Center for Autism + Developmental Disabilities (C.A.D.D.) 

Transforming the developmental disabilities community 

Special Needs Network operates the Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities (CADD) a full-service autism health and community center delivering comprehensive medical and developmental services in the historic Watts/Willowbrook/Compton neighborhood. 

Located on the campus of the new Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Hospital, the CADD provides young people and their families with compassionate, integrated diagnoses and intervention services, speech, occupational, physical, and Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapies to primarily Medi-Cal recipients, uninsured, and low-to-moderate-income families. Through our partner, St. John’s Well Child and Family Center, families receive medical and dental care. Additional services include early intervention therapy programs for toddlers, a free legal clinic, a family resource center, vocational and skills training, and afterschool diversion programs.

Behavior Therapy

Building skills and advancing positive behaviors

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy aims to teach and reinforce new skills and positive behaviors while reducing behaviors that interfere with progress. Studies have found ABA to be an effective intervention, especially when introduced consistently and at a young age. 

SNN provides ABA through Discrete Trial Training (DTT), play therapy, natural environment training, and social skills. Every child works with a therapist several times a week toward individualized goals ― stepping stones toward the level of performance of a more typically developing child. The ultimate goal is to provide every child access to opportunities and environments available to their typical counterparts.  

Supporting and educating parents

A Parent Education component is central to all of our programs. SNN prioritizes delivering parents the support and resources they need to help the whole family thrive. Support and intervention for children in the home are essential to providing intervention. 

We work with parents on individualized programs designed to reinforce, in different environments, the therapy that children receive from SNN. This includes a written, step-by-step plan outlining how caregivers can best respond to various situations to help build language, social, and motor skills.

We also teach parents and caregivers the skills they need to advocate for children in educational, therapeutic, and social settings.  

In addition, SNN professionals provide:

+ Referrals and links to additional special needs services
+ Comprehensive primary and preventative medical care
+ Behavioral health services and assessments

Get in touch to access services by calling 323.291.7100 or emailing snnaba@snnla.org