THERAPY

    At Cornerstone Pediatric Center, our passion is to empower all children to work through their challenges- big or small- to build confidence and belief in oneself to become who they were created to be.  We offer a variety of services with evidence-based practice interventions. The “cornerstone” of our brain-based therapy uses neurosensorimotor integration techniques to build the foundation from which your child can grow.  Our therapy is interactive and engaging for your child. Our therapists provide intensive treatment using protocols and strategies from evidence-based research. Our main focus is helping families take the first steps to building a solid foundation for the future. 

Occupational Therapy

What is Occupational Therapy?

     Occupational therapists provide skilled treatment to assist children in achieving independence, function, and, most importantly, quality of life. Children’s ‘occupations’ are to learn through play, engagement and interactions with others, and develop independence to help themselves. Your child’s occupation plays a crucial role in the physical and psychological development that will influence how they live the rest of their lives. Our pediatric occupational therapists evaluate primary reflex patterns, sensory processing of information, motor development (including gross, fine, visual, and oral motor skills), postural stability and security, visual processing and perceptual skills, auditory processing skills, self-help skills, feeding, social interactions, and emotional and behavioral concerns.  We carefully examine and consider how proprioceptive, vestibular, and neurotactile processing occurs and impacts functional movement and engagement with one’s environment.  Evaluations are completed through skilled clinical observation as well as standardized assessments.

How can we help?

Occupational therapy is extremely effective in treating a multitude of issues including:

                              *ADD/ADHD        *Anxiety        *Abuse/Neglect

 *Immature Development *Sensory Processing Disorder *Genetic Disorders *Autism

                               *Brain Injuries  *Learning Disabilities/Dyslexia                                                                                                                                                             

                              *Handwriting deficits *Feeding challenges *Trauma

                        *Seizure disorders *Meltdowns and Behavioral Challenges

     Sensory Processing Disorder symptoms occur when the nervous system has not yet matured, or has experienced a trauma that causes a change in the nervous system. When this occurs, reflexes reappear to help maintain a state of survival for the brain and body, causing change in motor patterns and response to sensory stimulation. Providing the body with reflex integration techniques will promote natural development for which we are designed and/or restore the body after experiencing trauma. 

     After completing the initial evaluation, we work with the family to create a family-centered plan of care. Treatment starts with establishing a relationship with the child and building a solid foundation (both emotionally and physically) from which to build skills. Collaboration with teachers, family members, and/or other healthcare professionals is also critical to your child’s progress. 

Speech Therapy

What is Speech and Language Therapy?

     Speech and language therapy is when someone receives services from a speech-language pathologist (SLP) to address communication concerns. The term “speech” refers to the sounds that come out of your mouth to form words. It is the physical process of forming words. “Speech” covers a wide range of communication difficulties including: 

                                            *Articulation and phonology errors  

                                        *Voice disorders  *Oral motor impairment

                                              *Fluency disorders and stuttering 

                                             *Feeding and swallowing difficulties

     “Language” is what we speak, read, write, and understand. There are two types of language; receptive and expressive. Receptive language is the language you hear and understand. Expressive language is the message you create that others understand. Language can be communicated through a variety of ways, such as, speaking, sign language, augmentative and alternative communication, or gestures. Evaluations are completed through skilled clinical observation as well as standardized assessments.

How can we help?

     If there is a delay in any area of speech or language, your child will have a difficult time effectively communicating, which can lead to frustration, difficulty at home and in school, social difficulties, and behavior problems. Your SLP will work with you to create a family-centered plan of care. Treatment starts with establishing a relationship with the child and building a solid foundation (both emotionally and physically) from which to build skills for speech and/or language. Sessions are spent working intensively on the child’s goals and collaborating with you to maximize his/her progress in this process. Your SLP will give you handouts and recommendations of therapy techniques to do at home to promote generalization of skills and increase growth and development in communication.  Collaboration with teachers, family members, and/or other healthcare professionals is also critical to your child’s progress. 

Feeding Therapy

What is feeding therapy?

     Eating (also referred to as feeding in the medical community) is a highly complex skill. It requires multi-sensory processing simultaneously (8 senses!), core strength and stability, oral motor strength and stability, and internal health and digestion, just to name a few things.  While it is so easy and pleasurable for most of us, there are many children that struggle with truly learning HOW to eat. When a child does not have the neurological and physical foundation in place for effective eating, he or she may develop behavioral pattern to avoid this tricky task. 

How can we help?

     Picky or restrictive eating is often a symptom of underlying neurological challenges that are not as visible to the untrained eye. Our team has extensive training in oral motor programs, reflex integration, sensory integration, and restrictive eating to examine the underlying factors causing feeding challenges in your child. Because of the complex nature of eating, Feeding Therapy is often completed in conjunction with Occupational and/or Speech Therapy. Parents and caregivers are crucial to progress in feeding development and are included in the therapy process. As always, and especially with feeding, collaboration with teachers, family members, and/or other healthcare professionals is also critical to your child’s progress.