When parent-teacher conference season approaches, many parents are excited to hear about their child’s progress. However, for those with children facing challenges in school, these meetings can be overwhelming.
If your child is struggling, clinic-based occupational, speech/language and physical therapies can provide valuable support, helping to enhance their success both in and out of the classroom.
Occupational therapy addresses areas of children’s occupations that relate to your child’s day in school. These can include, but are not limited to attention and focus, visual skills for reading, fine motor and visual motor skills required for completing fasteners on clothes, coloring, handwriting, cutting and catching a ball.
OT also addresses sensory sensitivities from noises, crowds, clothing textures and tolerance to textures for art, such as glue and paint. If they have sensory dysfunctions, like not responding to their name being called or miss key information to carry out given directions, or struggle to “sit still,” OT can help in these areas as well.
Physical therapy will address a child’s gross motor skills such as jumping, coordination, ball skills and balance so they can keep up with peers on the playground and during physical education classes.
Speech/language therapy focuses on building skills to improve your child’s overall ability to effectively communicate which includes receptively understanding communication and building positive relationships with peers through social skills.
Children can qualify for outpatient therapy services with mild to severe delays/disabilities if the services are determined to be medically necessary through an evaluation.
Cost: Depends on a person’s individual insurance plan.
Qualifications/determination: Most insurances require a physician referral and some or all of the following:
1. Results of standardized tests and observations that indicate below average skills.
2. Clinical judgement/professional opinion of the therapist.
3. Criteria set by Medicaid or insurance (some require pre-authorization).
Therapy: The therapist will write goals and objectives to target the areas of need identified during the evaluation. Therapy will focus on those skills. This is done in individual sessions at the clinic.
To qualify: A child is scheduled for an evaluation. The therapist will ask questions, administer standardized tests, observe the child, interact with the child (typically through play or a game), and/or give the caregivers checklists/forms to fill out. The therapist will determine how many sessions per week are needed/recommended to make progress.
If you feel your child would benefit from clinical therapy services to support their academic success, there are resources available in our community to supplement your child’s care.
Kara Takes is the rehab director for Unified Therapy Services in Dubuque.
