Why Is Early Intervention Feeding Therapy So Important for Children?

What is a Frenectomy?

A frenectomy is a minor surgical procedure involving the removal or modification of a frenulum, a small fold of tissue that prevents an organ in the body from moving too far.

Frenectomy Care

Follow Post-Op Instructions:

• Adhere strictly to the post-operative care instructions provided by your healthcare provider.

Pain Management:

• Use recommended pain relief medications as directed.
• Apply cold compresses to reduce swelling and discomfort.

Oral Hygiene:

• Keep the area clean to avoid infections. Gently rinse the mouth with a saline solution as advised.
• Avoid using mouthwash with alcohol as it can irritate the surgery site.

Dietary Adjustments:

• Stick to soft foods and avoid hot, spicy, or acidic foods that may cause irritation.
• Ensure adequate fluid intake to stay hydrated.

Stretching Exercises:

• Perform any stretching exercises as recommended by the surgeon to ensure proper healing and flexibility.

Monitor Healing:

• Keep an eye on the surgical site for signs of infection such as increased redness, swelling, or discharge.
• Contact your healthcare provider if you notice any unusual symptoms.

Follow-Up Appointments:

• Attend all scheduled follow-up appointments to monitor the healing process and address any concerns.

A Collaborative, Child-Centered Approach

At MetroEHS, therapists from various disciplines—speech-language pathology, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and applied behavior analysis (ABA)—collaborate to address the diverse needs of each child. This team-based approach ensures that therapy is cohesive and comprehensive, promoting optimal outcomes.

Dr. Vira Francis, a speech-language pathologist at the West Bloomfield location, emphasizes the importance of this collaboration:

“When we’re using a collaborative and holistic approach with children, it’s like each team member is a puzzle piece. We really make that impact when we all come together to make the big picture, and it really helps to prioritize the child’s needs.”

Services Offered

MetroEHS provides a wide array of pediatric therapy services, including:

• Speech Therapy: Addressing communication challenges, articulation, language development, and literacy skills.
• Occupational Therapy: Focusing on daily living skills such as bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, feeding, play, social participation, and school readiness.
• Physical Therapy: Enhancing gross motor skills, balance, coordination, and strength to support functional movement and participation in activities.
• ABA Therapy: Utilizing evidence-based strategies to improve socially significant behaviors in children with autism and other developmental disorders.

Each therapy session is designed to be engaging and child-led, incorporating play-based methods to make therapy enjoyable and effective.

Creating a Stimulating Environment

The West Bloomfield center is intentionally designed to be colorful and kid-friendly, providing a stimulating environment that encourages active participation. Therapists tailor activities to each child’s interests and sensory needs, ensuring that therapy sessions are both fun and beneficial.

Empowering Families

MetroEHS is committed to not only supporting children but also empowering parents and caregivers. By providing education and resources, they enable families to reinforce therapy goals at home and advocate effectively for their children’s needs.

Parents often ask one important question before preschool or kindergarten begins:

"Is my child ready?"

Many people think school readiness simply means knowing letters, numbers, or colors. While those skills are certainly helpful, they are only one small piece of the puzzle.

The truth is that successful classroom participation depends on many developmental skills working together.

Can your child:

✔ Follow simple directions?

✔ Transition between activities?

✔ Sit with a group?

✔ Ask for help?

✔ Play alongside peers?

✔ Manage big emotions?

✔ Hold crayons and scissors?

✔ Listen during story time?

✔ Walk safely in a classroom?

These everyday abilities often have a much bigger impact on classroom success than academic knowledge alone.

Why School Readiness Matters

The first few years of school help shape confidence, friendships, communication, and lifelong learning habits.

When children enter school with strong foundational skills, they're often able to:

• Participate confidently
• Build friendships
• Follow classroom routines
• Learn alongside peers
• Become more independent

For children with autism, these foundational skills often benefit from early, coordinated support.

Introducing Superhero Academy

MetroEHS created Superhero Academy to help children ages 2-6 develop the skills needed for preschool and kindergarten through integrated therapy.

Unlike traditional therapy where each discipline works independently, Superhero Academy combines:

ABA Therapy

Occupational Therapy

Physical Therapy

Speech Therapy

Our therapists collaborate to help children practice the same skills across every therapy session.

Instead of isolated goals, children experience one coordinated learning environment.

Learning Through Play

Every month introduces a new superhero mission.

Children learn through:

• Structured play
• Sensory activities
• Group learning
• Social interaction
• Movement games
• Classroom routines
• Communication opportunities

The result is therapy that feels fun while building real-world school skills.

The Four Hero Disciplines

Sensory Squad (Occupational Therapy)

Helping children develop:

• Fine Motor Skills
• Self-regulation
• Sensory processing
• Independence

Mighty Mover (Physical Therapy)

Helping children improve:

• Balance
• Coordination
• Strength
• Motor planning
• Confidence

Communication Champion (Speech Therapy)

Helping children build:

• Expressive language
• Listening skills
• Social communication
• Early literacy

Learning Legend (ABA)

Helping children develop:

• Classroom behaviors
• Emotional regulation
• Functional communication
• Cooperation
• Peer interactions
• Independence

Building Real School Skills

Throughout the year, children practice:

• Following routines
• Listening to teachers
• Sharing
• Taking turns
• Transitioning between activities
• Solving problems
• Managing emotions
• Communicating wants and needs
• Participating in groups
• Becoming independent learners

Every milestone helps prepare them for the classroom.

Celebrating Every Hero

Children earn Hero Badges as they master new skills throughout the year.

At graduation, every child receives a Superhero Cape or Hero Champion Medal and a diploma celebrating everything they've accomplished.

Because every child deserves to feel like a superhero.

Ready to Begin?

If your child is between the ages of 2 and 6 and has been diagnosed with autism and you’ve been interested in an ABA program, Superhero Academy may be the perfect next step.

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