Preparing Your Child for the Real World of School and Play

There are many different approaches to pediatric therapy. But in our experience, the best approach is one that closely approximates a child’s real world to prepare them for situations they will face in daily life. At No Limits Pediatric Therapies in Bentonville, AR, our goal is to equip children with the skills they need to thrive in their everyday environments. Today, I want to discuss how we prepare your child for the real world of school and play. The Logic Behind an Open Gym and Therapy Areas Children don’t spend most of their lives in small rooms, so treatment in confined spaces isn’t as beneficial as treatment in environments that mimic their natural surroundings. That’s why we utilize large, open spaces for our therapy sessions. This approach ensures that children work on their developmental goals in settings that resemble the real world. Open gyms with unpredictable changes, due to other children also receiving therapy, better approximate the environments children will face outside of therapy. This gives them a greater chance of applying what they learn in therapy to their daily lives. While we do have smaller, individual treatment rooms for children who are just getting started with therapy, our goal is to build them up to the ability to handle working in our open gym. An Alternating Schedule of Therapists Helps Children Prepare for School Some clinics keep children with one dedicated therapist throughout their treatment. However, we intentionally change which therapist works with a child during their treatment. This strategy helps children become comfortable working on therapy and using their skills regardless of who is assisting them. It also helps them adapt to different teaching styles and authority figures, making it easier for them to listen to and interact with their teachers at school. A Child’s Life Will Soon Happen in Large Rooms Around Many People The combination of a large gym where multiple therapy sessions are occurring simultaneously and a revolving cast of therapists working with your child is key. This is because it helps them learn to navigate busy environments like schools, grocery stores, and other public places. By practicing their skills in these dynamic settings, children can build the confidence and adaptability needed to handle real-world situations. Open Gyms Provide Social Skills as Well as Academic Skills Working in an open gym helps children develop key academic skills such as focusing despite any environmental distractions. It also provides opportunities to practice social skills with other children who are also receiving therapy. These interactions are invaluable, as they help children learn to share, take turns, and communicate effectively with peers, all of which are essential skills for school and life. Reach Out to No Limits for an Evaluation If you’re interested in how No Limits Pediatric Therapies can help your child prepare for the real world, call us at (479) 250-9838 for a free 15-minute developmental consultation. Let’s work together to help your child grow beyond their limitations and thrive in all areas of life. About Terrica Terrica Weatherford, MSOT, founded No Limits Pediatric Therapies in 2016. She earned her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from the Medical University of South Carolina in 2012. For over 13 years, Terrica has been committed to helping neurodiverse children (and those who need extra support) reach their full potential. She founded her practice to ensure she could provide exceptional care for children and their families.

