MetroEHS emphasizes that ABA therapy is not a lifelong commitment but a structured program aimed at equipping children with essential skills. From the outset, each child receives an individualized treatment plan tailored to their unique needs and developmental goals at MetroEHS Pediatric Therapy.

Dawn Sterling, Regional Director of Behavioral Health at MetroEHS, explains, “We like to think of working ourselves out of a job… it’s not necessarily a lifelong thing that you have to experience, especially for those that are in ABA therapy.” This perspective underscores the organization’s commitment to empowering children to achieve independence.

Individualized Planning and Early Intervention

The process of graduating from ABA therapy is highly individualized. Ashley Lewis, Clinical Director at MetroEHS, notes that planning for graduation begins early in the therapy process. “We like to start talking about graduation early… so that we know what goals that we want to go for and how we want to target each and every one of those goals,” she says. This proactive approach ensures that therapy is goal-oriented and progress is continuously monitored.

Early intervention is a cornerstone of MetroEHS’s philosophy. By engaging children in therapy at a young age, the likelihood of achieving developmental milestones and preparing for school increases significantly.

Life After ABA Therapy

Graduation from ABA therapy marks the beginning of a new chapter. Post-graduation, children may continue to receive support through other services offered by MetroEHS, such as speech therapy, occupational therapy, and participation in social or playgroups. These services aim to reinforce the skills acquired during ABA therapy and ensure their application across various environments .

The goal is to prepare children for success in school and beyond, fostering independence and confidence in their abilities.

Learn More About MetroEHS Services

MetroEHS Pediatric Therapy offers a comprehensive range of services designed to support children with developmental challenges. For more information about their programs and how they can assist your family, visit metroehs.com or call 248-970-8402

Embarking on the journey through ABA therapy with MetroEHS means partnering with a team dedicated to revealing the “super” in every child.

AAC Devices in Pediatric Therapy

AAC is the term used to describe any form of communication that a person can use that is not speech. This may include pointing to pictures of what the person wants, using sign language, or using a device that will speak a message when a specific button is pushed.

MetroEHS can boast a 100% success rate in supplying clients with these crucial communication devices giving a voice to our superheroes.

When Should AAC be Considered for a Child?

An AAC device should be considered for any child whose speech output is not adequate to fully communicate their wants and needs.

Things to consider:

-Child’s frustration levels

-Adult frustration levels

-Access to school curriculum

-Participation in classroom activities

-Ability to demonstrate knowledge to teachers

-Access to home and community environment

-Ability to interact appropriately with family and peers

-Independence in developmentally-appropriate daily activities

MetroEHS partners with an AAC company and a medical equipment company. These companies serve as consultants for Metro EHS SLPs as we work toward supplying families with AAC devices. Some AAC tools are covered by insurance, but some are not. MetroEHS Pediatric Therapy will help you understand your options.

The Process:

Step One: Our SLPs identify kiddos who might benefit from using AAC!

Step Two: We begin trialing different devices and different communication systems determining which systems work best for each individual client. There are several devices and programs to choose from.

Step Three: Once the SLP determines which system works best, an AAC evaluation is submitted to the client's pediatrician for review. If the pediatrician approves, we obtain a prescription for the device, much like obtaining a prescription for a splint, or other form of medical equipment.

Step Four: When the prescription is received, the prescription and evaluation report are all submitted to the insurance company.  Once approved, the device is ordered!

Step Five: The device is delivered to the family and they family receives assistance with set up and demonstration.  The device fully belongs to the child.

After the device is in the hands of our client, MetroEHS SLPs work with the family and the client to integrate the device into their world in speech therapy.

With Locations all over South East Michigan and excellent Speech Therapy services, MetroEHS Pediatric Therapy is here to help. Browse through our Locations Page to find a Local Therapy Center near you!

Play is crucial for children’s physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development. Through play, children learn important life skills such as problem-solving, creativity, social interaction, and self-regulation. Play allows children to explore their environment, experiment with different ideas, and express themselves in ways that are natural and meaningful to them.

Play can take many forms, including physical play, imaginative play, sensory play, and social play. Children learn best through play that is meaningful and engaging to them, so it is important for parents, caregivers, and educators to provide a variety of play opportunities that are tailored to a child’s individual needs and interests.

What is play?

Play includes fun activities enjoyed independently or with others. Play has no rules, and people make up their own games. Play can be inside or outside. It uses things around us, like balls and sticks. Playing helps us learn how to get along with others and think about new things.

Types of play:

• Social Play is when kids play together. For example, playing soccer.
• Symbolic Play is when you pretend. You can do this from 18 months to 5 years old.
• Practice Play is doing the same thing repeatedly to learn how to do it better. For example, you might practice throwing a ball.
• Sensorimotor Play is used by infants. This means that they use their senses and move around. An example of this is shaking a rattle.
• Constructive Play is when kids make something. For example, building with legos or painting with their fingers.    

Play helps a child…

• Build Imagination and Creativity
• Foster Cognitive Growth
• Improve Literacy
• Improve Emotional Well-Being
• Encourage Greater Independence

Play is not just a fun activity for children but a vital part of their development. Therefore, it is essential to support and encourage play in children and create a safe and stimulating environment for them to explore and learn.