Pat ient Spot l ight
Harper Winter, age 2 ½, has been getting coordinated pediatric care at Choice Therapy for the past 6 months. Harper’s mom, Sheena, says, “Coordinated care makes scheduling so much easier because she can get physical, occupational and speech therapies right in our hometown of Bagley, plus Stacy at the front desk works around my hectic work schedules to make it all work out. Even more importantly, the quality of care is so much better because all three of her therapists work together and really know how to help Harper.” She’s made great progress since she started physical, occupational and speech therapies. Her occupational therapist has worked with her on sensory issues. In the past, shewould put everything in hermouth and she doesn’t do that anymore. She would never want to be in sand or on the grass, now she loves the outdoors! It used to be hard for Harper towalk due tomuscleweakness but her physical therapy treatments are helping her so she can now run, go up and down stairs and even jump! When she first started speech therapy, she could say about 20words and nowshe’s talking in full sentences. “I think Harper has overcome much of her shyness due to the consistent and weekly visits that helped her become comfortable around people.”
Sheena (Mom)
Her mom, says, “Harper loves all her therapists and going to therapy even when she’s tired and crabby. I think Harper has overcome much of her shyness due to the consistent and weekly visits that helped her become comfortable around people. Now, she’s willing to talk to everyone!”
Meet Our Staff
Kristyn Bergh PT
Kirsten Landmark SLP
Lydia Swanson OTR/L
Having Fun With Your Child This Fall
There are several ways to make therapy fun for your child. ChoosePT offers multiple activities you can do with them, including one in time for fall! The Boot Scoot ‘N’ Shuffle game allows you to play with your child while strengthening their muscles and improving their motor planning and balance skills. To begin, give your child a pair of boots that are bigger than what they would normally wear. Let them walk around in your front or back yard, and encourage them to “shuffle” their feet to make patterns and designs in the fallen leaves. Ask them if they can make certain shapes for you, like a circle or pumpkin. This activity does
require a little bit of patience, so do your best to encourage them to keep trying. To step up the difficulty level, you can rake large piles of leaves to create resistance, and ask your child to shuffle through, jump in, or jump over the leaves. If you don’t have leaves in your yard, no problem! You can also use pine needles, sand, hay, or clippings from the grass if it was cut recently. Be sure to take note of your child’s progress to share with his or her physical therapist at their next appointment!
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