April is OT Month


Help us celebrate OT Month!

April Honors Occupational Therapists.  Here at Pediatric Therapy Partners, we have an amazing group of OTs that work to improve a child's physical development, social and emotional development, cognition, and sensory processing skills to assist the child to maximize their functional potential in all areas of daily living.

Our therapist have certifications or extensive training in many different areas including Sequential Oral Sensory Approach to feeding (SOS Program); Torticollis; Neuro-Developmental Treatment (NDT); Handwriting Without Tears; Beckman Massage for oral motor deficits and feeding issues; and assistive technology/adaptive equipment.

Are meal times frustrating? OTs can introduce feeding therapy to help identify specific concerns and improve feeding skills.

Is your child oversensitive to sound or often bumping into objects or other people? Do they have a hard time “keeping still”?  Sensory Integration therapy can address these areas and concerns and at PTP we have one of the regions only SIPT (Sensory Integration and Praxis Test) certified therapists.  Therapeutic Listening is another treatment tool we can use to address concerns in these areas.

If your child is struggling with day-to-day interactions and overall social skills, Social Group can be a great way to address some of these issues. Turn taking, self-awareness, communication, safety, following directions, boundaries, and expressions of wants and needs are some the things we address in this group.

The OTs at PTP play a vital role in the treatment of many different conditions and do so in many different ways.  If you would like more information on occupational therapy, please visit our website at www.pediatrictherapypartners.com.


RESOURCES:
http://www.aota.org/otmonth

Autism Awareness Month

A time to celebrate, a time to educate, and a time to make a difference: April is Autism Awareness Month. Help raise awareness by sharing knowledge and showing support.  

About 1 in 88 children has been identified with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) according to estimates from the Center for Disease Control's Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network. Caused by an abnormality in the brain, this term helped describe the withdrawal behavior in young children. Autism derives from the Greek word “autos”, or self.
Some signs to look for, according to the Autism Society, include lack of or delay in speech, repetitive language or actions, little or no eye contact, lack of interest or distance in relationships, lack of spontaneity, and fixation on objects.
Recognizing these signs can open doors for early intervention services, where children can be diagnosed at an early age. Doctors, therapists, teachers and other professionals can team together to help the child learn to communicate better and reach new milestones.

Pediatric Therapy Partners is thrilled to have an Autism Team with therapists who have received their Autism Certification. After course work, case studies, and required projects, this certification allows the therapists to share their knowledge with families and better treat their patients by having a greater understanding of the diagnosis.
All of our therapists at PTP work with children with autism spectrum disorders in some way. With new treatment strategies, compassion, and access to community resources, therapists at PTP can help educate the public while serving children on the autism spectrum.

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On a local level, there are several opportunities to learn more and raise awareness about autism spectrum disorders.
FM Autism Support Group meets every 2nd Friday of the month September-May from 7:00-9:00pm at Pediatric Therapy Partners. It is a parent-led and parent-directed forum to share and exchange ideas, barriers and triumphs! Childcare is provided. Check out the Facebook page for more information on the FM Autism Support Group. 

“3rd Annual Faces of Autism” takes place April 15-25, sponsored by the FM Autism Support Group. This event is an exhibit in the West Acres Mall Herberger’s Wing that is designed to increase awareness and showcase our wonderful community members with an autism spectrum disorder.  It is open to anyone who would like to share a picture of their loved one.  You are responsible for putting up and taking down your photo.  Come check it out, as it is always a moving exhibit.



Pediatric Therapy Partners has recognized a need for ongoing autism communication and education and has developed a free, three-part seminar offered by the PTP Autism Team to educate parents and the community.
All sessions will be held from 6:30-8:00pm at the Ramada Plaza & Suites, 1635 42nd St. S, Fargo, ND.
Part 1: Autism Spectrum Disorders: What Does It Mean for Your Child? Explaining the Diagnosis: Thursday, April 11, 2013.

Part 2: Autism Spectrum Disorders: Treatments and Resources to Help Your Child Succeed: Thursday, May 9, 2013.

Part 3: Autism Spectrum Disorders: Tips and Ideas That Work for Home and Community Life: Thursday, June 13, 2013.

Space is limited to the first 100 people for each of the three parts. Please call (701) 232-2340 or email info@pediatrictherapypartners.com today to RSVP!


If you have concerns about your child, please call or visit our website at www.pediatrictherapypartners.com

 


RESOURCES:
http://www.autism-society.org/

http://www.autismspeaks.org

http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/addm.html

http://www.webmd.com/brain/autism/history-of-autism