How do I Know if My Child has a Feeding Disorder?

Challenge Detroit was founded in 2008, with a mission that reads; “We develop, support and connect emerging and existing community-minded leaders, amplifying the positive impact on our diverse, cultural vibrant city.” Challenge Detroit is making a difference.

MetroEHS Pediatric Therapy is proud to be a host company with Challenge Detroit.

MetroEHS is excited to introduce Dezha Willoughby, one of two Challenge Detroit Fellows MetroEHS proudly hosts! Dezha was born and raised in Detroit and places like Belle Isle were the norm on the weekends (when the weather was nice). She attended and graduate from MLK High School (#GoCrusaders) and she went on to attend college at Michigan State University where she honed in her skills to work with and serve people. Dezha studied Human Development and graduated with her Bachelor of Science Degree in Human Development and Family Studies. Dezha enjoys being outside and enjoying nature. Dezha is very determined and ambitious about being an agent of positive change.

According to the company, “Challenge Detroit cultivates diverse, innovative, community-minded leaders from the city and across the country, fostering their talents to support local initiatives that move Detroit forward. While they spend four days a week accelerating their professional careers with our Host Companies, each Friday Fellows take a day out of the office to bring social impact challenge projects to life in collaboration with our local nonprofit partners. They work in multi-disciplinary teams, bringing their vision, creative muscles, and entrepreneurial spirits to address some of Detroit’s greatest challenges and opportunities. We believe that to move our city forward, positive change starts with an individual and is ignited by a community of leaders who bring innovative perspectives to their work, and most importantly, the nonprofits already making an impact within our Detroit communities.”

As the days grow longer and the temperatures rise, parents everywhere are gearing up for summer break. For parents of special needs children, however, summer planning can come with its own set of challenges. From scheduling doctor appointments to finding engaging activities, it’s essential to plan to ensure a smooth and enjoyable summer for the whole family. If you’re in our beautiful state of Michigan, chances are you are planning on a trip up north or to the beach. There are plenty of options available to make this summer one to remember. Let’s dive into some tips and resources to help you efficiently prepare and plan for the upcoming season.

• Start Early: The key to successful summer planning is to start early. Begin by making a list of all the activities and appointments you want to schedule for your child. This might include medical check-ups, therapy sessions, and recreational activities. By getting organized ahead of time, you’ll avoid last-minute stress and ensure that you secure the dates and times that work best for your family and your vacation plans.
• Schedule Doctor Appointments Now: Take the time to schedule any necessary doctor appointments for your child before the summer rush hits. This might include routine check-ups, consultations with specialists, or adjusting therapy sessions if you plan to be out of town. Many healthcare providers experience increased demand during the summer months, so booking appointments in advance is essential. Be sure to communicate any specific needs or concerns with your healthcare provider to ensure that they can accommodate your child effectively.
• Explore Kid-Friendly Activities: Southeastern Michigan offers a wealth of kid-friendly activities that cater to children of all abilities. From sensory-friendly museums to inclusive parks, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Take the time to research local attractions and events that are accessible and accommodating to children with special needs. Consider reaching out to community organizations or support groups for recommendations and tips on inclusive activities in your area. Maybe you can even suggest that more venues offer sensory-friendly options!
• Consider Summer Camps and Programs and register soon: Summer camps and programs can provide valuable opportunities for children to socialize, learn new skills, and have fun but spots fill up fast this time of year. Look for camps that offer specialized programming for children with special needs, especially those that include sensory-friendly activities and trained staff. Many camps in Southeastern Michigan offer scholarships or financial assistance for families in need, so don’t hesitate to inquire about available resources. Be aware that some of the scholarship programs for camps and summer programs are first come first serve.
• Create a Visual Schedule for your Kids: Visual schedules can be incredibly helpful for children with special needs, providing them with a clear understanding of their daily activities and routines. Take the time to create a visual schedule for your child’s summer break, incorporating doctor appointments, outings, and leisure time. Use pictures, symbols, or written words to represent each activity, and involve your child in the planning process to foster independence and self-awareness.
• Get a jump on Fall: An IEP is a personalized education plan designed to support a child with a disability. It can be a lengthy process to get an IEP in place for your child. To start the process, request an evaluation from your child’s school or school district, then work with the IEP team to develop a plan tailored to your child’s unique needs. If you need additional guidance, consider reaching out to local parent advocacy groups or special education organizations for support and resources.

