Please note that the following are general questions. If you are looking for specific age or service-related questions please refer to Services or our Age Groups sections for further information.
My pediatrician told me that my child is ok. My gut says otherwise, what do I do?
It’s important to trust your intuition. You know your child best. Your pediatrician sees your child for a brief moment and does not see the struggles that you may be having day to day. Don’t discount your instincts. If you have a question, please call us.
Does my child need therapy, won’t he just catch up?
Unfortunately, there isn’t one simple answer to this question. Certain developmental difficulties may fall within typical expectations, or may be slightly on the later end of typical, while other concerns may not be typical. Therefore, it would be important to speak with a therapist in our office regarding your specific areas of concern. It’s most appropriate for your child to be evaluated to determine if therapy would be appropriate.
When should I start therapy for my child?
Early intervention is essential to reaching optimal progress in the shortest period of time. Therefore, if your child has been evaluated and your therapist recommends services, starting therapy right away is best.
How long will my child need therapy?
There are a few factors that determine how long your child will need therapy. The duration of therapy is directly related to your child’s areas of difficulty and recommended treatment plan. Some children may have a plan that requires only short term intervention, such as 3 months. However, other children may have a diagnosis (such as Autism) that warrants a much longer course of therapy, often over a year. Attendance at therapy is a factor. A child who cancels therapy visits more often than typical will not progress at the expected rate, resulting in a longer course of intervention. Additionally, carry over of home suggestions is crucial to your child’s rate of progress and will help to ensure the duration will not be extended. Your therapist can discuss with you a projected time line of how long therapy will be needed.
What should I tell my child about why we are coming?
Therapy is often fun for the child. Our clinicians use a play-based approach for all intervention plans. Depending on the type of therapy your child is receiving, you can share with your child that he is going to play. Examples of what your child will be doing include getting to swing, crash in the ball pit, jump on the trampoline, walk on the balance beam, play talking games, color/draw, or set up fun obstacle courses. If your child asks why, you can share, as appropriate, that he is coming to get stronger muscles, help him say his words more clearly, move his body in a more coordinated manner, and/or hold the pencil correctly.
My child gets therapy in school. Why do we need to come to you?
When your child receives therapy at school, it is considered an educationally based service. What this means is that services are provided to address only those skills that are necessary for your child to be successful in his educational setting. Many times these services are provided in a group setting. The Center for Pediatric Therapy provides individualized medically based services. This means that intervention can address any area impacting your child’s ability to succeed. It is often appropriate for your child to receive both educationally based and medically based services.
My child was just diagnosed with Autism. What do I do now?
If your child has just been diagnosed with Autism, it can be a very overwhelming time. We are here to help. Many children with an Autism diagnosis will require occupational therapy and speech-language therapy services as part of their early intervention plan. Our therapists are trained to work with children on the spectrum. We are here to answer any of your questions. Please call if you would like to speak with a therapist or schedule an evaluation.
Why early intervention important? How early is too early?
Early intervention is essential to reaching optimal progress in the shortest period of time. Therefore, if your child has been evaluated and your therapist recommends services, starting therapy right away is best.
Will my insurance pay for therapy?
Many insurance plans cover occupational, physical, and speech therapy services but there may be certain conditions or limitations to your own plan’s coverage. Therefore, it is very important that you know what your plan will cover before your child begins therapy. You should call your insurance company to find out what your plan will cover. Here are some questions to ask:
- Does my plan provide coverage for my child’s occupational, physical, and/or speech therapy?
- How many visits are allowed under my insurance plan?
- If my child needs several therapies, will the same number of visits be allowed for each?
- Are there any exclusions or limitations to therapy coverage? For example, some insurance plans will not cover services for children diagnosed with developmental delay.
For more detailed information, please click on the Insurance tab.