Sky Lakes Medical Center | Live Smart | Fall 2019

SkyLakes.org | LIVE smart 3 By Avery Dumbeck, OT; Dena Keppen, PT; and Kayla Taylor, PT, of Sky Lakes Pediatric Therapy Here to help Sky Lakes Pediatric Therapy, at 2688 Campus Drive, offers physical, occupational and speech therapy to infants, children and youth up to age 18. Call us at 541-274-3820 . As parents, we want to support our children’s growth to foster confidence and independence. Parenting is a full-time and sometimes stressful job, and stress can be compounded by worrying about whether your child is properly developing. Pediatric therapists, professionals who are knowledgeable in childhood development, are here to help you. Besides treating injuries, pediatric therapists can help support your child’s development and address potential issues related to developmental delays. Pediatric therapists focus on developmental conditions, such as speech delays, impaired motor skills, muscle development, difficulties with social interaction, feeding difficulties and other skills that children need for further growth. Therapy can boost a child’s confidence, strength and function. Therapists work directly with children CHILD DEVELOPMENT and parents to help build skills and provide support, education and strategies for continuing to improve on these skills at home. Physical therapy As a child ages, problems related to overall movement, coordination and strength—as well as recovery from injury—can be addressed through physical therapy. For example, children who are not able to hold their heads upright or sit by themselves by 6 months may need support through physical therapy. Occupational therapy A child not meeting developmental milestones may need occupational therapy to refine motor and self-care skills such as holding items, drawing, using table utensils and brushing their teeth. Children may also benefit from therapy if they struggle with sensory experiences, such as touch, sound or light. Speech therapy As your child learns to talk, you may wonder what is typical as far as the amount and types of words they should be using. Therapy sessions can improve understanding, speaking, and social communication skills in children. Therapists work with both the child and the family to practice age-appropriate communication skills. Most young children make errors when learning to speak, but if they continue to be difficult to understand or unwilling to talk or listen as they age, therapy may help. Feeding therapy Many children have difficulties with feeding. It may be because of a sensory aversion to certain foods or difficulties with chewing and swallowing certain foods. Speech therapists, occupational therapists or physical therapists may work on these skills independently with the parents and child, or they may work as a team to provide a personalized plan. Our goal with pediatric therapy is to support healthy, happy, confident kids here in the Klamath Basin. Could my child benefit from therapy?