Early summer planning may require some extra time and effort, but the rewards are well worth it. By starting early, scheduling doctor appointments, exploring kid-friendly activities, considering summer camps, and creating visual schedules, you can ensure that your child has a memorable and enjoyable summer break and save yourself some panic later. Remember to prioritize self-care and relaxation for yourself as well, and don’t hesitate to reach out to local resources and support networks for assistance along the way. Here’s to a summer filled with fun, adventure, and plenty of cherished memories!

Teletherapy, also called tele-practice or tele-speech, has become more popular during the uncertain circumstances and stay at home orders of COVID-19. Teletherapy can bring a sense of familiarity in uncertain times, as your child can have a weekly live speech therapy visit with a consistent speech language pathologist (SLP). A relationship is built, and the therapist and child share smiles and laughter in between working on their goals. With teletherapy, children can continue to receive continuity of care even as they stay safe at home! But does this foreign method of attending speech therapy really work?

Research is largely in agreement: Teletherapy is a very effective way of teaching kids speech and language!

With teletherapy, speech therapy is provided via a video chat platform that is secure. MetroEHS’s online platform includes fun games, a box for clients to watch applicable videos and talk through worksheets or read stories, screen share, practice cards, and, of course,  a live-streaming video SLP guiding them through all of it. All of these features engage most children, including those on the Autism Spectrum. This 1:1 teletherapy has been proven effective: according to a review of 7 studies of school-aged children, “telehealth is a promising method for treating children” (1). Another study looking specifically at children with ASD stated, “All [14] studies reported high levels of programme acceptability and parent satisfaction with the telehealth component of the intervention” (2). And another states, “Emerging research in telepractice treatment for ASD clients already shows success in both direct and indirect interactions” (3).

If a child is too young or difficult to engage, the SLP may opt for a parent training approach. The parent will receive a list of supplies to gather from around the house, and the SLP will teach the parent how to target the child’s goals. The parent is encouraged to ask questions, and the SLP coaches as the parent engages their child and completes their goals. This has also been proven effective for children learning language! Evidence suggests, “that parent-mediated intervention training delivered remotely can improve parents’ knowledge in [autism spectrum disorder] ASD, parent intervention fidelity, and subsequently improve the social behavior and communication skills of their children with ASD (4).

Feeding Therapy can be provided with a similar model. The SLP guides the caregiver during the session, and talks through strategies and techniques for children accepting the food, chewing, and swallowing. Providing feeding therapy online can be beneficial because the SLP can see where the child typically sits, the types of eating utensils that are used, and overall family dynamic- all of which play a major role in carryover of skills to the home environment. What better way to support generalization to home, than having therapy in the home! Feeding Teletherapy, too, is an excellent and effective substitute to in-person therapy, according to research (5)!

As you can see, teletherapy is a powerful alternative to in-person therapy, especially during situations when receiving in-person therapy is difficult or impossible for families. If you would like more information about teletherapy, to enroll your child, or a free “Teletherapy Tour” to see our platform, please contact MetroEHS today!

Resources

1. 2017. Wales, D., Skinner, L., et al. The Efficacy of Telehealth-Delivered Speech and Language Intervention for Primary School-Age Children: A Systematic Review. International Journal of Telerehabilitation, 9(1), 55-70.
2. 2018. Sutherland, R., Trembath, D., et al. Telehealth and Autism: A Systematic Search and Review of the Literature. International Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 20(3), 324-336.
3. 2015, April 28. Cornish, Nate. Social Mediating: Using Telepractice for Clients With Autism. ASHAwire.
4. 2017. Parsons, D., Cordier, R., et al. Parent-Mediated Intervention Training Delivered Remotely for Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder Living Outside of Urban Areas: Systematic Review. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 19(8), e198.
5. 2008. Clawson, Seldon, Lacks, Deaton, Hall, Bach. Complex pediatric feeding disorders: using teleconferencing technology to improve access to a treatment program. Pediatric Nursing, 34(3): 213-6.