There are an abundance of children who require the assistance of a pediatric therapist to reach their maximum potential and independence in life. Children with ADHD, PDD, Autism, Cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, genetic disorders or anxiety disorders, to name but a few, may require pediatric therapy services to improve their quality of life.
Occupational Therapists (OT) help maximize function and independence in their clients. Specifically, they help patients to fulfill their daily roles and routines despite physical or mental challenges that threaten independent completion of these roles. The primary roles and responsibilities of children are to grow, play, learn and explore. Therefore Occupational Therapists work throughout many areas to help children accomplish their activities of daily living to the best of their capabilities. Some areas where an OT may be helpful to your child are: play, handwriting, upper body strengthening, bilateral coordination, visual motor integration and social and emotional development.
Sensory Integration is a term you may hear often in relation to OT. All of us take in information from our senses (ears, eyes, noses, mouths, muscles and head position in relation to gravity). A child who has difficulty taking in, organizing and responding appropriately to this information may experience stress during everyday sensory experiences. For example, a child who has difficulty processing sounds or head position may become scared or overwhelmed on the playground. Conversely, a different child may constantly seek this stimulation even when expected to be using indoor rules. Occupational Therapists help children to regulate and modulate incoming information so they can best prepare themselves for active learning and a just-right attention level throughout their day.
A Physical Therapist (PT) helps a child move about their environment in an effective and safe manner. They work to carefully address the individual needs of the child, including muscle strength, endurance, range of motion, balance, coordination, and attaining developmental milestones. PTs are specifically concerned with gross motor skills and can help address concerns related to quality of movement, motor planning and control.
A Speech Language Pathologist (SLP) can help a child improve one of the most important aspects of their life: communication. SLPs work closely with children to improve both verbal and nonverbal communication. Difficulty with communication may be related to speech, defined as the production of sounds, or language, putting together these sounds and words to communicate ideas. Some areas an SLP can help your child with include articulation and fluency disorders and receptive or expressive language disorders. Speech language pathologists may also help with the oral muscle control necessary to facilitate effective eating and swallowing in a child who struggles with theses fundamental activities.
Music Therapy uses music to achieve therapeutic goals. On its own it can address regulation, executive functioning, communication and much more. When used in collaboration with OT, sensory processing and self regulation are enhanced. PT’s love music therapy for its contribution to rhythm and beat and Speech Therapists feel rewarded by its impact on both verbal and nonverbal communication skills.
Music therapy is not covered by insurance. However, as always, we strive to make therapy affordable and attainable. We are pleased to announce that we have partnered with In Community and Bobby Dodd to enroll Amanda as a certified vendor and grants are available through those companies.© 2022 On Target Pediatric Therapy, LLC