Posted on 9/16/2022 by Weideman Pediatric & Orthodontics
By: Riley Sue
As the school year begins, every parent is eager to see the ways their children will develop and grow throughout the next few months. Teachers are working hard to create positive learning environments and children are excited for the new activities, friends, and skills that they will be introduced to this year. While it’s easy to get wrapped up in the excitement of the school year, many children (especially after a couple of years of nontraditional schooling due to social distancing) may find it hard to transition and to learn. Whether your child has developmental delays or special needs, there are many professionals dedicated to supporting the development of your child. Listed below are some different types of therapies that may be beneficial to your child this year and beyond.
1.
Music Therapy
is an evidenced-based treatment that uses music to treat nonmusical goals within a therapeutic relationship between a board-certified music therapist and a client. Music therapy sessions and interventions can be in group or individual settings and they may address a wide variety of needs, including social/emotional learning, behavior skills, cognitive skills, communication skills, motor (physical) development, and more.
2.
Speech Therapy
is the treatment of communication or language disorders by a Speech Language Pathologist (SLP). Speech therapy is used to address the needs of individuals who need further assistance in communication and speech development. Speech therapy may be given through school or through other outside practices and may be done in groups or individually.
3.
Occupational Therapy
, according to the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), is the “therapeutic use of everyday life occupations with persons, groups, or populations (clients) to support occupational performance and participation.” Occupational Therapists (OTs) use a variety of methods and interventions to improve clients’ ability to perform daily living activities.
4.
Physical Therapy
may be familiar for active adults, but it can also be used with younger populations. Physical therapy focuses on improving gross and fine motor skills and it aims to improve/restore function to an individual’s body. A Physical Therapist (PT) seeks to improve body functioning in order to ultimately improve quality of life.
5.
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Therapy
is the strategic use of positive reinforcement and other behavior strategies to teach appropriate interactions in clients and to make connections for further development. ABA therapy has been known to be a useful therapy for children with autism, children with intellectual disabilities, and children with other developmental needs. Like other therapies, ABA treatment is individualized to address specific goals. Goals are developed by a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and treatment is carried out through one-on-one interaction between a client and his or her own Registered Behavior Technician (RBT). There are many different types of therapies, even beyond what is listed here, that can support the individual needs of every child with special needs. Every child is different and finding the right type of therapy or the right therapist can help your child grow in unimaginable ways.
About | Weideman Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics Dr. Cindy Weideman, Jeff Sue, and Christopher Lee are caring Board Certified Specialists in Pediatric Dentistry with years of experience and knowledge. Weideman Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics - Dr. , 7916 Pebble Beach Dr., #101, Citrus Heights, CA 95610; (916) 962-0577; sacchildrensdentist.com; 10/10/2024; Page Keywords: pediatric dentist Citrus Heights CA;
