What Is the TheraSuit Method and How Does It Help Children Build Motor Skills?

MetroEHS therapist being interviewed about TheraSuit physical therapy

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
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Patient Populations

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

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October 12, 2021

Post Frenectomy Care

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.
January 27, 2025

How Does Early Intervention Therapy Help Children?

Greetings, fellow guardians of childhood! Today, we embark on an epic quest to uncover why early intervention in pediatric therapy is the ultimate secret weapon in the battle for our little heroes’ futures. Grab your capes, as we delve into the extraordinary world of neuroplasticity!

What is Neuroplasticity?

Imagine your brain as a high-tech superhero headquarters, constantly adapting and evolving with every new challenge and adventure. Neuroplasticity is the brain’s superpower that allows it to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections throughout life. This means that even if our tiny champions face developmental hurdles, with the right support and early intervention, their brains can reroute and expand like an elastic superhero — ready to tackle any villain that stands in their way!

The Sidekick Advantage: Why Early Intervention is Key

Just like every superhero has a trusty sidekick, children thrive when they receive early intervention in therapy. Research shows that the earlier kids receive therapeutic services, the more they can harness the powers of neuroplasticity to strengthen their skills, build resilience, and achieve their personal goals. Waiting too long can mean allowing obstacles to grow larger than life, much like letting a villain strengthen their force field!

Fighting Supervillains: Common Developmental Challenges

From speech delays, motor skill challenges to difficulties in feeding, utilizing early intervention means therapists swoop in like The Flash, delivering focused support to help children navigate these hurdles. With specialized tactics, our tiny heroes can battle their challenges and emerge triumphant, all whilst building confidence and unlocking their hidden potential!

The Dynamic Duo: Parents and Therapists Unite!

In this superhero tale, parents are the ultimate allies, teaming up with skilled therapists to devise personalized action plans tailored to each child’s unique needs. The synergy created by early intervention turns this duo into an unstoppable force—ready to level up skills in communication, socialization, and physical abilities. Together, they create a supportive environment where our little champions can flourish!

MetroEHS prioritizes early intervention in pediatric therapy because it isn’t just best practice; it’s a superhero saga ready to unfold with amazing successes! Using the incredible force of neuroplasticity, our little ones can script a future filled with hope, happiness, and triumph.

April 22, 2024

Empowering Communication for Children with Autism: A Look at Therapy Interventions

In a recent airing of Live in the D, sponsored by MetroEHS Pediatric Therapy, the spotlight was on Autism Awareness Month, shedding light on how children on the autism spectrum can benefit from life-changing therapy. MetroEHS, a pediatric neighborhood therapy company with multiple locations across Metro Detroit, including expanding services, is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for children with various therapy needs, including autism.

Deanna Coker, a board-certified behavioral analyst, and Kris Krajewski, a speech therapist with MetroEHS, joined the show to discuss how therapy can significantly impact children’s communication skills.

Understanding Communication Challenges in Autism

Deanna explained that autism, as a developmental disability, often presents challenges in social interaction and communication. Unlike typically developing children who learn language by observing and imitating, children with autism struggle to find meaningful ways to communicate, despite their desire to do so.

The Role of Speech Therapy

Kris emphasized that speech therapy is essential for children with autism, given that communication difficulties are a hallmark characteristic of the condition. Speech therapists, like those at MetroEHS, work to identify barriers to communication and introduce alternative methods for expressing thoughts and needs.

Speech Therapy Interventions

Kris introduced an innovative tool called the AAC device (Alternative and Augmentative Communication), essentially an iPad loaded with specialized software designed exclusively for communication purposes. This device enables children to select words and icons to express themselves, giving them a voice and autonomy in their interactions.

Empowering Communication Through Tools

Deanna highlighted another communication aid, the PECS book (Picture Exchange Communication System), a low-tech solution that uses pictures to help children convey wants, needs, and preferences. By selecting and exchanging pictures, children can effectively communicate with caregivers, enhancing their independence and self-expression.

The conversation between Deanna, Kris, and the show’s host highlighted the importance of therapy in empowering children with autism to communicate effectively. Through innovative interventions and specialized tools, such as AAC devices and PECS books, children can overcome communication barriers and actively engage with the world around them.

For families seeking therapy services for their children, MetroEHS offers comprehensive support, including ABA, speech, occupational, feeding, and physical therapies. With multiple locations across Metro Detroit and additional centers on the way, MetroEHS aims to make therapy accessible and impactful for families in need.