The One-Stop-Shop for All Things Pediatric Therapy! – WDIV Segment #3

Every child’s brain is equipped with a remarkable ability known as neuroplasticity—the capacity to adapt, reorganize, and form new neural connections in response to experiences and learning. This adaptability is especially potent during early childhood, making timely intervention crucial for children facing developmental challenges, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

In a recent discussion, Tia Moss and Kathleen Lewandowski, Regional Discipline Directors at MetroEHS Pediatric Therapy, emphasized the significance of early intervention and the role of neuroplasticity in shaping a child’s developmental trajectory.

Understanding Neuroplasticity in Early Childhood

Neuroplasticity refers to the brain’s ability to change and adapt throughout life. In early childhood, this adaptability is at its peak, with the brain forming over a million new neural connections every second. These connections lay the foundation for essential skills such as language, social interaction, and problem-solving.

The Importance of Early Intervention

Research consistently shows that early diagnosis and intervention for autism can lead to significant improvements in communication, social skills, and overall development. Intervening during the brain’s most malleable stages allows therapists to harness neuroplasticity effectively, promoting positive behavioral and cognitive changes.

Creating an Environment That Fosters Brain Development

To optimize neuroplasticity, it’s essential to provide children with stimulating environments that encourage exploration and learning. Engaging in play, encouraging movement, and stimulating the senses can all contribute to healthy brain development . Such environments support the formation of new neural pathways, reinforcing learning and skill acquisition.

Supporting Families Through Early Intervention

MetroEHS Pediatric Therapy is dedicated to helping families navigate the journey of early intervention. Their team of professionals offers comprehensive services, including ABA therapy, speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, and more, tailored to meet each child’s unique needs.

For more information on how MetroEHS can support your child’s development, visit metroehs.com or call 248-970-8402

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.

History of TheraSuit

Richard and Izabela Koscielny are physical therapists, who have a daughter diagnosed with cerebral palsy and tried out suit therapy with her. After significant improvements with the suit, they modified and created their own suit specialized for therapeutic benefits, called TheraSuit™.

How Does TheraSuit Work?

• TheraSuit worn over a prolonged time will correct proprioception and accelerate progress with functional strengthening
• Skills practiced become more fluent when TheraSuit is worn
• TheraSuit facilitates the development of new gross and fine motor skills faster than typical therapy approaches

Benefits Seen with TheraSuit

• Retraining the central nervous system
• Restores ontogenetic development
• Provides external stabilization
• Normalizes muscle tone
• Aligns the body to as close to “normal” as possible
• Provides dynamic correction
• Normalizes gait patterns
• Provides tactile stimulation
• Influences the vestibular system
• Improves balance
• Improves coordination
• Supports weak muscles
• Decreases uncontrolled movements in ataxia and athetosis
• Improves body and spatial awareness
• Provides resistance to muscles to further enhance strengthening
• Improves speech production and fluency through head control and trunk support
• Promotes gross and fine motor development
• Helps decrease contractures
• Helps improve hip alignment through vertical loading

Patient Populations

• Most major neurological diseases/diagnoses:
  
  • Autism
  • Down Syndrome
  • Cerebral Palsy
  • Cerebral Vascular Acciden
  • Traumatic Brain Injury
  • Spinal Cord Injury

• Posture/alignment asymmetries

Intensive Physical Therapy Schedule

• Intensive physical therapy is meant to be done 3 hours/day, for 5 days/week for 3-5 weeks
• Recommended to complete 3-4 intensive bouts of therapy throughout the year
• Breaks between the bouts have been shown to be more beneficial for the patient vs continuously pushing for months on end
• Recommended to complete HEP 1-hour/day to compliment exercises done in intensive, allowing the patient to not only maintain, but improve their functional abilities
• The schedule of 4  weeks was created specifically in order to change the neuro-pathways, and allow for increased improvements

In General

• Week 1 works on correct muscle activation and beginning to complete basic concentric exercises
• Week 2 works on solidifying concentric movements and working into eccentric movements
• Week 3 solidifies the eccentric movements and introduces isometric holds
• Week 4 focuses all on isometric holds, working into more complex exercises, as well as creating POC and HEP for time off between bouts of intensive

Work to decrease primitive reflexes and general movements that are present → goal-directed movements → selective effective strategies → refining skills → maintaining through practice