Every parent wants to see their child succeed, and this desire for success starts from before day one. Knowing that your child is developing properly, is born into a healthy body and mind, and is able to keep up with their peers when it comes to developmental milestones is a big subject for concern among parents of young children.
Kids Health The Newsletter About Taking Care Of The Ones That Matter Most
November, 2017
“Is your Child behind On Developmental Milestones?” PT FOR DEVELOPMENTAL DELAYS
Every parent wants to see their child succeed, and this desire for success starts from before day one. Knowing that your child is developing properly, is born into a healthy body and mind, and is able to keep up with their peers when it comes to developmental milestones is a big subject for concern among parents of young children.
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Inside:
• PT For Developmental Delays
• 7 Tips To Surviving With Your Special Needs child
• Staff Spotlight
• Writing A Review Is Just A Click Away
Kids Health The Newsletter About Taking Care Of The Ones That Matter Most
“There Are Many Options PT Provides For Children With Delays!” November, 2017 PT FOR DEVELOPMENTAL DELAYS
This concern is reinforced during every well-check, where the pediatrician will not only tell you the actual measurement of your child’s height, weight and head circumference, but will provide you with a percentile approximation so that you can immediately put that number in context and begin to compare your child to the national percentage of peer growth and development. And these are just the physical developments. Cognitive development and motor skills are just as competitive, and just as closely monitored. When delays are present, whether they are cognitive or physical, they can become a great source of stress for parents and caregivers who want to see the child succeed and be as healthy as possible. Physical therapy is a great resource for children who are experiencing any level of developmental delays. Physical Therapy for Development Delays When it comes to providing the greatest treatment options for children’s care, it is important to select a care option that is not invasive, but that can provide the child with the support they need in the area they are experiencing the delay. Medication is not an option here. There is no illness that needs to be treated so that development can resume. Instead, the body needs to be trained and encouraged in highly specific ways so that development can be supported in the areas of need. Common forms of therapy that are utilized in treating developmental delays include: • Speech therapy • Occupational therapy • Physical therapy • Behavioral therapy Physical therapy is an ideal form of intervention for when physical developmental delays are present. During physical therapy, your child is provided with direct care from an experienced physical therapist who specializes in the direct area of need. Early interventions featuring physical therapy will include strategies to encourage muscle development, ability to walk and control extremity function, and improve overall mobility. To help develop and improve traditional skills and movement abilities, physical therapists will engage in the following sort of activities: • Take measurements of your child’s strength and agility • Analyze a child’s gait, considering how a child walks or runs
• Consult with other medical professionals regarding your child’s developmental status • Provide instructions for at-home exercise and activities In doing this, your child’s physical therapist will be able to help your child with improved flexibility, increased muscle movement and control, improved ability to walk or crawl, and even increased coordination and ability to engage in adaptive play. Not all children need physical therapy, but for those who are experiencing developmental delays, physical therapy is a great resource to help improve developmental skills. Before seeking help for developmental skills it is a good idea to talk to your child’s pediatrician to determine if developmental delays are actually present, and to have a discussion with your child’s physical therapist about goals and concerns that you think physical therapy may be able to help address.
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7 TIPS TO SURVIVING THE HOLIDAYSWITH YOUR SPECIAL NEEDS CHILD
For many parents of children with special needs, the stretch of time betweenOctoberandJanuarycanfeel likeonebig inhale.Betweendressing up for Halloween, socializing over Thanksgiving, turning back clocks for Daylight Savings, and of course, the countless festivities associated with Hanukkah, Christmas, Ramadan and other holidays, there are a lot of big events where kids are expected to be on their best behavior. The sights, smells, sounds and expectations can make a neurotypical child irritable; it can do that and more for a child with special needs. Here are seven tips for helping your child with special needs navigate the season with a little more joy. 1. Safe Space Whenever you visit a person’s house or stay at your own, establish a “safe zone” for your child so that she can retreat and be alone, if desired. This may be a room in the house or even a desk she can crawl under for a time. 2. Maintain Routines -- as Much as Possible Quite likely, there will be routines forsaken, forgotten or simply adjusted for festivities. Many children with sensory issues or autism struggle with such change. As a result of their brains and bodies adapting well, they may become overly disorganized and overstimulated; more, they likely will exhibit more sensory seeking/avoidance behaviors and have meltdowns more frequently. If an occupational therapist has made recommendations for a special sensory diet, try to maintain those activities as much as possible to foster physical and emotional regulation. 3. Introduce Sensory Input Slowly For many of the Fall and Winter holidays, sensory input is at a maximum. Between Christmas’ twinkling lights and Hanukkah’s fragrant oils cooking, many children with special needs are easily overwhelmed. To help with
this adjustment, introduce new sites, smells, and sounds one at a time, when possible. Combine it with familiar, cozy sensory input as well. 4. Utilize Tools Ask a pediatric therapist for recommendations of equipment or tools that may help your child and family. For children with physical challenges, TheraTogs and Kinesio Tape may be useful. Children with autism may benefit from weighted blankets, earmuffs, and specialty sand. Those with ADHD often find comfort in fidget toys and calming jars. 5. Prep Family If you’ll be spending time with family and friends who haven’t been around your child much, consider giving them a little tutorial in advance. If you aren’t yet comfortable giving all the details of your child’s condition, just offer ideas on how your child best responds. For instance, Madison loves high fives more than hugs or Adam is still learning how to try new foods. 6. Simplify Opening Presents For children who struggle with fine motor skills, reduce frustration by adjusting presents and cards. Loosen ribbons, unseal envelopes, and minimize tape so your child can feel successful with little frustration. He’ll feel a sense of satisfaction over the ability to complete tasks. 7. Enlist a Support Team Identify at least one other person who will be on your side during the gathering. This person can help ensure the special space is prepared ahead of time or that your child is taken care of while you visit and eat. While it’s impossible to cover every possible concern, following these suggestions should make the season more enjoyable for everyone.
centerforpediatrictherapies.com
Staff Spotlight Frances L. Phetteplace, MS, CF-SLP SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST
Frances L. Phetteplace, MS, CF-SLP is a Speech- Language Pathologist at the Center for Pediatric Therapies in Lynchburg, Virginia. She joined the team at CPT in June 2016. Frances attended Indiana University-Purdue University at Indianapolis where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Biology with minors in Anthropology and Chemistry. She continued her education at Longwood University in Farmville, Virginia where she earned a Master of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders. Frances is currently completing her Clinical Fellowship (CF). She previously completed clinical internships at EC
Glass High School, at Lynchburg General Hospital in acute care and at Lynchburg Baptist Hospital in acute rehab. Frances is a member of the American Speech and Hearing Association (ASHA). Her favorite part of being a Speech-Language Pathologist is engaging with the clients and participating in their development. She is specializing in the evaluation and treatment of feeding disorders. Outside of work, Frances enjoys hiking, exercising, reading and cooking.
centerforpediatrictherapies.com
OUR SERVICES
• Pediatric Occupational Therapy • Pediatric Physical Therapy • Pediatric Speech-Language Therapy • Building Blocks Center for Children with Autism
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WRITING A REVIEW IS JUST A CLICK AWAY!
Center for Pediatric Therapies values each of our patients and believes that every child is truly special. We invite you to share your child’s experience with CPT by leaving us a review on Facebook. Simply log onto Facebook, visit our page @centerforpediatrictherapies then click Reviews to tell people what you think. We’d love to hear how physical, occupational, and speech therapy have impacted your child’s life.
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“ We’ve been coming to CPT for years now, and they are fantastic. Their therapists do so well with the kids, and they genuinely just want to help. ” - Mandy M.
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