Our Mission Statement
Our mission is to support families in providing full access to life’s experiences for children with special needs. Every child should have the opportunity to share in the typical age appropriate experiences. For some children these opportunities come naturally and for others they must be facilitated and supported. We offer physical support as well as emotional, social, and cognitive development. By utilizing the natural supports in the given environments, and enhancing them through education and training, we are able to provide the tools to achieve this goal. Although facilitation and support may be provided, the eventual goal is to find a match between the child, family, and the environment without the need for continued facilitated support. We believe that through this process a fulfilling and successful inclusion in life is a reality for all children.
Our mission is to support families in providing full access to life’s experiences for children with special needs. Every child should have the opportunity to share in the typical age appropriate experiences. For some children these opportunities come naturally and for others they must be facilitated and supported. We offer physical support as well as emotional, social, and cognitive development. By utilizing the natural supports in the given environments, and enhancing them through education and training, we are able to provide the tools to achieve this goal. Although facilitation and support may be provided, the eventual goal is to find a match between the child, family, and the environment without the need for continued facilitated support. We believe that through this process a fulfilling and successful inclusion in life is a reality for all children.
Our Philosophy
Special Beginnings believes that the first years of life are critical to the development of the child. An effective early intervention experience can achieve and maintain developmental goals. Early intervention can aid in the child being successful in a future school-based program, while affording a child the self-esteem needed to continue to thrive. Early intervention will also help the parent(s) in utilizing the tools received under the direction of the Early Interventionist. Special Beginnings will provide a balanced and nurturing environment that embraces each child’s potential.
Special Beginnings believes that the first years of life are critical to the development of the child. An effective early intervention experience can achieve and maintain developmental goals. Early intervention can aid in the child being successful in a future school-based program, while affording a child the self-esteem needed to continue to thrive. Early intervention will also help the parent(s) in utilizing the tools received under the direction of the Early Interventionist. Special Beginnings will provide a balanced and nurturing environment that embraces each child’s potential.
Meet Our Service Providers
Penny Amic is the Founder/Director of Special Beginnings, Inc. and has been in the field of child development and intervention for over 30 years. Penny received her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology with an emphasis on child development, as well as a minor degree in Sociology with emphasis on family dynamics, from CalState Northridge. She has Certificates of Completion in ABA Intervention, Social Skills Training, and is CPR and CPI certified. She also has over 60 hours of training in Cognitive Behavior and received her certificate as a Cognitive Behavioral Therapist.
She also holds a CIMI (Certified Infant Massage Instructor) certification. She was certified through International Loving Touch® Foundation, Inc. (ILSC), which is one of the world's first established training programs of infant massage. ILSC is an accredited program that provides training, resources, and classes in the field of infant and pediatric massage. The program is an evidence-based practice hands-on certification training. ILSC has trained countless professionals worldwide. Visit International Loving Touch® Foundation, Inc. to learn about the benefits for your NICU baby and/or your typical baby.
Penny utilizes her extensive DIR Floortime experience in her intervention and family training. Penny maintains a Lifetime Childcare Center Permit issued by the State of California. She also was acknowledged as Volunteer of the Year, for coordinating Christmas toy drive for Los Angeles County Department of Battered and Abused Children, for two consecutive years.
In the late 1970′s, Penny Amic built, owned, and operated The Learning Experience Preschool in Van Nuys, CA. Penny ensured a positive learning environment for her students and their families, as well as a comfortable, reinforcing environment for all employees.
After the births of her 3 sons, Penny embarked on a career as an in-home Infant Stimulation Therapist, working with special needs children from birth to three years of age. Her goal was to bring their cognitive, fine and gross motor, speech and language development, self-help and socialization skills to age appropriate levels.
Penny has worked over the years as a Developmental Play Therapist/Interventionist, specializing in in-home, and clinic-based play therapy, with emphasis and expertise on early intervention, DIR Floortime, behavioral intervention, and social skills. She has had extensive experience in working with multiple birth families.
Penny has also had the pleasure of working with children and families at Francis Blend School for the Blind, working one on one with a child with autism and visual impairment.
Penny Amic has worked in the LAUSD school setting providing individualized behavior intervention in mainstream, and specialized classrooms.
Penny takes tremendous pride in her 3 children, the first graduating from Pepperdine University, the second graduating from California State University, Northridge and the third graduating from a college prep private West Los Angeles High School. Currently in his senior year at California State University, Northridge; majoring in Deaf Studies.
Penny’s main aspiration is to help children to reach their full potential. She encourages families with developmentally delayed infants, toddlers and children to become champions, by using proven intervention techniques and instilling faith, courage and enthusiasm
She also holds a CIMI (Certified Infant Massage Instructor) certification. She was certified through International Loving Touch® Foundation, Inc. (ILSC), which is one of the world's first established training programs of infant massage. ILSC is an accredited program that provides training, resources, and classes in the field of infant and pediatric massage. The program is an evidence-based practice hands-on certification training. ILSC has trained countless professionals worldwide. Visit International Loving Touch® Foundation, Inc. to learn about the benefits for your NICU baby and/or your typical baby.
Penny utilizes her extensive DIR Floortime experience in her intervention and family training. Penny maintains a Lifetime Childcare Center Permit issued by the State of California. She also was acknowledged as Volunteer of the Year, for coordinating Christmas toy drive for Los Angeles County Department of Battered and Abused Children, for two consecutive years.
In the late 1970′s, Penny Amic built, owned, and operated The Learning Experience Preschool in Van Nuys, CA. Penny ensured a positive learning environment for her students and their families, as well as a comfortable, reinforcing environment for all employees.
After the births of her 3 sons, Penny embarked on a career as an in-home Infant Stimulation Therapist, working with special needs children from birth to three years of age. Her goal was to bring their cognitive, fine and gross motor, speech and language development, self-help and socialization skills to age appropriate levels.
Penny has worked over the years as a Developmental Play Therapist/Interventionist, specializing in in-home, and clinic-based play therapy, with emphasis and expertise on early intervention, DIR Floortime, behavioral intervention, and social skills. She has had extensive experience in working with multiple birth families.
Penny has also had the pleasure of working with children and families at Francis Blend School for the Blind, working one on one with a child with autism and visual impairment.
Penny Amic has worked in the LAUSD school setting providing individualized behavior intervention in mainstream, and specialized classrooms.
Penny takes tremendous pride in her 3 children, the first graduating from Pepperdine University, the second graduating from California State University, Northridge and the third graduating from a college prep private West Los Angeles High School. Currently in his senior year at California State University, Northridge; majoring in Deaf Studies.
Penny’s main aspiration is to help children to reach their full potential. She encourages families with developmentally delayed infants, toddlers and children to become champions, by using proven intervention techniques and instilling faith, courage and enthusiasm
