Our Founder Story

WonderLab was founded by two pediatric physical therapists who became frustrated with the lack of services for children in their community. They worked together as adjunct professors at Loma Linda University but also separately as physical therapists who would evaluate children and refer when needed to early intervention therapy services. However, the children they referred were not receiving the recommended EARLY intervention due to the lack of services available. They were wait listed for months and sometimes even years. This was especially true for children funded by managed Medi-Cal. Upon further research, the overwhelming feedback from the community providers was that it was just too expensive and reimbursement was insufficient to provide pediatric care.

The friends kept thinking, “there’s got to be a better way!” With the blessing of the current providers, WonderLab was founded as a non-profit, pediatric specific clinic in February of 2016 and started seeing children in a borrowed room at a local church. A non-profit classification would allow them the opportunity to enlist the support of the community with the added bonus of complete transparency in costs when negotiating contracts.

The mission of WonderLab is to be a catalyst for development through science and play. It is a forum for research, education and direct physical, occupational and speech therapy services for the children of San Bernardino and Riverside Counties. WonderLab believes every child deserves access to evidence informed practice that is current, specific and family centered.

Early therapy intervention has an immediate impact as well as a lifelong effect on how a child speaks, thinks, learns and moves. WonderLab seeks to provide therapy services to families of all income levels regardless of type of insurance coverage. Their primary impact is among children with publicly funded plans (managed Medi-Cal). Because they were able to negotiate rates through transparent cost sharing, WonderLab covers the cost of services through insurance payment. Thus, all funds raised are set aside for non-covered programs like WonderLab Workshop, Adapted Drive Through Christmas, Parent Ditch Week, or for equipment and infrastructure like the indoor pool and innovative body weight support systems. Not a penny of donated money has been used for administrative costs or salaries.

WonderLab appreciates that education and research are imperatives to the health and success of the children and future professionals in our community. Without readily available mentors in the field, we are not adding competent future practitioners to our profession. Therefore, we are committed to hosting students so they can gain more exposure to the world of pediatric therapy, and where IRB approved research is conducted to inform best practice interventions for tomorrow.

The vision of this non-profit organization is not possible without a partnership with our community. Therapeutic support of children in their early years will create a healthier social landscape for everyone. It will help our children better integrate into our community, participate in our society, support themselves, live more independently and develop meaningful relationships. Because no one should be left out, sitting on the sidelines of life, due to childhood disability.