Over thirty years ago, Chileda was born into a world that was rapidly changing.

"Once upon a time and not too long ago, kids were literally warehoused in large state institutions called colonies," says Don Heidel, Chileda Founder. "Their care was provided by well-meaning matrons whose jobs were to maintain a semblance of order in a ward of 35 kids." These overworked caregivers provided the basics – three meals, a warm bed and a roof over their head – but little or nothing to help the kids grow or learn.

"Chileda started on June 16, 1973 with four kids, one staff member, and lots of ideas," recalls Heidel. That's when three people came together by mistake, from three different disciplines. Those people included Rayma (Ditson) Sommer, a developmental psychologist at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point; Rolf Sommer, an educator from Stevens Point; and Heidel, who was the State of Wisconsin's central point of referral for hard-to-place children.

Although their backgrounds were different, their goal was the same: to develop a treatment and care program for children and young adults who exhibit severe mental disabilities, including mental retardation, seizure disorders, cerebral palsy, autism and challenging behaviors. This program, based on a developmental approach to the treatment of children with developmental disabilities, would be focused on each person's individual needs.

In 1975, a federal law was passed that required education for every child no matter what disability or disabilities he or she might have. That event, combined with a desire to control costs at the very expensive state centers, changes in parental attitudes and the evolving fields of special education, occupational therapy and recreational therapy, paved the way for a mass exodus from the institutions. More importantly, it validated Chileda's philosophy:

Every person deserves to be treated with dignity and respect.

The name Chileda comes from the Cherokee Nation. The word translates as "onward and upward," or "into the light." As the Cherokees fought their way back to the hunting grounds from the reservation, their cry was "Chileda! Chileda!" It's a motivational message that is most appropriate for the child with developmental disabilities.

View Chileda's Strategic Plan. For more in-depth information, please contact Dr. Kirby Lentz, President/CEO.