Looking Ahead Pediatric Physical Therapy, PLLC specializes in the care of infants and young children with oral motor functioning deficits, oral restrictions, difficulty with bottle feeding/breastfeeding, skills required for transition to solids and cup drinking, as well as early receptive-expressive language and speech sound production needs. Our individualized approach emphasizes caregiver involvement and collaboration with all health care professionals in order to meet your child’s goals. Your child will undergo a comprehensive initial evaluation with our expert pediatric speech-language pathologist. Based on the results of the evaluation, an individualized treatment plan will be recommended. Parents and caregivers will be provided with a customized, ongoing, therapeutic home program that should be incorporated into your child’s daily routine as best as possible. The greatest improvements are seen in children with early identification and caregivers who are most compliant with their daily home program while attending speech/feeding therapy treatment sessions.
Typical treatment sessions can include the following:
Feeding Therapy
Stretches engaging the facial features and oral mechanism. Completion of exercises relating to oral motor functioning and reflexes. Feeding trials at breast/bottle and/or with solid progression to target strength and coordination of suck, swallow, and mastication. Non-nutritive trials. Use of therapeutic tools/techniques to elicit developmentally appropriate skills.
Speech & Language Therapy
Play-based, therapeutic activities tailored to target each child’s specific developmental level/needs. Repetitious trials to promote correct placement of articulators and specific sound production. Direct models of age-appropriate speech and language expectations, as well as models for strategies to be used in the home environment to promote progress.
Both Services
Follow up re: previous week’s progress, home care recommended, and carryover. Ongoing parent and caregiver education. Recommendations for consult with other pediatric specialists to discuss needs relating to nutrition, GI difficulties, restrictions, etc. when appropriate/warranted.
