Center for Social Dynamics – Opening a World of Possibilities for Those with Autism and Other Developmental Needs through Science, Compassion, and Humility

“CSD provides both screening and treatment services for individuals affected by autism and other behavioral health concerns. We put all we have for the well-being of others, and we understand that collaboration amongst us is vital.”

Children with developmental differences often need extra services to support their physical and mental well-being. An accurate diagnosis and effective multimodal treatment plans are important for everyone with developmental differences or disabilities. Even studies show that early diagnosis and interventions for autism are more likely to have major long-term positive effects on symptoms and later skills. But researching and connecting with specialists and other service providers can sometimes feel like a full-time job for parents and caregivers. This is when special needs organizations come into the picture. These organizations have been instrumental in the growth and development of children with autism and other developmental disorders.

Center for Social Dynamics (CSD) is one such organization that is making a huge stride in creating a more inclusive world for people with developmental delays and autism. It provides services to those with developmental delays, including autism, in the state of California, Oregon, Idaho, Washington, Colorado, and Hawaii. Founded in 2012, CSD is focused on expanding and continuing to deliver personalized, family-based, and culturally sensitive treatments and achieving evidence-based positive outcomes for autism patients in their homes, schools, communities, and beyond. Its multidisciplinary team, incorporating behavior analysis, occupational, speech, and psychological therapies, is committed to providing individualized and cutting-edge diagnostic and therapy services.Pete Pallarés, founder and Executive Chairman of the Center for Social Dynamics, spoke exclusively to The Silicon Review on how he and his team are empowering individuals through behavioral services.

Interview Highlights

Q. Almost 10 years providing quality care under the CSD platform Pete, what has been the key(s) of success?

It is hard to pinpoint one or two key areas of success, but let me start with what I have done all my career; I provided care for individuals with disabilities most of my life, and I have helped grow organizations in this same industry. Passion, tenacity, resilience, timing, and many people relations, to name a few.

Q. In the highly competitive world we live in, how did you diversify yourself from the rest?

Good question. Early on, I created a product that was pretty unique in our space. CSD was created with the desire to get as many children into treatment as possible from waiting lists in northern CA. It included many children from minority groups and communities at risk. To add more complexities to the idea and creation of CSD, I chose to do it within a multi-disciplined, inner-disciplined, and multi-cultural team and staff. These components identified and diversified CSD in the early days and gave us a particular “strength.”

Q. Ten years later, what are the results?

Fewer families are waiting for proper care, more children that belong to minorities across the west coast are getting access to services, many families and individuals now have a better life, and more and more people know about our services in our communities. As simple as that, there are national censuses that validate my statement.

Q. How do you recruit the right talents for maintaining the quality of your service?

Talent comes from different sources; talent is everywhere! We have internally a great team that focuses on bringing talent. The key here is how to develop this talent. In a fast-growing company, space, and industry, you have to also innovate in this aspect. In my particular case, I decided (and it wasn’t easy) to create an organization very well focused on developing internal members with the intent that they would eventually get access to critical roles which required time, patience, and excitement to help shape someone’s professional career. CSD is currently operated in its majority by people that were developed within its walls.

Q. Can you describe your typical management style and the type of employee that has succeeded working for you?

I think the ability to listen and understand what’s in my head at all times has been imperative for people to succeed and their ability to be trusted. Besides, understanding that mistakes are part of the learning process and standing still in this industry is unacceptable are some of the competencies I have always looked for in people. Coming to my management style, things need to be done my way until I can implement some level of democracy. As people keep developing and maturing within an environment and mission, there’s always more room for “free expression.”

Q. What new trends do you anticipate as CSD continues on its growth trajectory?

The area we operate in is a complex space. Insurance companies are enterprises that are always hard to adapt and re-adapt to with their constant changes and regulations. The only way to continue growing strong is by constantly improving services and improving systems and processes. People in this space become very valuable as they grow.

Q. How do you generally deal with the risks involved in dealing with people with autism? Tell us about your evaluation process.

The biggest risk comes from accessing a diagnosis and then providing proper treatment. There is still a big disparity in how individuals from different backgrounds and cultures access healthcare in this country. For us, for the most part, it comes in the form of making sure families don’t ignore the symptoms and see a specialist as soon as possible. It adds more complexities if the child does not get the required services between 3 and 8 years of age. Two key components of the process include a proper diagnostic evaluation and then the right assessment to receive care. They are connected and are a very important part of the care system.

Tell us in brief about the highly successful platform you have created.

CSD provides both screening and treatment services for individuals affected by autism and other behavioral health concerns. We are currently in six different states in the US: CA, OR, WA, ID, HI, and CO, and we put all we have for the well-being of others, and we understand that collaboration amongst us is vital.

Q. There are rumors around that you are closing a chapter and making some moves at CSD. What does the future hold for you? What about your company and its customers? Are exciting things on the way?

You heard it right! As of March 1st, I will be transitioning from the CEO role to Executive Chairman. I think it’s the right time for me and CSD as I need to catch up on many things which I have missed in the last 10 years, including my family. CSD will continue stronger than ever with new leadership and the “well-seasoned” team we have. It’s time for them to step it up a notch or two. Our customers, funding sources, investors, and third-party partners are all here and ready to deal now with someone with crazy hair.

From the living room of your house to a multi-state operation, many awards, recognition, and a commitment to our communities. Please give us some final thoughts here… you must be proud, Pete.

I am absolutely proud! Proud of the journey, proud that I was right about certain things, proud I didn’t give up, proud I have not let down some key payers and funding sources that believed in me, proud of what my team has accomplished and has become and very proud of all those families that have benefited from CSD from day one. Going from 120 miles/hour to 30 miles/hour is not easy, but I should be good at that by now. I would also like to thank The Silicon Review for these many years of attention and recognition, much appreciated.