Do I need to attend my child’s sessions?
Parental involvement is an important part of a successful therapy plan. Although you may not be in the therapy room during the entire session, you will need to remain near for safety consideration. Communication after each session is imperative to get the most out of therapy for your child. Studies have show children are more successful when their parents and therapists work together and education and ideas are carried over into the home.
How often will my child receive therapy?
After the evaluation, a plan will be made with you based on your child’s needs, ability to participate, their age, diagnosis, and your family’s schedule and ability to follow through with home activities and recommendations.
Different levels of frequency or intensity available:
- Intensive: Several times a week for a short period of time
- Weekly: Once a week
- Periodic: Check-ins every couple of months
- Consultative: as needed basis, more suitable for education of parents or older children
How long will my child receive therapy?
Therapist are unable to predict how a child will respond to treatments and therefore are unable to determine the length of time. Re-evaluations will be done yearly to assess progress and to re-evaluate growth in skills. Of course changes in frequency and duration are to be expected as your child will go through different life phases that may require more or less therapy as well as the impact of juggling family life. Polka Dot Kids LLC is committed to serving you and your family the best we can.
What kind of assessments are available?
Standardized and play based assessments are available. Standardized assessments are great tools to determine where your child’s skills are compared to similar aged peers.
How is occupational therapy different from physical therapy?
Occupational therapy (OT) and physical therapy (PT) are very closely related, however occupational therapy tends to focus on restoring functional skills in daily life and physical therapy tends to focus more on functional mobility. In pediatrics, OT’s commonly work on self-help skills, self-regulation, sensory processing, executive functioning, motor planning and coordination and find motor skills. PTs often work on strength and endurance, range of motion, balance and walking. Activities completed by both may look very similar but the lens through which the therapist sees through is different.
What is the difference between school based therapy and private or outpatient therapy?
School-based therapy focuses on educational impact and have different standards for qualification. It focuses on a student’s ability to fully access their education and environment while at school. This might include working on:
- moving within the school building or using playground equipment (including bathroom, specials, lunchroom, classroom, playground)
- working on handwriting and legibility
- improving fine motor skills required to use classroom tools like scissors, glue, pencils, etc.
- strategies to help with executive functioning like organization
- working with the teacher to modify the classroom or learning materials
- working with teachers and staff on sensory diets/breaks during the school day
Private based therapy can address all skills needed to function across all environments. It is not as limited in scope to just eduction like school based. Private therapy can address things like the following:
- activities of daily living/self-help skills
- play and motor skill development
- social skills
- sensory processing and modulation
- coordination
- mobility, strength, and endurance
- feeding
- executive functioning