Easterseals Bay Area

Who We Are

Easterseals Bay Area is at the forefront of care for people with autism and other developmental disabilities. For over 90 years, Easterseals Bay Area has provided services to people with disabilities and their families to help them live, learn, work and play to their full potential. Most recently, we set out to expand access and affordability of behavioral health services for people with autism and their families.

Purpose

Our services enable individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities to address life’s challenges, achieve personal goals and gain greater independence for everyday living. Easterseals Bay Area’s key service lines are:

• Behavioral Health Services

• Early Intervention

• Occupational Therapy

• Physical Therapy

• Speech Therapy

• Kaleidoscope After-School Program

We strive to ensure that all children and young adults with physical or developmental disabilities have access to the highest-quality, customized, educational and therapeutic activities, enabling them to maximize their independence, regain mobility, reduce pain and maintain optimum health.

Bay Area Focus: Autism

One in every 68 children in the U.S. is diagnosed with autism, according to the U.S. Center for Disease Control (CDC). In response to the California Autism Insurance Law – SB 946 – passed in 2011, we partnered with health organizations, leading technology firms and businesses to meet the unprecedented demand for behavioral health service in Northern California. Along with our partners, we are taking on disability together.

Trailblazing Better Ways to Deliver Services for 90 Years

Since 1927, Easterseals Bay Area has been leading the way to ensure individuals and families affected by disabilities can live, learn, work and play to their full potential. Our aim is to expand access and affordability for services in the lives of children with disabilities and their families. By consistently providing the highest-quality services available anywhere in the Bay Area, Easterseals Bay Area can ensure:

• All children with disabilities will receive the customized, educational and behavioral health services needed to gain the skills necessary for active participation in their communities

• All families of children with disabilities will receive the support they need to have peace of mind, assured that their children are receiving the best educational and behavioral health services available anywhere in the Bay Area

• All children with autism or developmental disabilities will have access to the highest-quality, customized, educational services, enabling them to maximize their independence and maintain optimum health

History of Easterseals

In 1907, Ohio businessman Edgar Allen lost his son in a streetcar accident and began fundraising to build a new hospital. Through this new hospital, Allen was surprised to learn that children with disabilities were often hidden from public view. In 1919 Allen founded what became known as the National Society for Crippled Children, the first organization of its kind. In the spring of 1934, the organization launched its first Easter “seals” campaign to raise money for its services. The overwhelming public support for the Easter “seals” campaign triggered a nationwide expansion of the organization and a swell of grassroots efforts on behalf of people with disabilities. By 1967, the Easter “seal” was so well recognized, the organization changed its name to reflect the iconic seal.