What happens when two passionate therapists come together to create a one-of-a-kind resource for children with developmental needs?
In this episode of NWA Founders, we sit down with Kym Hannah and Cindy Watson, co-founders of Children’s T.E.A.M., to hear how they built one of Northwest Arkansas's most comprehensive pediatric therapy organizations. From a single location with a handful of therapists to a thriving multi-site practice with specialized schools and groundbreaking adult services in development, Cindy and Kym share how their mission to serve families has fueled sustainable, purpose-driven growth.

What started as two separate therapy practices—one focused on speech therapy and the other on physical therapy—merged into a unified effort to create Children’s T.E.A.M. Their goal was clear: provide comprehensive, high-quality therapy services for children in Northwest Arkansas. Beginning with speech, physical, and occupational therapy, they soon expanded to address broader developmental needs, including applied behavior analysis (ABA) and specialized education programs.

With the increasing demand for services tailored to children with autism, cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injuries, and other complex diagnoses, Cindy and Kym scaled the organization with purpose. They opened The Gray School, designed to support children with behavioral and developmental challenges, and acquired Kid's Studio Preschool, ensuring inclusive early childhood education for kids with and without disabilities.

As their patients aged, a new challenge emerged—how to support these individuals into adulthood. Children’s T.E.A.M. is now developing innovative adult service programs, ensuring lifelong support and creating employment, housing, and community opportunities for adults with disabilities. Their model continues to evolve, driven by the same mission that started it all: serving the whole person, at every stage of life.

Highlights

[00:01:00] – How Children’s T.E.A.M. began: Two founders, one mission

[00:07:00] – Building careers in pediatric therapy and answering the community’s call

[00:17:00] – Challenges of early growth and lessons in leadership

[00:30:00] – Creating The Gray School for children with behavioral needs

[00:41:00] – The launch of Kid's Studio and fostering inclusion in early education

[00:54:00] – Introducing adult services and expanding care beyond childhood

[01:10:00] – How culture and team values sustain long-term success

[01:25:00] – Future plans for growth, impact, and improving services across NWA

Takeaways

1. Find the right people first - Cindy and Kym credit their success to intentionally hiring team members who share their passion and values, reinforcing culture over rapid growth.
2. Let purpose guide expansion - Every new service or location has been the result of listening to community needs and ensuring solutions align with the organization's core mission.
3. Long-term impact requires long-term thinking - Whether it's helping children gain communication skills or ensuring adults with disabilities have meaningful opportunities, sustainable growth requires a commitment to people over profits.

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