OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY
Wonderkind Pediatric Occupational Therapy
What…
What is occupational therapy for kids?
Occupational refers to activities that “occupy” a child’s day, including: Playing, eating, sleeping, and self care. When a child has developmental delays, these learning experiences, which are supposed to be fun instead become trying. Occupational therapists are skillfully trained clinicians that evaluate the child for strengths and deficits, treat the child to improve their deficits, and educate their families so that they can become an active part of the therapy process.
Who…
Who can benefit from Wonderkind Pediatric Occupational Therapy?
According to the AOTA, kids with the following may benefit from OT:
• Birth injuries or birth defects
• Sensory processing disorders
• Traumatic injuries (brain or spinal cord)
• Learning problems
• Autism/pervasive developmental disorders
• Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis
• Mental health or behavioral problems
• Broken bones or other orthopedic injuries
• Developmental delays
• Post-surgical conditions
• Burns
• Spina bifida
• Traumatic amputations
• Cancer
• Severe hand injuries
• Multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, and other chronic illnesses
How…
How does occupational therapy help?
• Helps kids work on fine motor skills so they can grasp and release toys, and develop handwriting skills
• Addresses hand-eye coordination to improve kids’ play and school skills (hitting a target, batting a ball, copying from a blackboard, etc.)
• Helps kids with severe developmental delays learn basic tasks (such as bathing, getting dressed, brushing their teeth, bathing themselves)
• Helps kids with behavioral disorders maintain positive behaviors in all environments (e.g., using positive ways to deal with anger, such as writing about feelings or participating in a physical activity, instead of hitting others or acting out)
• Teaches kids with physical disabilities the coordination skills needed to feed themselves, use a computer, or increase the speed and legibility of their handwriting
• Evaluates a child’s need for specialized equipment, such as wheelchairs, splints, bathing equipment, dressing services, or communication aids
• Works with kids who have sensory and attention issues to improve focus and social skills
PHYSICAL THERAPY
Wonderkind Pediatric Physical Therapy
What…
What is physical therapy for kids?
Physical therapy addresses a child’s ability to control their balance and posture during both static and dynamic activities. This may include sitting well while engaged in a tabletop activity or moving their body through space via rolling, crawling, walking, running, jumping or any other form of mobility. While physical therapy is often a part of rehabilitation from an injury, illness, or surgery, the goal of physical therapy in children is often habilitation which is the acquisition of new skills that are appropriate for a child at their current age or stage of development. A physical therapist is a licensed professional who has received advanced education and training to allow them to assess and treat a variety of conditions that may impact a child’s gross motor functioning.
Who…
Who can benefit from Wonderkind Pediatric Physical Therapy?
Because the goal of pediatric physical therapy is to maximize a child’s gross motor functioning, physical therapy may be beneficial for children with a variety of diagnoses including:
• Developmental delays in gross motor skills
• Birth injuries or birth defects
• Central nervous system injuries (brain or spinal cord)
• Broken bones or other orthopedic injuries including congenital muscular torticollis
• Post-surgical conditions
• Genetic Syndromes
• Chronic conditions such as juvenile rheumatoid arthritis or muscular dystrophy
How…
How does physical therapy help?
The goal of physical therapy is to improve a child’s gross motor function using a variety of techniques which may include:
• Muscular stretching and strengthening
• Balance and motor control activities
• Manual therapy (joint mobilization, tissue mobilization/release)
• Therapeutic taping
• Bracing and orthotics
• Adaptive equipment or positioning devices
• Education of families/schools/community organizations
SPEECH THERAPY
Wonderkind Pediatric Speech Therapy
What…
What is speech therapy for kids?
Pediatric speech therapy helps with communication challenges in children. Children may have difficulties with expressive language (how they speak) or receptive language (how they understand language). Speech therapy may also address difficulties with oral motor skills, articulation, auditory processing, and social skills.
Who…
Who can benefit from Wonderkind Pediatric Speech Therapy?
Children with any of the following disorder or difficulties may benefit from Speech Therapy:
• Apraxia
• Autism
• Articulation Disorder
• Phonological Disorders
• Cleft Palate
• Developmental Delays
• Dyslexia
• Early Language Delays
• Executive Functioning (Attention, Organization)
• Feeding Disorders
• Fluency Disorders
• Reading/Writing Difficulties
• Selective Mutism
• Swallowing Disorders
• Tongue Thrust
• Voice
• Disorders
• Vocal Nodules
How…
How does speech therapy help?
• Helps to stimulate language development through talking and play
• Models sounds and syllables to correct improper speech
• Improves stuttering or vocal clarity
• Facilitates proper positioning for correct sounds
• Improves comprehension of language
• Assists in feeding and oral motor challenges
• Provides improvements with cognition and socialization
