Ability KC’s early childhood programming provides two settings to choose from when planning for services that best fit your child’s and family’s needs—the Mary Shaw Branton Therapeutic Preschool and our pediatric outpatient medical rehabilitation services. Both programs provide highly qualified professionals to assist children with complex disabilities in developing their physical, social, communicative, emotional, and cognitive abilities.
Nationally accredited by NAEYC, and state licensed, our early education therapeutic preschool classrooms offer a caring, inclusive environment that provide children ages 1 to 5 years old with a wide range of medical, therapeutic, and educational services. By delivering therapeutic services within an age-appropriate and natural environment, our highly experienced team can help young children of all abilities maximize their potential. Ability KC’s inclusive classrooms bring together children with disabilities and their typically developing peers, fostering an environment of mutual growth and understanding. Our high staff-to-child ratio ensures exceptional, individualized care and support for each child. Additionally, our team of therapists collaborates with classroom staff to deliver a holistic experience, tailored to the unique goals of every child.
CARF accredited, Ability KC’s early education outpatient services provide the same level of expert care for families who are navigating life with a disability in a play-based, one-on-one setting. In this specialized program, children from birth to 8 years of age are provided with physical therapy, speech-language pathology, and occupational therapy.
These therapy services provide the perfect adjunct to school or home-based therapy sessions. Ability KC therapists will set up a plan for each child that will complement and reinforce their current therapeutic intervention for gross motor skills, fine motor skills, and speech and language.
With outpatient therapy services for physical, occupational and speech rehabilitation available at the Ability KC therapeutic preschool there is no need to juggle multiple therapy appointments at different locations.
5%
Re-hospitalization rate (11% below the national average)
3,000
Over 3,000 patients and families served annually
$5 Million
$5 million in uncompensated, at-cost services for under-resourced individuals and families.
250
Medical and vocational professionals
Get more details about the program and other services offered through Ability KC by reading through one of our available program handbooks.
Our Approach to Therapeutic Preschool in Kansas City
The first step to receiving care through Ability KC is to connect with a case manager. Our experienced and highly trained case managers serve as advocates and guide children and their families throughout their journey at Ability KC. They’ll be able to connect you with the appropriate care team and plan based on your specific needs and individual goals.
Whether your child is participating in the therapeutic classroom setting or receiving outpatient services, the goal of every team member is helping your child to become more independent and successful in their community and with life’s important transitions. To do this, specialized care teams, which include family members, develop a customized plan of care that emphasizes building the child’s strengths and coping with differing abilities.
Our teachers and therapists are specially trained to address a wide variety of educational, medical and therapeutic diagnoses, with successful transition to any school or community environment as our goal. To achieve this goal, families are encouraged to get involved early and to partner with us in preparing your child for the journey ahead as we address each child’s individual developmental needs while celebrating what makes them unique.
Our classroom structure follows the Creative Curriculum. This curriculum is closely aligned with the Missouri Early Learning Standards to ensure that children who transition from our program to the public school system are ready to meet the challenges of school-aged curriculum.
From a social-emotional-behavioral perspective, we implement the Conscious Discipline approach, which promotes developmentally appropriate practices for children of all abilities. All of our practices are trauma-informed and our children benefit greatly from these varied approaches, ensuring a rich learning environment for every child.
Children
Ability KC offers pediatric disability services for young children living with both congenital and acquired disabilities, while also working closely with their families to create a customized plan to meet individual goals. Services include our outpatient medical rehabilitation program, therapeutic preschool, summer programming, and much more.
Families / Caretakers
Collaboration with family members and caretakers is a major aspect of the therapeutic preschool and outpatient rehabilitation program at Ability KC. Our care teams will collaborate with those caring for the child to ensure that their voices are heard and that the child is set up for successful transitions.
Start your journey with Ability KC by using our online “Build Your Plan” tool, or feel free to reach out to our team regarding any questions or comments you may have.
Case Study
Emmanuel
Through physical, occupational, and speech therapies, as well as the Applied Behavior Analysis program, Emmanuel began making progress toward all of his goals.
His speech and communication skills increased tremendously, taking Emmanuel from being nearly non-verbal to being able to put words together, sign or use his assistive device when appropriate.
Case Study
Emmaus
Emmaus was diagnosed with Tuberous Sclerosis Complex just before her third birthday.
At three years old she was also diagnosed with Autism. Emmaus then started the therapeutic preschool program at Ability KC. Things that had been overwhelming like scanning a room to find an object, and knowing routines and rhythms, are now possible because of the ABA program.
Case Study
Harper
With a diagnosis of a rare and severely progressive epilepsy condition, Ohtahara syndrome, Harper was never expected to make it to his first birthday.
He was not expected to communicate with his family or move independently. This year, Harper will turn nine years old.
100% of students successfully transitioned to their next educational setting and 95% of children gained the skills to play with friends their same age.
Ability KC’s Therapeutic Preschool is a NAEYC-accredited and state-licensed Peer Model preschool with a rich history of serving children of all abilities.
With a 1:4 student-to-teacher ratio within the Therapeutic Preschool in Kansas City, children are assured valuable opportunities for one-on-one development from a highly qualified instructor.
The Mary Shaw Branton Therapeutic Preschool in Kansas City includes all of the following:
For children with additional needs, we provide integrated therapy services both inside and outside the classroom to ensure each child reaches their personal goals.
Tuition may be paid privately, through state subsidy or state assistance, or by Early Head Start funding.
If your child is to receive speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, or aquatic therapy, they will typically receive these services throughout the school day. Therapies may occur inside the classroom or in therapy treatment areas.
With a rich history that spans over 75 years, Ability KC has provided services that have helped change and shape the lives of thousands.
Our organization is proud to serve over 3,000 individuals with disabilities and their families annually, and we’ll continue to work tirelessly to help the members of our community reach their greatest potential.
