Grand Valley Pediatric Therapy

Pediatric Occupational Therapy

Pediatric Occupational therapists help children achieve goals related to fine motor skills, sensory processing, activities of daily living, executive functioning and feeding.

Children who could benefit from occupational therapy may present with the following difficulties:

• Difficulty using utensils, a toothbrush, hairbrush, etc.
• Difficulty using scissors or writing
• Difficulty with feeding, such as gagging, picky eating or refusal of foods
• Difficulty with buttoning, tying shoes or managing zippers or snaps
• Sensory processing difficulties such as tolerating certain smells, sounds, environments or aversions to certain clothing or textures
• Difficulty with attention, following directions and/or transitions between activities
• Difficulty with hand and eye coordination

Pediatric Speech Language Therapy

Communication is a fundamental skill. It is essential to learning, playing, social interaction and creating relationships. Speech language pathologists help children achieve goals related to communication. Impaired communication can affect every aspect of a child’s life. In addition to communication, a speech language pathologist also helps infants and children with feeding, suckling and swallowing difficulties related to oral motor or oropharyngeal disorders.

Children who could benefit from speech language therapy may present with the following difficulties:

• Difficult to understand or unintelligible speech
• Delayed comprehension of language
• Delayed expressive language
• Difficulties with pragmatics (social language/skills)
• Difficulties with fluent speech (stuttering)
• Difficulties with non-verbal communication
• Difficulties with voice (hoarse, breathy, nasality)
• Difficulties with dysphagia (feeding, suckling, swallowing)
• Need for augmentative or alternative communication (pictures or devices to communicate)

Pediatric Physical Therapy

Pediatric physical therapists assist children in developing and enhancing mobility so they may safely participate in activities at home, in the classroom, on the playground and in the community. They address skills that help children take part in important movement activities such as crawling, walking, running and playing games. Additionally, the physical therapist teaches children how to navigate mobility aids, such as wheelchairs, walkers, crutches and other supports, safely in various environments.

Children who could benefit from physical therapy may present with the following difficulties:

• Delayed gross motor development
• Difficulties with muscle tone and strength
• Difficulties with posture/postural control
• Difficulties with pre-gait and gait training
• Difficulties with neuromuscular function
• Difficulties with endurance
• Orthopedic injuries
• Need for mobility aids
• Need for environmental adaptations