Ozark Living

24 • S E P T E M B E R 2023 • O Z A R K L I V I N G By Karen Rice | Ozark Living With over 51 years in continuous service, Stepping Stone has become more than just a school for special needs children; it has become a comprehensive service provider to people with developmental/intellectual disabilities and their families in the greater Crawford County area. Every child can and does learn! Children at Stepping Stone School, are nurtured, taught and loved well by caring therapists and competent teachers. Parents and teachers work together to help these little ones face their unimaginable challenges with courage and determination. Many also face the challenge of coming from financially disadvantaged homes. While this may limit their access to some of the big pay institutions, nothing limits their access to the school with the most effective program in Arkansas. Stepping Stone's Therapeutic Preschool is the only nonprofit, full-time school of its kind in the area. They offer educational training, a full array of nursing services, speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy and behavior management, as well as family case management and training. Their Infant Care Program, for ages 6 months to 2 years, serves at-risk infants due to premature birth or low-birth weight as well as those born with Down syndrome or other developmental disorders. This represents an opportunity to begin meeting the needs of children at the earliest possible time, thereby eliminating or significantly reducing their risk for later developmental difficulties. Today, Stepping Stone provides services to around 275 children on their beautiful Alma campus. These are children that deserve the same opportunities offered to all children. Opportunities to dream, learn, laugh and play. With 90% of brain development occurring in the first five years of life, early assessment and intervention is critical. Parents, educators and therapists certainly have their work cut out for them. Stepping Stone leads success results in the state of Arkansas. Research shows an average of 8% of children transitioning from similar programs in Arkansas require full-day special education classes. Last year, less than 1% of children who transitioned from Stepping Stone School required full-day special education classes in their public school. This low percentage places them in the top percentile of A Stepping Stone to a brighter future

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