Sunflower Development Center

As Thanksgiving approaches, I have been thinking about what this past year has looked like behind the scenes at Sunflower. There were moments of growth, moments of challenge, and so many moments where our team showed what it truly means to care for others. I think about the early mornings when staff are setting up materials before anyone else arrives. I think about the creativity I see during sessions, the teamwork, and the kindness you show each other on the long days. I think about the laughter I hear from the playrooms and the problem-solving that happens in quick conversations between rooms. These are the things that make Sunflower what it is. To every person on our team, thank you. Your work is meaningful. The way you show up for the children and for one another is the heart of this place. You make Sunflower a center I am proud of every single day. As we head into the holiday, I hope you each take a moment to breathe, to rest, and to recognize the impact you make. You deserve that and more. Happy Thanksgiving to all of you. I am grateful for our team, for your dedication, and for the light you bring into this work. -Kate

Naturalistic teaching isn’t just a method. It’s how we make learning stick. When skills are only taught at a table in a contrived setting with perfect materials and timing, that’s often the only place they show up. But our kids don’t live at the table. They live in messy, real, beautiful, chaotic moments at home, in the car, on the playground, in line at Target. That’s why we use naturalistic and incidental teaching strategies. Because • Communication should happen when a child wants something, not just when we prompt it • Social skills are most meaningful when they’re learned with peers • Generalization doesn’t happen by accident. It happens through intentional, flexible teaching Naturalistic teaching respects the child’s motivation. It builds autonomy. And it often leads to faster, more functional learning, the kind that improves quality of life for both the child and their family. Is it harder? Absolutely. It takes more clinical judgment, more staff training, and more support. But it’s worth it. We don’t just teach skills. We teach meaningful skills, where they matter most.

Sunflower Development Center is 2.5 years old! 🌻 When we first opened our doors, we had one BCBA, a big dream, and a passion for supporting families through high-quality, child-led care. Fast forward 2.5 years, and we’ve grown into a multidisciplinary team of: 7 BCBAs 3 Speech-Language Pathologists 1 Occupational Therapist A Director of People & Operations A Clinical Director A dedicated team of RBTs, operational staff, and so many incredible humans behind the scenes We now serve over 50 families across our center and home-based program. Every step of the way, our mission has stayed the same: to provide compassionate, evidence-based services that center the child, support the family, and honor neurodiversity. Thank you to the staff, families, and partners who believe in what we do. Here’s to continued growth, collaboration, and brighter days ahead for every Sunflower.

We’re #hiring. We have an opening for a BCBA here at our center!