Kindering

Kindering Kindering provides early support services to infants and children who have special needs and their families.

Kindering embraces children of diverse abilities and their families by providing the finest education and therapies to nurture hope, courage, and the skills to soar. Founded in 1962 by five young Eastside mothers of children with special needs, Kindering is the largest early support center in Washington State, one of the three largest centers in the nation, and notably the most comprehensive. Each year thousands of infants and children with special needs receive crucial therapies, special education, and other early support programming designed to give them the tools they need to reach developmental milestones. We also offer a full range of services to support the entire family, including parent education courses, specialized support groups for parents (Mothers Circle, Fathers Network) and siblings (Sibshops), specialized programming for foster parents, and a true sense of community for those facing the unexpected journey of raising a child with special needs. Specialties

Developmental assessments; physical, occupational, speech, nutrition/feeding, and mental health therapies; special education; parent and sibling support groups; parent education; family counseling; specialized support for children in foster care and their families; private therapy; and an inclusive toddler preschool. The Need Is Great

Kindering is now serving more children than ever before, and demand for our services is growing. Over the last five years, enrollment in our early support program has more than doubled. Infants cannot wait: research proves that birth to three years of age is a critical period for development. Early support can change a child's life, and you can help Kindering ensure that no child in need is ever turned away from receiving the support they need to develop to their fullest potential.

Given the concerns in our community about vaccines, we'd like to share a brief message of reassurance from Dr. Daniel J....
12/12/2025

Given the concerns in our community about vaccines, we'd like to share a brief message of reassurance from Dr. Daniel J. Tolson, Kindering's Medical Director:

With so much conflicting information about the safety of vaccines, it can be stressful for parents to know what to do. We feel for all of you who are just trying to do what’s best for your kids.

We want what’s best for your kids, too! As a healthcare provider with an Autism Center of Excellence credential, Kindering follows public health advice supported by evidence.

Here’s the consensus among trusted experts on vaccines:

- “Vaccines are safe and one of the best ways to protect yourself and your family from disease.” The WA Department of Health offers many resources supporting this claim.
- Vaccines are not linked to autism.
- As a healthcare provider that serves many medically fragile children, Kindering encourages families to get their children vaccinated. This protects their children’s health and the health of other children.
- There are valid medical reasons some children cannot get certain vaccines, such as specific allergies or medical conditions. If you have questions about vaccines, always consult your primary care provider.

We offer this advice based on the strongest scientific evidence with the well-being of you and your child as our top priority. As always, thank you for entrusting us with the care of your little ones.

Daniel J. Tolson, MD
Developmental Behavioral Pediatrician, Medical Director of Kindering

For nearly two decades, Kindering has been proud to steward the Sibling Support Project (SSP), helping siblings of peopl...
12/12/2025

For nearly two decades, Kindering has been proud to steward the Sibling Support Project (SSP), helping siblings of people with disabilities find community through Sibshops and more.

Soon, the SSP will continue this work under the Sibling Leadership Network (SLN), a long-time partner of Kindering’s and a nonprofit solely dedicated to sibling support. We’re grateful for this shared journey and excited to see the SSP continue to flourish in its new home. 💙

Full transition by December 31, 2025.

Did you see little Emma in the news today? Her family's extraordinary story is captured with so much heart and sensitivi...
12/11/2025

Did you see little Emma in the news today? Her family's extraordinary story is captured with so much heart and sensitivity by Daniel Beekman of The Seattle Times -- give it a read if you want to be uplifted today!

We are beyond grateful to Yasmin, Emma's mom, for sharing her journey. From the time Emma was diagnosed with Down syndrome, Yasmin has made sure she had access to the best possible care, moving from out of state to be closer to Seattle Children's and enrolling Emma in multiple Kindering services.

Now, as a toddler, Emma is thriving -- as you'll see from the adorable photos by Ivy Ceballo.

This article is part of The Seattle Time's annual Fund for Those in Need Campaign, a fundraiser for which Kindering is honored to be one of the nonprofit beneficiaries. 💜

https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/a-wa-baby-needed-emergency-surgery-what-came-next-changed-her-life/

The .first Resource Fair was extra-fun yesterday! Dozens of community organizations (including Kindering!) showed up to ...
12/06/2025

The .first Resource Fair was extra-fun yesterday! Dozens of community organizations (including Kindering!) showed up to share information, goodies, and food -- and of course, to take a photo with Santa.
Thanks for bringing the community together with this fun event, .first !

