Question 1

What are the policies and guidelines for Fitness for Health clients?

Accepted Answer

The following guidelines are designed to help create a treatment environment that is efficient and runs smoothly. If you have any questions, please feel free to speak with the administrative team.

Please have your child dressed in clothing that is easy to move in and is OK if it gets dirty.  
Client/Patient understands that access to FFH’s exercise facilities is limited to the Client/Patient’s scheduled training/therapy time, and that family members or guests may not use these facilities. If you wish to observe the treatment session, please discuss this with your therapist beforehand. Due to HIPAA privacy regulations, a specific procedure must be followed to protect the privacy of other clients. Parents or guardians are not permitted to enter the gym on the first floor or the treatment areas on the third floor.
Our therapy sessions typically last just under an hour. The final 5 minutes may be used for family education, discussion, and documentation. If you feel additional time is needed to address any concerns, please arrange that time with your therapist to avoid overlapping into the next appointment. If you leave the clinic during your child’s therapy session, please return 10 minutes before the session ends to allow ample time for your therapist to review the session and complete the necessary documentation. 
Please ensure you are prompt in picking up your child before their session ends, as we do not have childcare facilities. Failure to return on time more than once will result in a requirement that you remain on the premises during your child’s treatment. Please note that a late pickup fee of $15 per 5-minute increment will apply if you are not on time.  
5. You will be notified as far in advance as possible when your therapist is ill, on vacation or attending a conference. In the event of a therapist’s or fitness specialist’s absence or a scheduling conflict, FFH will re-assign the Client/Patient to another appropriate staff member to maintain the Client/Patient’s progress. Every effort will be made to reschedule your appointments so that your child will miss as little treatment as possible. 
Please keep your child home if they are experiencing any of the following symptoms: 
Appears ill and is unable to participate in therapy.
Is suspected of having contagious disease/condition 
Exhibits vomiting or diarrhea or has yellow or green mucus, indicating infection  
Has a fever of 100.4 or greater (a client may not return to Fitness for Health until they are fever free for 24 hours without fever reducing medications such as Tylenol or Motrin). 
If a client arrives for their session exhibiting any of the previously mentioned symptoms, they may be sent home, and a late cancellation fee will apply. 
Cancellation/Missed Appointment Policy: Please provide 24 hour notice to cancel an appointment. You will be charged  the full session fee if you No Show. You may nullify the fee by rescheduling your appointment to take place within 30 days of the appointment you canceled/missed.

When you or your child are scheduled for a training/therapy session at Fitness for Health, that time is reserved especially for you to reach your fitness or therapy goals, but this can only occur with regular attendance and punctuality. It is essential, to maximize therapeutic gains of intervention, that you consistently attend your regularly scheduled appointments. Having 3 cancellations without rescheduling will result in the loss of a reserved time slot and your child will be placed on a floating schedule or on the waiting list for another time slot. We highly encourage rescheduling appointments when you need to cancel.

Question 2

What is the difference between Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy?

Accepted Answer

Physical Therapy (PT) and Occupational Therapy (OT) are both healthcare professions that help individuals improve their ability to perform daily activities, but they focus on different aspects of rehabilitation.

Physical Therapy primarily aims to improve physical mobility, strength, balance, and coordination. It involves exercises to enhance range of motion, flexibility, and strength, along with modalities like heat, cold, or manual therapy to reduce pain and improve movement. PT is typically used to treat musculoskeletal injuries, neurological conditions, post-surgical rehabilitation, and chronic conditions affecting movement, with the goal of restoring or improving physical function so individuals can perform basic tasks like walking, lifting, and climbing stairs.

Occupational Therapy helps individuals of all ages develop the skills needed to perform activities of daily living (ADLs) such as dressing, eating, bathing, and working, while also addressing emotional regulation to support overall well-being. For children, pediatric occupational therapy focuses on developing skills needed for play, socializing, and self-care, particularly when physical, cognitive, sensory, or developmental challenges are present. Therapists use exercises, adaptive techniques, and assistive devices to improve independence and address motor, sensory, and emotional needs. Through play-based interventions, they work on fine and gross motor skills, coordination, and self-regulation, while also helping children manage stress and sensory sensitivities. OT interventions for adults often focus on enhancing functional independence following physical or cognitive impairments such as stroke, brain injuries, or developmental delays. Overall, the goal of occupational therapy is to improve functional independence, emotional resilience, and quality of life, empowering individuals to engage in meaningful activities, manage emotions effectively, and thrive in their daily routines.

Question 3

How is outpatient therapy different from school-based therapy?

Accepted Answer

Outpatient occupational therapy and school-based occupational therapy both aim to support individuals in developing the skills necessary to perform daily tasks, but they differ in their settings, goals, and approaches.

Setting: Outpatient therapy takes place in clinics or private practices, while school-based therapy is provided within the school system.
Focus: Outpatient therapy addresses broader functional needs (e.g., independence at home, work, or in the community), whereas school-based therapy focuses specifically on helping students succeed in academic and school-related tasks.
Collaboration: Outpatient therapists typically work directly with the individual and their family, while school-based therapists collaborate with teachers, parents, and school staff to support the student’s participation in school activities.
Goals: The goals of outpatient therapy are often more general, focusing on physical and emotional function across a variety of settings, whereas school-based therapy has a more targeted focus on academic success and social participation within the school environment.

In essence, while both types of therapy aim to improve functional abilities, outpatient therapy provides broader support for daily living, while school-based therapy is focused on helping students overcome challenges that affect their performance in the educational setting.

Question 4

Directions and parking

Accepted Answer

Our address is 11140 Rockville Pike, Suite 303, Rockville, Maryland 20852.

Please Note: GPS and online maps may give incorrect directions to our facility.  In order to assure accuracy in the directions, please enter the following address into your navigation system. (This address will help you find the parking garage.):

5410 Edson Lane
Rockville, Maryland 20852

Please call 301-231-7138 if you are still having difficulty locating our facility.

Parking
From Rockville Pike, turn onto Edson Lane and then left into the BECO Building parking garage. You can park anywhere in the BECO Building parking garage. Please bring your parking garage ticket in with you for complimentary validation.

Question 5

Can I get there via Metro?

Accepted Answer

Fitness for Health is conveniently located near the White Flint Metro Stop on the Red Line. Exit the White Flint Metro Stop and walk south on Rockville Pike for 0.6 mile, toward White Flint Mall. From Rockville Pike, turn right onto Edson Lane and then left into the BECO Building entrance.

Question 6

What Insurances do you take?

Accepted Answer

We currently accept Tricare, Kaiser, and HSCSN. Please contact our office manager Cecilia at info@fitnessforhealth.org or 301-231-7138 with any questions related to insurance.

Question 7

What do I need to bring to my child’s first appointment?

Accepted Answer

Please arrive at least 20 minutes early for your first appointment so you have time to go over the necessary paperwork. Feel free to download the patient forms, fill them out ahead of time and bring them in. Please arrive with your family insurance cards, photo ID and current list of any medications. In addition, it is very helpful if you take some time to write down questions you may have as well as common signs, symptoms and difficulties with activities your child has. We appreciate copies of any prior reports or other medical documentation that may assist the therapist with getting to know your child’s medical history. In addition, please bring any necessary equipment or assistive devices that your child commonly uses.

FAQs and Policies

Frequently asked questions