Occupational Therapy
Fitness for Health’s pediatric occupational therapy services are designed to help children with a broad range of special needs enhance their self-esteem and self-confidence and reach their greatest potential.
The term “occupation” is defined as our everyday activities that we need and want to do. In our practice, children are expected to engage in tasks that define them as a son or daughter, a sibling, a student, or a peer. Activities include being able to explore their environment in a functional manner, learning how to engage and interact with those around them and, of course, PLAY! Children learn through play. Occupational therapists seek to enable children who are experiencing needs in any of these areas so that they can reach their optimal potential and fulfill these occupational roles.
Our licensed occupational and physical therapists work with each family to create a customized plan of care that combines evidence-based sensory integration techniques and our innovative exergaming equipment—including a 3D virtual reality gaming system, a 30-foot trampoline, and a laser maze—to help children build the critical skills they need to succeed in everyday life.
We place great importance on working closely with parents and other caregivers for carryover into the home. Our pediatric occupational therapists focus on the following areas:
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Self-regulation strategies
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Daily living / self-help training
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Fine motor function and handwriting
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Functional movement / play skills
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Gross motor function and coordination
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Crossing the midline
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Support IEP goals
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Mental processing
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Visual motor function
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Proprioception
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Maximize independence
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Home and School Consultations
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And more
At Fitness for Health, our occupational therapy plans include:
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An individual evaluation to determine patient goals.
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Customized intervention activities to improve daily tasks and activities for the patient.
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An evaluation of outcomes to determine if goals were met and to make changes to the plan, if needed.
Our occupational therapy model stands out due to its unique approach that integrates dual tasking and cognitive skills into play and functional tasks. By incorporating cognitive strategies into activities, we help children develop self-regulation skills as well as fine motor, gross motor, communication, and play skills.
Key features of our model include:
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Dual Tasking Focus: All our equipment and activities are designed to combine executive function skills with functional tasks, promoting simultaneous cognitive and physical engagement. This dual tasking approach ensures that children engage both their minds and bodies simultaneously, promoting better coordination and integration of skills.
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Executive Functioning: Activities are designed to challenge executive functions such as planning, working memory, attention, and problem-solving.
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Cognitive Engagement: Tasks often involve decision-making and critical thinking, encouraging children to process sensory information and respond appropriately.
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State-of-the-Art Equipment: We utilize cutting-edge exer-gaming technology that makes working on fine and gross motor skills engaging and enjoyable for children. This innovative approach ensures that therapy sessions are so fun that children often don't realize they're participating in therapeutic activities!
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Customizable and Scalable Tasks: All of our equipment is highly customizable, allowing us to adjust the difficulty of tasks to match each child's individual needs. This ensures appropriate challenges that facilitate growth without causing frustration.
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Holistic Skill Development: Consistent self-regulation and awareness activities provide numerous opportunities for children to practice and solidify essential skills. This practice is crucial for performing age-appropriate motor, social, play, communication, and self-help tasks.
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Comprehensive Support: Our approach includes continuous feedback and collaboration with parents and educators to monitor progress and adjust strategies as needed, ensuring that each child receives the most effective and personalized care.
By blending these elements, our occupational therapy model not only targets immediate developmental goals but also equips children with the skills they need for long-term success in various aspects of their lives.