We are so grateful for the merry crew at the Bellevue Breakfast Rotary Club! Yesterday, bright and early, we had the ple...
12/06/2025

We are so grateful for the merry crew at the Bellevue Breakfast Rotary Club! Yesterday, bright and early, we had the pleasure of sharing a brief presentation (and a huge thank-you) with a group of people who care deeply about their community.

It was also great to see friends from Amazon.com, the , and fellow disability-serving nonprofits , , and .

Why do we love the BBRC? Because they champion inclusion for neurodiverse people in a big way -- most notably through their annual run. Kindering is honored to be a beneficiary of this event each year, with funds supporting our services for children and families.

And yes, the next run is already on the calendar! Join us on April 26, 2026 -- you can register today: https://allinforautism.org/

12/06/2025

After 20 years at Kindering, Jennifer Schumacher, our Director of Individual Giving, is moving on! And down to the very last week, she and her family went the extra mile for Kindering with volunteer projects.

Thank you to Jen for her service and to her entire family for YEARS of dedicated support.

💜🌟Wishing you the very best!💜🌟

🔥Fired up about services for kids?🔥 Join us for Have a Heart for Kids Day at the State Capitol on January 20 to advocate...
12/05/2025

🔥Fired up about services for kids?🔥

Join us for Have a Heart for Kids Day at the State Capitol on January 20 to advocate for services for children and families in Washington! We're thrilled to partner with our friends at Children's Alliance for this year's "Day on the Hill."

Together with child advocates from across the state, you will speak directly with your elected representatives, participate in a family-friendly rally on the Capitol steps, and make the case for why the state should preserve and protect essential services our kids rely on.

Children and families are welcome!

🌟Register here!🌟 https://www.childrensalliance.org/events/have-a-heart-for-kids-day-2026

12/03/2025

It's ... Wednesday! Because WE STILL HAVE A MATCH!

We still have $8,000 left in matching funds from . That means the next $8,000 in donations will be matched 1 for 1.

So, your donation today has DOUBLE the impact.

💜Support Kindering services today💜 https://kindering.org/2025giving/

12/03/2025

Today is , commemorating first federal special education law -- what we now know as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)!
Prior to IDEA, millions of children with disabilities were excluded from school. But IDEA changed that, affirming every student's right to a free and appropriate education -- including students with disabilities.
IDEA Part C includes early supports for infants and toddlers. These are the life-changing pediatric therapies agencies like Kindering provide to empower kids with disabilities and developmental delays!💜
Special Education Day is a reminder: students of ALL abilities have the *right* to learn, be challenged, and grow!

12/02/2025

Meet Lucy, one of the thousands of kids with complex medical needs who has made remarkable progress at Kindering.

Lucy underwent two major surgeries before she was two months old. The day after she came home from the hospital, her Kindering journey began.

With pediatric therapies, and our inclusive Stepping Stones preschool, Lucy has made amazing progress. Watch the video for more on her story!

💜Want to support kids like Lucy this Giving Tuesday?💜
Make a gift here: kindering.org/2025giving

It's   -- and guess what. We have a MATCH! Thanks to fabulous donors like the Bellevue Breakfast Rotary Club and a gener...
12/02/2025

It's -- and guess what. We have a MATCH!

Thanks to fabulous donors like the Bellevue Breakfast Rotary Club and a generous (and anonymous!) Kindering alumni family, we have a match pool of up to $16,000 today! That means...
💜$50 --> $100
💜$100 --> $200
💜$500 --> $1,000

Your donation helps us:
🌟Buy specialized equipment that helps kids with disabilities learn to walk;
🌟Get delightful and engaging toys that augment therapy (and make it fun!);
🌟Close the fundraising gap to support life-changing pediatric therapies that help kids learn things like how to communicate, get around, eat, and so much more!

Support services for Kindering kids today -- for double the impact!
https://kindering.org/2025giving/

Native American Heritage Day is observed on the Friday after Thanksgiving Day/Day of Mourning each year 💜
11/28/2025

Native American Heritage Day is observed on the Friday after Thanksgiving Day/Day of Mourning each year 💜

Address

16120 NE 8th Street
Bellevue, WA
98008

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

Telephone

+14257474004

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