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Sept. 20 - Oct. 3, 2008 25
Foundations dedicated to kids, environment
by Jen Bondeson pathology at Ohio State University before opening the
Lynn Carahaly of Sienna Heights is aware of the fi rst Foundations Developmental House in Scottsdale
simple things all children love: a safe place to play and eight years ago. She specializes in the treatment of
learn; their favorite animals; a promise for growth; Auditory Processing Disorders and related learning
and a warm smile, among the many. As the owner of disabilities, and is a published researcher on the
Foundations Developmental House in Chandler, she topic.
says she has combined them all. While most speech therapists focus mainly on
After opening in March, the eco-friendly house is articulation, Carahaly says Foundations Developmental
now packed with children, parents and staff members House employees realize the importance of language
who are dedicated to their goals, as well as the processing and the underlying issues that cause a child
environment. to be orally challenged. The tutoring-type programs
The house, located at the corner of Cooper and provide research based, clinically proven methods to
Queen Creek roads, is a place where children with children from birth to 18 years old.
speech and language disorders, dyslexia and other
STSN photo by Gordon Murray
Each room has a developmental, but friendly, feel
reading disabilities go to develop language processing
HELPING KIDS: Lynn Carahaly, owner of Foundations
that fi ts a child’s age group, in order to put him or her
skills and receive therapy. Developmental House in Chandler, works on speech skills with a at ease in a “familiar” environment.
To children, Foundations Developmental House
young client.
“There is a homey, fun feeling to the house,”
looks like a big playhouse. With brightly colored walls
cognitive skills they need to communicate more
Carahaly says.
and developmental areas disguised as play spots, even
effi ciently.
Carahaly opened the center in Chandler after living
adults might be fooled.
Carahaly realizes young children are more pas-
in the area for three years. She realized the large and
The house was actually designed with specifi c
sionate about animals, especially endangered spe-
growing, family-oriented community was missing a
“green” goals in mind. The rainbow-colored walls
cies, than about other environmental concerns. She
center closer to home.
were painted with volatile organic compound-free
dedicates a week to wildlife education during summer
“There is a need for this type of service,” Carahaly
paint. The building was constructed with recycled
camps, and this year the children raised money for the
says. “It is estimated that about 9 percent of
building material and extra insulation to decrease
Gorilla Foundation, a nonprofi t corporation dedicated
children have a communication disorder or learning
energy usage. It’s fl oored with non-adhesive, anti-
to the preservation and protection of gorillas.
disability.”
microbial, climate-neutral carpet and uses energy-
Foundations Developmental House and its partner
For more about Foundations Developmental House
effi cient light bulbs.
organization, Listening Ears, which works with
and Listening Ears and the ways they are going green,
Carahaly, who is a pediatric speech-language
challenged children to identify and treat the cause
visit www.fdhkids.com or www.listening-ears.com/
pathologist, says the environment where children
behind their learning problems, support many wildlife
being_green.html.
learn is just as important as what they are learning.
organizations including the World Wildlife Fund by
“Children are more susceptible to environmental
making a monthly donation.
Jen Bondeson is an Arizona native and a writer of all trades. She
hazards than adults,” Carahaly explains.
“Children love animals, and they don’t want to
can be reached at JenB@SanTanSun.com.
“Environmental values are important to me personally,
see them on the extinction list,” Carahaly adds. “It is
but are also important for the health of the children.”
something they can really connect with and really feel
The center educates children on how to take care
good about.”
of their planet while they develop the underlying
Carahaly received a degree in speech-language
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