Occupational therapy benefits children who have delays in fine and gross motor skills, sensory processing, and self care skills. If your child has difficulty with any of the following, occupational therapy can help.
Speech therapy benefits children who are not talking, not talking in complete sentences or are hard to understand as well as children who appear to stutter or have rough/hoarse voices. If your child experiences any of the following then a speech evaluation may be needed:
Physical therapy is beneficial to children who have a physical impairment which might include the following symptoms:
Difficulty with gross motor skills such as walking, running, playing on playground equipment, stair climbing
Occupational and physical therapy provided through the public school system are categorized as related services. This means that in order for a child to receive occupational or physical therapy as a free service through the public school, the child must qualify for special education services. A child cannot receive occupational or physical therapy unless they meet the criterion set up by the state to be eligible for special education. Many students who do not meet this criterion need occupational or physical therapy services.
Additionally, students who do qualify for occupational or physical therapy at school might need additional therapy. While school occupational and physical therapists are highly qualified and perform an excellent service, the realities of school based practice often mean the therapist carries a large caseload and the amount of service provided could be minimal.
In the state of Alabama, speech/language impairment is considered a disability area and a child can qualify for speech therapy services at school even if they do not receive any other types of academic special education services. The state has a specific criterion, or test score, that a child must score below in order to qualify for these services. Many students who do not meet this criterion need speech therapy services.
Additionally, students who do qualify for speech therapy at school might need additional therapy. While school speech therapists are highly qualified and perform an excellent service, the realities of school based practice often mean the therapist carries a large caseload and the amount of service provided could be minimal.
Insurance coverage for occupational, physical and speech therapy varies widely. You will need to check with your insurance company to determine what coverage, if any, you have for occupational, physical and/or speech therapy services, as well as what your deductible and co-insurance will be. Child’sPlay is a “preferred” provider with Blue Cross Blue Shield for occupational, physical, and speech therapy.
The frequency of service is determined by several factors including the severity of the need, the age and attention span of the child, and your personal schedule. Most children receiving services at Child’sPlay Therapy Center attend 1-2 times per week. The length of the session also varies, with most children having 30 or 45 minute sessions. These decisions will be made following the evaluation and will be made by you and your therapist.
The length of time that therapy services are needed varies widely from child to child. Regular collaboration between you and your therapist will guide this decision.
The first step is to call the location most convenient to you. Our offices are located in Birmingham (205) 978-9939, Huntsville (256) 837-2471 and Chelsea (205) 618-8095. We will obtain information from you regarding your concerns about your child and answer any questions you might have. Then we will discuss your scheduling needs and set up a time that works for you and your child.
In addition to our three major therapy areas, Child’sPlay offers: