It all started with Cindy.
Cindy Young
Speech-Language Pathologist, Dyslexia Specialist & Certified Teacher
Cindy Young knew from an early age that she was called to work with children with special needs. Her passion to help others became a reality when she graduated from the University of Arkansas with a Master of Science degree in Education, achieved her Certificate of Clinical Competence, and became a Speech Language Pathologist.
In 1988, Cindy met her husband, Steven, and began working at Arkansas Easter Seals LR, where she obtained her NDT (Neuro-Developmental Treatment) certification. This allowed Cindy the opportunity to grasp a holistic treatment philosophy and lay the foundation for what later became a registered trademarked approach.
Cindy and two co-workers founded The Access Group Inc. in 1994, located in Little Rock. Over the 16 years as COO of Access, Cindy helped build an innovative school for ages birth - High School, an evaluation center, and a therapy clinic. She co-authored a book, Tools for Literacy and Communication, created a language-based curriculum for all ages, and trained parents, staff, and professionals at local, state, and national conferences. Cindy became certified in The DuBard Association Method which allowed her to expand her specialties to reading, writing, and comprehension.
In 1988, Cindy met her husband, Steven, and began working at Arkansas Easter Seals LR, where she obtained her NDT (Neuro-Developmental Treatment) certification. This allowed Cindy the opportunity to grasp a holistic treatment philosophy and lay the foundation for what later became a registered trademarked approach.
Cindy and two co-workers founded The Access Group Inc. in 1994, located in Little Rock. Over the 16 years as COO of Access, Cindy helped build an innovative school for ages birth - High School, an evaluation center, and a therapy clinic. She co-authored a book, Tools for Literacy and Communication, created a language-based curriculum for all ages, and trained parents, staff, and professionals at local, state, and national conferences. Cindy became certified in The DuBard Association Method which allowed her to expand her specialties to reading, writing, and comprehension.
Steven & Cindy Young
God opened another door in 2010 for Cindy to co-found All Children’s Academy and All Children’s Therapy Inc. with Steven. This allowed the Youngs to offer extraordinary therapy to their community and a Christian-based school with intensive classroom instruction for students with specific learning disabilities. During their time at ACA and ACT, they created and developed an entirely new innovative registered trademarked program known as "Therapeutically Enhanced Education''® that involves a holistic team approach to education and therapy that focuses on the six domains of health and wellness which impacts a child in their home, school, and community. This approach has proven to enable children to attain potential beyond their present abilities and abundantly help families. Since becoming a CDT (certified dyslexic therapist), Cindy has spent the last 12 years dedicating herself to the cause of specific learning disabilities, which she herself has experienced personally.
When COVID hit in 2020, Steven and Cindy saw the need to bring ACA to Hot Springs, passing the torch to Brandon and Nicki Sessions. The Sessions reached out to Whitney Ritter, who became ACA's first Program Director. Since its beginning in Hot Springs, the academy has continued to grow in student enrollments, supporting staff, an active board of directors, and a guiding association board.
When COVID hit in 2020, Steven and Cindy saw the need to bring ACA to Hot Springs, passing the torch to Brandon and Nicki Sessions. The Sessions reached out to Whitney Ritter, who became ACA's first Program Director. Since its beginning in Hot Springs, the academy has continued to grow in student enrollments, supporting staff, an active board of directors, and a guiding association board.
Cindy and Steven founded this community wellness event, formerly named "Mask-A-Race", and in 2021 it was renamed "Run Young & Free" in their honor.
We are proud to continue the race and the work they began.
We are proud to continue the race and the work they began.
