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Judith Diamond is the Corporate and Community Relations Manager at Pediatric Therapy Network, since last August.  She was a member of its Community Advisory Board for the previous 2 years.  Before this, she worked in geriatrics, helping families needing advice on older adult issues, especially housing.  She enjoys speaking to community groups and working with organizations, telling people about the Pediatric Therapy Network.  She lives in Rancho Palos Verdes with her husband and 2 teenagers.

The Pediatric Therapy Network started 17 years ago, for special-needs children under age 5.  It is located near the Depot Restaurant in Torrance, and now has 140 employees, including teachers and therapists for Speech and Language development, Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy.  (Physical Therapy focuses on improving mobility and strength, and Occupational Therapy focuses on improving activities of daily living such as play activities and skills, and on being able to sense body positions in cases of nerve impairment.)  Its professionals are affiliated with USC.

There is a clinic for Early Intervention from age 18 months to 3 years, for major developmental disorders such as autism, Down’s Syndrome and cerebral palsy.  There is also an Early Head Start program, begun 3 years ago for children in poverty, a major factor in later falling behind in school.  PTN works with school districts on developing better social skills.

Programs are family centered, including activities for parents and siblings.  There is a Saturday afternoon program for children, to relieve their home caretakers for a few hours.  She showed a short video of children in the programs.  For the Christmas season they have a toy collection for needy families.  There is a summer camp, located last year at Rolling Hills Country Day School.  Teenagers volunteer for high school service projects, and enjoy the interaction with handicapped children.  Children proposed for admission are evaluated by professionals at the Harbor Regional Center for developmental problems, and are referred to PTN from there.

Volunteers and donations are welcome; see www.pediatrictherapynetwork.org, or call (310) 328-7058.  There will be a Cinco de Mayo fund-raiser on Thursday, May 2, 5:30-7:30 PM, at the Marriott Hotel in Torrance, with tickets $20 in advance or $25 at the door, including 2 drinks, tacos, tapas & Spanish music.