training to Southern Miss students and to students from other universities as well as community and junior colleges. Disciplines that are supported at The Children’s Center include: speech-language pathology, audiology, special education, physical therapy, occupational therapy, behavior therapy, nursing, recreational therapy, and music therapy.

The Children’s Center staff also provide on and offsite training to practicing clinical and educational professionals from around Mississippi.

Through The Children’s Center’s direct services, preprofessional and professional training, ad hoc consultations, and interagency collaboration and partnerships, thousands of children with disabilities are better served each year throughout Mississippi and our region.