Paediatric Therapy
Developing potential in every child: that's our mission and we take it seriously. Our talented team of occupational therapists, speech language pathologists, physiotherapists, and administrative professionals is dedicated to helping children achieve their maximum potential. By providing a single source for therapy, we are able to provide families with a well coordinated program that utilizes available funding in the most efficient manner. Our team is characterized by a cooperative spirit and a consistent focus on the needs and priorities of the children and families we serve. This approach helps us avoid the resource conflicts that often plague programs delivered by a number of fragmented providers. Our goal is to assist your child in maximizing functional abilities in productive play, behaviour management, learning, cognitive and perceptual motor skill development, self help skills, communication and socialization. Each child’s program is unique and we encourage you to contact us to help us learn more about your child’s needs.
Our Approach, Team and Facility
Each treatment program begins with an Initial Assessment to identify the client's strengths and areas requiring improvement. The assessment draws from parent interview, standardized test results, observation, a review of other reports and feedback from other professionals on the team. A sound assessment is vital in designing an effective and efficient treatment program.
We believe the family is an integral part of the treatment program and provide opportunities for parents to be involved in their child’s program. We work with children on a 1:1 basis on family centered goals. We work closely with parents, teachers, and other members of the child’s therapeutic team to ensure that skills gained in therapy are transferred to real-life settings.
Our professional team members are registrants of their professional colleges & associations, complete yearly criminal records checks and have post graduate training in paediatrics.
Our paediatric clinic is equipped with state of the art therapeutic equipment and assessments and includes a large gym as well as private assessment/treatment rooms. Treatment is offered in the clinic, home and in community settings in a combination tailored to the child and family’s needs.
Can We Help Your Child?
We work with children from the ages of 2 to 19. Although a diagnosis is not required, by way of background, we are able to assist children with the following diagnoses:
- Autism
- Asperger’s Syndrome
- Sensory Processing Disorder
- Brain Injury
- Dyspraxia
- Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD)
- Nonverbal Learning Disabilities (NLD)
- Attention Deficit Disorders (AD/HD)
- Cerebral Palsy
- Developmental Delay
- Dysgraphia
- Down Syndrome
- Fragile X Syndrome
- Motor Incoordination
- Pervasive Developmental Disorders
- Rett’s Syndrome
Occupational Therapy (OT)
OTs use a systematic approach based on evidence and professional reasoning to enable children to develop the means to participate more fully at home, school and in their communities. They do this by using skilled interaction, adaptive aides, education, activities and a number of other methods designed to improve self care, cognitive, visual-perceptual, gross motor and fine motor skills. These skills are critical in effective learning, participation in productive play and skill building activities as well as connecting with peers, family and other members of the community.
Speech-Language Therapy (SLP)
Speech-language therapists provide assessment, treatment, and consultative services to assist children with speech and/or language disorders. A speech disorder refers to difficulties with oral motor skills, speech sound production, voice, and/or fluency. A language disorder refers to difficulties with the understanding or expression of information (may be verbal or non-verbal, spoken or written). SLPs help children to establish the skills necessary to convey their wants and needs, express themselves and participate more meaningfully in relationships at home, school and in the community. SLPs may implement language intervention activities, articulation therapy, voice or fluency training, oral/motor and feeding therapy or implement assistive and augmentative communication technologies.
Physiotherapy (PT)
Paediatric physiotherapists evaluate and treat children with movement dysfunction arising from disease processes, accidents/injuries and congenital or developmental problems. The source of dysfunction may involve impairment to the neuromuscular, musculoskeletal, respiratory or cardiovascular systems. Clinical exercises, modalities, education and hands-on intervention can be used to restore or optimize movement patterns. Specific benefits of physiotherapy include:
- Facilitation of basic mobility skills like crawling and cruising
- Improvements in advanced mobility skills such as walking, running and jumping
- Increased balance, strength and endurance and reductions in muscle spasticity
- Improvement of posture and increased participation in age appropriate physical activity
Funding Options
Available funding depends on your child’s diagnosis and specific situation. The Ministry of Children and Families website provides information about funding eligibility:
http://www.mcf.gov.bc.ca/spec_needs/services_programs.htm
The Community Brain Injury Program for Children & Youth, provides funding for children with brain injury:
http://www.centreforability.bc.ca/?page=11
Extended health plans may also provide coverage for occupational therapy, depending on the plan and carrier.
Where funding options have been exhausted, parents should consider paying for therapy through a health trust which makes therapy fees tax deductible. Please visit Olympia Trust for details: http://www.olympiatrust.com/
Resources
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