TEXARKANA MAGAZINE
A new year does not always begin with fireworks and resolutions. Sometimes it begins with a child whispering their first word and a parent being able to exhale for the first time in months. At Temple Memorial Pediatric Center, new beginnings don’t arrive all at once—they unfold over time and often quietly through the hands and hearts of people who believe every child deserves the chance to thrive. For more than seven decades, Temple Memorial Pediatric Center has been changing lives, one child, one family, one milestone at a time. The center offers speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and applied behavioral analysis (ABA) therapy. Their approach is rooted in partnership and individualized care. “We strive to treat all our clients with respect and dignity and meet them where they are,” said Sandy Varner, Executive Director and CEO. “We celebrate all victories, big and small, because progress looks different for every child and every family.” From the very first visit, families are asked two questions: What are your concerns, and what do you hope therapy will help your child achieve? Goals are then created together. When one goal is mastered, another begins. All plans of care are overseen by Medical Director, Dr. Belinda Hutcheson, and parents are never left out of the process. Therapists talk with families after every session and provide home programs to support progress between visits. A licensed social worker is also available to connect families with the additional resources needed. “No one knows a child better than their family,” Varner says. “If they feel something isn’t right, we don’t want them to be afraid to ask for help.” One of Temple Memorial’s greatest strengths is its collaborative, multidisciplinary approach. Occupational, physical, and speech therapists work closely together. Often, a concern can be identified early and addressed before it becomes a larger issue. Evaluations, along with treatment plans and updates, are shared with the child’s primary care physician, ensuring continuity of care.
MEASURED IN MILESTONES BY TERRI COX
Atlas Phillips Finley works with therapist, Jordan Allen at Temple Memorial Pediatric Center Behavioral Health.
24
COMMUNITY & CULTURE
Made with FlippingBook - Online catalogs