How Pediatric Therapy Can Help Your Child
Did you know that 10-15% of preschool children have some developmental delay?
Pediatric therapy programs help children achieve their physical, social, and cognitive potential. Many types of pediatric therapy are available to support various children's issues.
All parents want the best for their children. It's important to be aware of the pediatric therapy options available. Therapy can provide extra support for parents when necessary.
Read on to learn more about how pediatric therapy makes a difference in the lives of children.
What is Pediatric Therapy?
Therapy is the process of meeting with a therapist to treat specific concerns. Therapy can be beneficial at any point in a person's life. Children needing extra support can attend pediatric therapy.
All forms of pediatric therapy aim to develop physical, social, and cognitive skills. Pediatric therapists provide care and use creative, play-based methods to teach age-appropriate skills. Pediatric therapy prepares children for success in school, social environments, and beyond.
Pediatric Physical Therapy
Physical therapy for children focuses on bringing children to their fullest physical potential. Physical therapists may work with disabled children or those born with abnormalities. Physical therapy can also help children recovering from an illness, injury, or amputation.
The therapist may guide a child through various activities during physical therapy sessions. The activities will help build motor skills and increase mobility. These activities could include balancing, walking, throwing and catching toys, and more.
Physical therapy is very helpful for children with autism and sensory processing disorders. Signs of a sensory processing disorder include heightened senses of touch, smell, or hearing. Children with this disorder may have dramatic responses to "bad" stimuli.
Bad stimuli could be distinct scents, textures, or sounds. Sometimes, a stimulus is upsetting enough to induce meltdowns in children. Therapists teach children to communicate feelings instead of melting down.
Some children have a strong aversion to eating food or drinking water due to sensory issues. They may refuse certain foods, cough or gag during feedings, and fail to gain weight. Feeding dysfunction therapy helps children overcome food aversions and communicate about food.
Pediatric Speech Therapy
Pediatric speech therapists help children learn correct pronunciation and vocal inflections. Proper speech allows children (and adults) to communicate ideas with others.
Many children with Autism Spectrum Disorder can have abnormal speech patterns. Common speech patterns include cluttering speech, echolalia, or monotone inflection. Other children with autism may be non-verbal or have delayed speech development.
Speech therapists will work with children on reading, writing, and pronouncing words. Therapists will show correct pronunciation and ask children to practice syllables and sounds. Pediatric therapists often use riddles and rhymes to keep children excited and involved.
You may have heard the phrase, "children are like sponges." This means that their brains are very pliable. They absorb knowledge tirelessly while they're young.
As children age, correcting speech patterns and impediments can become more difficult. If your child displays abnormal speech, start them in a speech therapy program soon. Proper speech will help your child find their voice and make friends at school.
Pediatric Occupational Therapy
The term "occupational therapy" may make you wonder: isn't my child a little young for a career?
The "job" of children is to learn, grow, and develop necessary life skills. Pediatric occupational therapy guides children through daily routines and social interactions. Occupational therapy can combine with physical therapy and speech therapy.
Occupational therapists use games and activities to help children develop fine motor skills. They may also teach healthy habits and social skills. For example, an occupational therapist may show a child with autism how to brush their teeth and get dressed.
Occupational therapy can also help children with cognitive delays or mental disabilities. Children in occupational therapy learn how to ask for help, play alone, and make friends. After occupational therapy, children can become more independent and self-sufficient.
Pediatric Counseling
Pediatric counseling can be another form of pediatric therapy. Children can develop mental health and behavioral issues as early as two years old. Unfortunately, mental health care for children is often delayed because parents aren't sure if problems are a "phase."
Counseling can be beneficial for developing coping and social skills at any age. Pediatric counseling can help children learn to handle emotions like fear and anger.
Counselors may also aid in diagnosing and treating more severe cases. They may detect early signs of schizophrenia, ADHD, or bipolar disorder.
Is Therapy Right for Your Child?
Any child can succeed with one or more forms of pediatric therapy. If you suspect your child may not be developing vital skills as they should, enroll them in therapy. Here are many common skills your child may gain from pediatric therapy:
Fine and gross motor skills
Body awareness and coordination
Self-care skills
Social interaction skills
Proper speech and pronunciation
Sensory processing
Emotional self-control
Confidence and self-expression
They say it takes a village to raise a child. A therapist can serve as a valuable team member for parents and caregivers. Therapists provide extra social support to children and make parenting much more manageable.
Striving for Individual Success
Every child has unique needs. Therapy has helped countless children around the world reach their fullest potential. Enrolling your child in early pediatric therapy can be invaluable for their success!
Suppose you've already searched for pediatric therapy in America. You may find Cole Pediatric Therapy, ABC Pediatric Therapy, and Winter Pediatric Therapy. Children's Developmental Services of Campbell County offers the best pediatric therapy programs in Wyoming!
We emphasize compassionate, play-centered approaches in children's developmental aid. Contact us here to learn more about our services!