Inspiring Hope – Bridging Community and Care: The SPOT and Creative Change Counseling’s Comprehensive Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Services
Image courtesy of Creative Change Counseling.
Creative Change Counseling Inc. (CCC) stands as a beacon of innovation in supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) through its multifaceted approach centered around The SPOT Teen Development & Success Center in Mount Laurel, New Jersey.
The SPOT represents a revolutionary approach to supporting adolescents and young adults with diverse needs, including those with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Unlike traditional clinical settings, The SPOT creates an environment where therapeutic support seamlessly integrates with social engagement and skill development.
Founder and COO Mr Kahreem Cunningham shared “Creative Change Counseling realizes that adolescence is a critical period for youth development as they begin to make their transition into adulthood. Within this critical phase of development, healthy socialization and recreation often serve as a bridge toward success upon transitioning to adulthood.”
The center features comprehensive amenities including a movie theater, game rooms, academic support areas, and spaces dedicated to life skills development. Beyond recreational programming, The SPOT currently provides mental health outpatient services, creating a unique integrated model where clinical treatment occurs within a community-centered, youth-friendly environment. Additionally, The SPOT hosts specialized peer support groups every Wednesday evening from 5:30-7:30pm, alternating between girls’ and boys’ chat groups weekly.
These gender-specific sessions provide safe spaces for adolescents to connect with peers who share similar experiences, fostering meaningful relationships and social skill development.
CCC’s IDD services offer a comprehensive continuum of care across the lifespan. For youth, the organization provides after-school respite services for ages 12-17 at The SPOT location, respite care for children under 11 at their We Rock the Spectrum Kids Gym in Mount Laurel, and intensive in-home behavioral support for youth 17 and under. This in-home support specifically serves individuals on the autism spectrum, those with Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, and various intellectual disabilities.
Looking toward adult services, Chris Peregon, who plays a key role in CCC’s IDD program development, has expressed enthusiasm about the organization’s expanding programming. “I look forward to commencing the Employment Support Program for adults over 21 years of age with developmental disabilities and Community-based support for adults over 21, focusing on social skills, daily living skills, and general life skills coaching,” Peregon noted. This vision addresses the crucial transition challenges many young adults with IDD face when aging out of school-based programming.
The planned adult services will include employment support programs, community-based support focusing on essential life skills, and monthly social and recreational events designed specifically for IDD adult clients, ensuring seamless transition from adolescence into adulthood programming that promotes independence and community integration.
Dr. Bertee Thomas (For under & CEO) informed ” What distinguishes CCC’s approach is its fundamental philosophy that all human beings are fortified with innate potential that often lies dormant in the face of health-related challenges, everyday life stressors, and unrealized capabilities.”
This strength-based perspective shapes service delivery, moving beyond deficit-focused models to emphasize individual capabilities and community integration.
CCC’s IDD services are strategically centered in Mount Laurel, where The SPOT Teen Center and We Rock the Spectrum Kids Gym create a safe, welcoming and friendly environment where siblings and families can access age-appropriate services simultaneously. This co-location model is particularly beneficial for families with multiple children who may have different developmental needs.
The organization is also launching “We Rock the Spectrum on Wheels,” bringing inclusive sensory gym experiences directly to communities throughout New Jersey, expanding access to therapeutic recreation services.
The demand for quality IDD services continues to grow significantly. Current estimates suggest that 1 in 36 children are diagnosed with autism, while the overall population of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities requiring services continues to expand as awareness increases and diagnostic capabilities improve.
This growing demand is particularly acute in the transition-age population—adolescents and young adults moving from pediatric to adult services. The SPOT’s focus on this critical demographic addresses significant gaps in available services, providing essential support during a period when many young people with IDD face challenges maintaining appropriate services and community connections. The weekly peer chat groups further enhance this support by providing structured opportunities for social connection and peer learning often lacking in traditional service models.
Recognizing evolving community needs and the growing evidence base supporting Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) interventions, Creative Change Counseling is currently working on launching comprehensive ABA services.
This expansion represents a natural evolution of the organization’s commitment to evidence-based practices and personalized care. ABA services will complement existing programming by providing intensive, individualized interventions designed to increase adaptive behaviors and reduce challenging behaviors that may interfere with learning and social integration.
The addition of ABA services will be particularly valuable for younger children with autism spectrum disorders and their families, offering early intervention opportunities that can significantly impact long-term outcomes. The planned ABA services will integrate seamlessly with CCC’s existing therapeutic recreation, mental health outpatient services, and community-based programming, creating a comprehensive ecosystem of support within a unified framework.
CCC’s IDD services exemplify the organization’s broader mission of “Inspiring Hope and Changing Lives, One Family at a Time.” The integration of IDD services with CCC’s mental health outpatient services, substance use disorder treatment, and restorative justice program creates unique opportunities for holistic family support, particularly valuable for families where multiple members may have different service needs.
As Creative Change Counseling continues to expand its IDD services, including the planned addition of ABA programming and upcoming adult services programs, the organization remains committed to its core values of professionalism, impact, ethics, philanthropy, diversity, and integrity.
Chris Peregon’s enthusiasm for launching the Employment Support Program and Community-based support services reflects the organization’s forward-thinking approach to meeting evolving community needs.
The success of The SPOT Teen Center and the broader IDD service portfolio demonstrates the power of combining clinical expertise with innovative, community-based approaches to care.
Through programs like The SPOT and comprehensive IDD services, Creative Change Counseling continues to prove that with the right support, inspiration, and community integration, every individual can thrive and contribute meaningfully to the communities they call home.
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