Heartwood sprouted from a simple yet powerful belief: All kids are good kids.

Our journey began with a vision to create a space where every child, especially those who are neurodivergent, can truly flourish.

Section Styles bg-right

At Heartwood, we believe in the power of child-led learning supported by expert guidance.

our holistic model

Our program uses embedded instruction, seamlessly integrating therapeutic interventions and educational support into natural, engaging activities.

By combining academic learning, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and social-emotional support through an embedded instruction model we are able to provide targeted, individualized opportunities to each learner. Our interdisciplinary team works collaboratively to ensure a holistic approach to each child's development. Click the photos below to learn more about each intervention.

ACADEMIC LEARNING

occupational therapy

SPEECH & COMMUNICATION

SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL SUPPORT

Academic Learning

Our special education teacher and therapists work collaboratively and intentionally to craft individualized, multi-sensory learning opportunities to meet students where they are. These plans are flexible and incorporate student interests.

Many of our children experience asynchronous development, and are not well served by a more rigid curriculum. Instead, we work closely with families to conceptualize children’s strengths and needs, and create a roadmap that focuses on gradual skill building, approaching challenges and celebrating successes along the way. The backbone of our pedagogical approach is instructional scaffolding, a strategy that utilizes strategic support to help students build confidence and independence.

Above all else, our priority is helping students build healthy self-identities as learners, and find joy in the process.

Section Styles full-width color-box-three

Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapy is a support focused on increasing a child's ability to participate fully in their daily routines and the activities that are most meaningful to them.

We implement DIR Floortime, a therapeutic approach that nurtures development through joyful, respectful interactions. This method leverages strong relationships to enhance engagement and build self-regulation, communication, social problem-solving, and reasoning skills. The DIR framework recognizes childrens’ inherent capacity for learning, and supports the development of creative, organizational, and logical thinking. Through meaningful  interactions and play, we create an environment where children can develop crucial skills and flourish.

At Heartwood, a child’s Occupational Therapy plan may include proactive opportunities to meet sensory needs, individualized plans to support joyful engagement in classroom routines and activities, and intentional opportunities to build skills related to motor planning, fine motor, and gross motor skills.

Section Styles full-width color-box-three

Our relationship-based approach focuses on connection over compliance.

Speech & Communication

We utilize a total communication approach that recognizes all forms of communication as meaningful and valid.  This may include vocalizations, gestures, sign language, pictures, and/or high tech communication devices.

Embedded speech therapy services are designed to support a variety of speech and language support needs. A child’s Speech Therapy plan may include support around expressive and receptive language development for analytic or gestalt language processing (communication through delayed echolalia), Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) device modification and implementation, articulation, phonological, and motor speech disorders (such as Apraxia).


Our therapeutic approach is based on evidence-based frameworks including Natural Language Acquisition and Dynamic Temporal and Tactile Cueing (DTTC). Integrating therapeutic interventions into organic interactions across settings supports skill generalization.

Communication is a path to connection.

Section Styles full-width color-box-three

Section Styles full-width color-box-three

Social & Emotional Support

Educating the whole child means providing compassionate and effective support to children and their families.

This includes evidence-based therapeutic support for children struggling to regulate their emotions, identify and solve problems, and increase flexibility. Additionally, we prioritize relationship-building, and support student’s connections with their peers. Our foundation is built upon therapeutic modalities including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), a framework focused on mindfully allowing our internal experiences, creating space from unhelpful thoughts, and choosing actions that align with our values.

Approaching a new experience brings uncertainty, and can understandably be accompanied by anxiety for children and families. We will accompany you every step of the way as you navigate visits to our learning space, separate from your child during drop off time, and transition before and after breaks.

Section Styles full-width color-box-three

At Heartwood, we welcome children as their full authentic selves.

Individual processing styles are respected, and emotional experiences are validated. Come as you are – there is no need to mask!

A Day at Heartwood

At Heartwood, each day is uniquely tailored to our students' needs and interests, flowing with the natural rhythms of childhood curiosity and energy.

Our morning begins with a flexible arrival routine and a welcoming circle, followed by a period of child-led play, where therapists and educators seamlessly integrate therapeutic interventions. As the morning progresses, we engage in small group activities, outdoor exploration, and creative opportunities, all designed to appeal to student’s interests and integrate learning goals.

Towards the end of our session, we wind down with a closing activity that might include story time, reflection, or a calming sensory experience. Throughout our time together, our team remains flexible, adapting to the children's needs and seizing teachable moments as they arise.

Section Styles full-width color-box-three

our schedule

Monday, Thursday, Friday

9:30am-12:30pm

our location

Chadds Ford, PA — on the Fairville Friends School campus

*Not affiliated with the Fairville Friends School

For your Clarity

Frequently Asked Questions

  • We maintain a consistent daily rhythm while allowing flexibility within activities. This balance provides predictability for children who thrive on routine, while still accommodating individual needs and spontaneous learning opportunities.

  • Embedded instruction means we integrate therapeutic and educational support into natural, play-based activities. Rather than pulling children out for isolated therapy sessions, our experts work alongside children during their chosen activities.

  • We maintain a low 2:1 student-to-staff ratio to ensure each child receives personalized attention and support.

  • We use visual schedules, multisensory cues, and consistent routines to support smooth transitions. Our staff is trained to recognize and accommodate individual needs during these potentially challenging times, and develop multisensory transition cues based on each child’s sensory profile.

  • Our program runs from 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM on Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays. In the future, we plan to expand to offer additional options.

  • We provide regular progress updates through a combination of daily brief check-ins, weekly summaries, and more comprehensive quarterly reports. We also schedule parent-teacher conferences throughout the year.

  • Our staff receives ongoing training in neurodiversity-affirming practices, evidence-based therapeutic techniques, and  instructional strategies. We also prioritize professional development in areas specific to each child's needs.

  • Our environment is designed to be sensory-friendly, with quiet spaces, varied textures, and adjustable lighting. We also incorporate movement breaks and activities throughout the day  tailored to each child's unique sensory profile.

  • We view all behavior as communication. Our approach focuses on understanding and validating underlying needs, and maintaining a flexible, adaptable environment and mindset to better support the child. We work closely with families to ensure consistency between home and school.

  • Please contact us to begin the application process!