How Does Early Intervention Therapy Help Children?

April is Autism Awareness Month, a time dedicated to shedding light on autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and promoting understanding and acceptance. Throughout this month, we've been exploring how MetroEHS, a pediatric neighborhood therapy company with locations across Metro Detroit, is making a difference in the lives of children on the autism spectrum through various forms of therapy.

Today, we delve into a common phenomenon observed in children—toe walking—and its potential significance, particularly in relation to autism. Toe walking, the act of walking on the toes, balls of the feet, or tippy toes, is a behavior that may raise concerns, especially when observed in children around the ages of two to three.

According to experts at MetroEHS, including Kelly Johns, the Director of Physical Therapy, toe walking can be an indicator of potential developmental issues, including autism spectrum disorder. Children on the spectrum often exhibit sensory-seeking behaviors, and toe walking can be one manifestation of this sensory-seeking behavior, providing them with additional sensory input.

While occasional toe walking in toddlers who are still learning to walk may not be alarming, persistent toe walking, especially beyond the age of two or three, warrants attention. If a child is consistently toe walking more than 50% of the time, it is advisable for parents to seek evaluation and possible intervention, such as physical or occupational therapy.

Toe walking can have various implications for a child's physical development and overall well-being. It can lead to issues such as pelvic misalignment, muscular imbalances, and even the shortening of the Achilles tendon over time. Addressing toe walking early through therapy and interventions can mitigate potential future problems and promote proper musculoskeletal development.

MetroEHS offers a range of therapies, including physical and occupational therapy, to address toe walking and other developmental concerns in children. Additionally, parents can play an active role in helping their children at home by incorporating simple exercises and activities aimed at stretching the calf muscles and promoting proper walking mechanics.

Simple interventions like stretching exercises and using swim flippers can aid in correcting toe walking tendencies and promoting a more natural gait pattern in children. By combining professional therapy with at-home practices, parents can support their children's physical development and overall well-being.

MetroEHS has 14 locations across Metro Detroit, with three more on the way, ensuring accessibility for families seeking therapy services for various developmental needs, including autism spectrum disorder. Find the nearest MetroEHS location to you on the Locations Page!

As we wrap up Autism Awareness Month, let's continue to spread awareness, understanding, and support for individuals on the autism spectrum and their families, empowering them to thrive and lead fulfilling lives.

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.

3 things I’ve learned as my family and I started navigating the new present norm of a virtual world that caused me to see the benefits of virtual systems like Teletherapy. The 3 characteristics I learned are familiarity, relationships & continuity.

Due to the new norm, my sophomore college age daughter had to move back home and has been upset that she would no longer see her college friends or professors and she felt her engineering classes were too complicated for on-line learning.  Like students across the country, she has been able to communicate with her classmates & professors  via on-line classes and for study groups.  To maintain relationships with her college friends, she is doing so via technology.  My daughter is continuing and will complete her college sophomore year online!

Due to the new norm, I started virtual work-out classes with the local  gym that I have been attending for a while now.  I am continuing to work-out “virtually” with the gym staff that I am familiar with and able to continue relationships with the staff and those attending the classes that I used to see face-to-face.  And, I am able to continue working toward my goal of maintaining a work-out schedule!

I share all of this with you in case you have been skeptical about your child attending Teletherapy sessions.  My daughter was a skeptic about her on-line classes because it was an unknown to her.  I was a skeptic about virtual work-out classes because I have never done virtual classes before, but as we both have found out, it has allowed us some sense of familiarity, sense of continuing relationships and a sense that we are continuing on with tasks that are beneficial to us, all while we are respecting the Stay at Home order for the State of Michigan.

If you would like your child to continue their therapy services during stay at home orders and even beyond, with the therapist they had been seeing at your local MetroEHS Pediatric Therapy Center, your child’s therapist is here to help.  Our therapy team members are providing therapy services from their home to yours.  Through our Teletherapy platform, your child will enjoy the familiarity of working with the same therapist they worked with at their local MetroEHS Pediatric Center, you and your child would continue the relationship with that same therapist and Teletherapy will allow your child to continue to work on their individualized therapy goals so they do not lose precious skills that have already been established.

We would be honored to work with you and your child during this time and we promise to make this experience as stress-free as possible! Reach out to us to find out what Teletherapy would look like for your family.  If you are new to MetroEHS Pediatric Therapy, we are taking new clients!   We welcome the opportunity to begin our ‘relationship’ with you now!

Allow your child’s MetroEHS Pediatric Therapist to create the familiarity, the relationship and  continuity of services your child is missing!  MetroEHS can accomplish this for your child via Teletherapy all while respecting social-distancing guidelines.

We will get through this together. Be safe and stay healthy.

Lori Shaffer Clarke,

President & Founder‍

MetroEHS Pediatric Therapy