Modeling correct sounds and syllables in words and sentences
Oral-motor/feeding and swallowing intervention activities
Oral exercises — including facial massage and various tongue, lip, and jaw exercises — to strengthen the muscles of the mouth for eating, drinking, and swallowing
Consulting with other professionals
Providing education to caregivers
Physical Therapy
The goal of pediatric physical therapy is to promote independence, increase participation, facilitate motor development and function, and improve strength and endurance.
Pediatric Physical Therapists specialize in the evaluation and treatment of diagnoses that limit physical function. Physical Therapists address skills that help children take part in:
Balance
Core and Extremity Strength
Muscle tone and strength
Posture/postural control
Pre-gait and gait training
Locomotion patterns
Neuromuscular function
Endurance
Musculo-skeletal conditions
Body alignment
Splinting/bracing/orthotics
Seating and positioning
They do this by
Gross Motor Skills
Crawling
Rolling
Walking
Running
Jumping
Consulting with other professionals
Therapeutic exercise
Encouraging appropriate motor development to enhance the child’s capabilities and prevent additional impairments
Modeling correct sounds and syllables in words and sentences
Collaborating with caregivers and child to create effective carry-over from the physical therapy provision site to home
Positioning and mobility of walkers, wheelchairs, and other mobility aid.
Providing education to caregivers
Assessing and modifying environmental obstacles that might impede optimal performance
Occupational Therapy
Pediatric occupational therapy focuses on the “occupations” of childhood: play, socialization, self-care and school performance.
Pediatric Occupational Therapists specialize in the evaluation and treatment of children with delays or differences in:
Fine Motor Skills
Motor Coordination Skills
Hand Eye Coordination
Feeding Skills
Behavior
Attention
Visual Motor Skills
Visual Perception Skills
Self-Care Skills
Sensory Processing
Emotional Regulation
Aversions
They do this by
Improving upper extremity muscle strength, endurance, range of motion, coordination, fine motor abilities and function
Recommending strategies for managing decreased or emerging function and movement which may include assistive equipment
Working on social and peer interaction skills
Providing education to caregivers
Consulting with other professionals
Collaborating with caregivers and child to create effective carry-over from the occupational therapy provision site to home
