Center for Child Development

10/15/2026

Autism or trauma? Sometimes the signs can look surprisingly similar.

Difficulty regulating emotions, challenges with social interactions, sensory sensitivities, and changes in behavior can sometimes be associated with both autism and trauma.

But while the behaviors may look similar, the reasons behind them can be very different.

Understanding those differences matters when it comes to getting children the support they need.

At The Center for Child Development (CCD), we encourage families to look beyond behaviors and seek a deeper understanding of what their child may be experiencing.

Through our Autism Access Program, we offer comprehensive autism assessments, no waitlist, and sliding-scale payment options to help families access answers and support.

Remember: Similar behaviors don’t always mean the same thing, and autism and trauma can also coexist.

Have questions about your child’s development?

Visit www.ccddelaware.com or call 302-292-1334 to learn more.

Neurodiversity

10/14/2026

Meet Hope Swain, LMSW, one of our therapists at The Center for Child Development.

Hope works with children ages 6 to 12 and teens in Kent County. She sees students in their schools and also offers virtual sessions, so families can choose what fits their schedule.

Her approach draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, play therapy, and Parent-Child Interaction Therapy, which brings parents into the room to build stronger connections with their child. She also uses Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and motivational interviewing with older kids and teens as they figure out what matters to them.

Visit the link in the comments to complete new client paperwork, or call the office at 302-292-1334. We accept most Delaware Medicaid plans, Aetna, and Highmark.

10/13/2026

Meet Dellie Belton-Nichols, MSW, one of our therapists at The Center for Child Development.

Dellie works with children ages 6 to 12, teens, adults, and families. She uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and play therapy in her sessions, and she has experience in grief counseling. If your child or your family is carrying a loss, Dellie can help.

Dellie sees clients virtually in Kent and Sussex counties.

Visit our site (link in the comments) to complete new client paperwork, or call the office at 302-292-1334. We accept most Delaware Medicaid plans, Aetna, and Highmark.

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10/12/2026

Here's something that changes everything once you see it: a tantrum and a meltdown aren't the same.

A tantrum has a goal—it winds down once your child gets what they want or realizes they won't. A meltdown is different. It's a nervous system that's hit its limit, and in that moment your child genuinely can't "just calm down," no matter how much they (or you) want them to.

Once you can tell which one you're dealing with, the hard moments stop feeling like a battle of wills, and you know what helps instead of what makes it worse.

We broke it all down on the blog: Check the comments for the link!

Call now to connect with business.

10/12/2026

Meet Jill Albright, LCSW.

Jill brings 25 years of social work experience to CCD. She works with children ages 6 to 12, adults, and families in school and community settings, partnering with teachers and school staff.

We’re glad she’s on our team.

To get started with CCD, visit the link in the comments to complete new client paperwork, or call the office at 302-292-1334. We accept most Delaware Medicaid plans, Aetna, and Highmark.

10/10/2026

When your child is anxious, your instinct is to protect them from whatever's scaring them. That makes complete sense—and sometimes it quietly makes the worry bigger. The good news is that helping an anxious child build real courage is a learnable skill. Here's what actually helps, and which well-meaning habits are worth rethinking.
Link in comments.

10/10/2026

Every child deserves to be understood, supported, and given the opportunity to thrive. 💙
Meet Shannon, one of our dedicated therapists at The Center for Child Development (CCD), as she shares information about our Autism Access Program and how we’re helping families take the next step toward understanding their child’s unique needs.
We understand that navigating autism assessments can feel overwhelming, which is why we’re working to make the process more accessible for families.
Through our Autism Access Program, we offer:
✔️ Comprehensive autism assessments
✔️ No waitlist
✔️ Sliding-scale payment options to help make assessments more affordable
Early understanding can open the door to meaningful support.
Whether you’re noticing developmental differences or simply have questions about your child’s development, we’re here to help you find answers.
Learn more about our Autism Access Program and take the next step today!
🌐 www.ccddelaware.com
📞 302-292-1334

10/10/2026

💚 Every child deserves to feel heard. Every teen deserves support. Every family deserves a place to turn.
October 10 is World Mental Health Day—a reminder to make space for conversations about how we’re feeling, at home, at school, and in our communities.
Ask questions. Listen with care. Let your child know they can come to you, even when they don’t have the words to explain what’s wrong.
At The Center for Child Development, we’re here to help children, teens, and families take steps toward healing, connection, and growth.
🌐 Explore support at www.ccddelaware.com
Stronger families. Brighter futures. Healthier communities. Let’s keep the conversation going. 💬

10/09/2026

Meet Kayla McCauley, MS, one of our therapists at CCD.

Kayla works with kids from birth through age 17. She uses CBT, DBT, play therapy, PCIT (Parent-Child Interaction Therapy), and trauma-focused approaches. She also holds a certificate in trauma and resilience.

Kayla told us she’s always open to learning a new approach. We love that about her.

To get started, visit www.ccddelaware.com to complete new client paperwork, or call the office at 302-292-1334. We accept most Delaware Medicaid plans, Aetna, and Highmark.

10/09/2026

As a parent, you know your child best! If you’ve noticed differences in how your child communicates, interacts with others, processes emotions, or responds to their environment, you may be wondering whether an autism evaluation is the right next step.

An evaluation isn’t about labeling your child. It’s about understanding them.

Recognizing your child’s unique strengths and challenges can help you make informed decisions and connect them with the support they need to thrive.

At The Center for Child Development, we’re here to help!

Through our Autism Access Program, families can access:

Comprehensive autism assessments
No waitlist
Sliding-scale payment options
Looking for additional parenting support?

Our CCD Parent Hub is another resource designed to help parents navigate the challenges of raising children, better understand their child’s emotional and developmental needs, and access helpful information and tools to support their family’s well-being.

Explore the Parent Hub: www.ccdparenthub.com

You don’t have to have all the answers. You just need to know where to turn for support.

302-292-1334
www.ccddelaware.com