Dedham Welcomes Springtide At Grand Opening Ceremony

DEDHAM, MA - More than 50 people came out on Thursday to celebrate the grand opening of Springtide Child Development's first Massachusetts care center for children who are on the autism spectrum, including state Sen. Mike Rush and state Rep. Paul McMurtry.

Located at 95 Eastern Ave., the center provides a holistic approach to treatment. Individualized attention is given to the needs of clients ages 2-18 and their families through interdisciplinarytherapeutic opportunities.

"We were super excited about coming to Dedham," Springtide CEO and co-founder Jia Jia Ye said, noting that the company is about two years old. "The town has been really welcoming to us, and we're excited to be part of the community. We're really happy for this to be our first location in Massachusetts."

She added that Dedham is an increasingly diverse community, both socioeconomically and culturally, which made the town an attractive option. It also is in close proximity to a number of universities and is one of the local communities that has a good school system.

Springtide Child Development is based in Trumbull, Connecticut and also has clinics in Ridgefield and West Hartford. It also is planning to open a center in Shrewsbury.

"Our mission is to really be the partner for families as we think about kids with autism," Ye said, noting the challenges that parents typically face when navigating treatment options. "In one center, we offer speech therapy, occupational therapy, and behavioral analysis. We provide an empowering and transformative approach tailored to each family's unique needs."

She added that the center provides coordinated care with pediatricians, medical specialists, and the schools to coordinate an integrated care plan. It blends traditional therapies with the use of modern technology and modalities to offer comprehensive care. Some of its other areas of focus are school readiness and functional living skills.

"That's the thing that I think sets us apart, instead of doing just one practice," Ye said. "We will serve up to 40 clients at a time, but it depends on their need and the severity. Some kids will come in for a very intensive full-day program, while others will come in for shorter periods."

Ye explained that autism spectrum disorder affects one in 54 children in the United States.

"Our vision is to create a world where families have a very clear and accessible path," she continued, "and it's a journey that will be filled with growth, support and joy."

The inside of the center was warm, bright and engaging. The walls of the indoor play gym, equipped with adaptive play equipment, featured a pastel jungle landscape. Separate conference and treatment rooms offered space for private consultation for parents and individualized care. The rooms are designed to mimic home and school settings that assist in transitions, and indoor and outdoor playgrounds provide additional engaging therapy spaces.

"I just want to take a moment to say congratulations and thank you for the difference you are going to be making in the lives of so many children and their families," said state Rep. Paul McMurtry of Dedham as he presented a state citation in honor of the center's opening. "When I first got into the Legislature, I remember the statistic of the children diagnosed with autism was one in 375."

"So often, families have issues and they need help," added state Sen. Mike Rush. "They need that support, and to know that Springtide is here and offering these incredible wraparound services for families is a great lift for families that are so stressed by these situations."

Rush also presented a state citation as he wished Springtide success.

Also in attendance were Thomas O'Rourke, President/CEO of the Neponset River Regional Chamber of Commerce, John Sisson, the town's economic development director, Springtide Chief Clinical Officer Dr. Michael Cameron, and several families who toured the site.

Springtide Chief Business Officer Ipek Demirsoy has first-hand experience with the autism community, as she has an 8-year-old son who is on the autism spectrum. Before coming to Springtide, Demirsoy worked at Mass Health as the chief accountable care officer.

"I know the affected population and I know health care services," she said of her decision to join Springtide. "I know how vulnerable this particular industry is, both from my personal and professional experiences.

"One of the things that I think is lacking right now in the industry is the quality in outcome," she explained. "That's really what we're trying to change, and I'm really excited about that mission."

She noted that a detailed intake assessment is performed on each child, which incorporates the child's total living experience, including issues with behavior, feeding and sleep. One goal is to educate parents and empower them as they make decisions with their health care providers and school systems.

"I view of us as being like a quarterback for the family," Demirsoy added. "The children are our North Star. Our culture is about that and about seeing the outcomes for the children and the family."

This was apparent as staff members engaged with families, inviting children to play with them as they explored the indoor play gym.

"It's really exciting to do something transformative," Demirsoy added.

Treatment will begin at the center on Monday.

For more information, visit the website.