Early Signs of Developmental Delays and How to Find Help

While it’s true that children often develop at their own pace, there are key milestones to watch out for as your baby grows to ensure they’re on the right track. If you’ve ever wondered if your child is simply a late bloomer or if they need extra support, we’re here to help. At No Limits Pediatric Therapies in Bentonville, AR, our mission is to support children in overcoming their developmental challenges to reach their full potential. Today, I want to discuss the early signs of developmental delays and how to find the help your child may need. What Are Developmental Milestones? Developmental milestones are specific skills or behaviors that most children can do by a certain age. These milestones are used by healthcare professionals and parents to track a child’s growth and development. They include a range of abilities such as motor skills, speech and language, social interactions, and cognitive development. When a child is not meeting these milestones, it may be an early sign that they need additional support to reach their full potential. Different ages have their own unique milestones. It’s important to track these to ensure your child is gaining the skills they need for success in life—and to know when they might need extra support. Examples of Developmental Milestones for a One-Year-Old For a one-year-old, some common developmental milestones include: Saying single words like “mama” and “dada” Standing and possibly taking a few steps without holding on Waving “bye-bye” and shaking head “no” Exploring objects in different ways, like shaking, throwing, or tasting Examples of Developmental Milestones for a Two-Year-Old For a two-year-old, some common developmental milestones include: Using two- to four-word sentences Recognizing names of familiar people and objects Kicking a ball and beginning to run Pointing to things or pictures when they are named Examples of Developmental Milestones for a Three-Year-Old For a three-year-old, common developmental milestones include: Speaking in short sentences (three to four words) Following simple instructions Running and climbing with ease Playing with other children and taking turns Showing a wide range of emotions (happy, sad, angry) These Milestones Also Help Parents Advocate for Their Child Being aware of developmental milestones for your child’s age is crucial. By keeping track of which milestones your child has or has not attained, you can effectively advocate for them at school, the doctor’s office, and in other environments. This knowledge can give you a strong leg to stand on when you are seeking extra support for your child to help them succeed. If Your Child Is Missing Multiple Milestones, Request a Referral from Your Pediatrician If you notice your child is missing multiple milestones, you should seek a referral from your pediatrician. Pediatricians can refer children to pediatric therapy clinics like No Limits for a comprehensive evaluation. And if you run into any trouble, we can always assist you in seeking a referral to ensure your child can access the therapy services they need. Reach Out to No Limits for an Evaluation If you’re concerned about your child’s development, call us at No Limits Pediatric Therapies at (479) 250-9838 for a free 15-minute developmental consultation. Our team can help you determine if pediatric therapy is recommended and provide the necessary support to help your child grow beyond their limitations. About Terrica Terrica Weatherford, MSOT, founded No Limits Pediatric Therapies in 2016. She earned her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from the Medical University of South Carolina in 2012. For over 13 years, Terrica has been committed to helping neurodiverse children (and those who need extra support) reach their full potential. She founded her practice to ensure she could provide exceptional care for children and their families.

The Remarkably Therapeutic Effects of Crawling

Did your child skip crawling and go straight to walking? While many parents think this is a sign of advanced development, it can actually pose problems for your child later on in life. This is because the natural progression of a baby’s movements from crawling to walking help them build key skills they need for more complex skills as they get older. At No Limits Pediatric Therapies in Bentonville, AR, our mission is to help children reach their fullest potential. Today, I want to share the incredible benefits of crawling and why this seemingly simple activity is so crucial for your child’s development. Babies Should Be Encouraged to Spend Time Crawling Before They Walk Crawling is a critical milestone in a child’s developmental journey. Most babies will go through a natural progression from rolling over, sitting on their hands and knees, crawling, standing, and then walking. This progression is the foundational support for the development of many of a child’s motor skills. Encouraging babies to spend time crawling helps build strength, coordination, and balance. This stage is essential for developing the muscles and motor patterns needed for more complex movements like walking, running, and jumping. When children skip any of these steps, it can prevent them from building the basic skills they need to achieve later developmental milestones. The Benefits of Crawling Are Far-Reaching The benefits of crawling are all a result of progressing through developmental movements in the proper sequence. This is because crawling helps integrate your child’s primitive reflexes, which are automatic movements that are crucial for development. When reflexes are integrated, it means that they stop being involuntary actions and come under your child’s own control. One of the most common reflexes is when you put your finger in a baby’s hand, and they grab it. This is automatic; but as they get older, it becomes an action they can choose to do or not do. Properly integrated reflexes, which happen in part thanks to crawling, lead to: Better attention and focus Improved learning skills Better handwriting Stronger core and shoulder muscles Enhanced coordination Children Who Miss Crawling May Need Physical Therapy Later on in Life Some children skip crawling altogether. They move straight from sitting to walking and excitedly run around to explore and play. While this might seem like a sign of advanced development, it can lead to physical challenges later on. Skipping crawling can result in weaker core muscles, poor coordination, and difficulty with fine motor skills. Many children who miss the crawling stage eventually need physical therapy to address these issues and to develop the strength and coordination they missed by not crawling. Thankfully, with expert support from pediatric therapists, these challenges can be overcome. Reach Out to No Limits for an Evaluation If you have concerns about your child’s development, don’t hesitate to seek professional advice. At No Limits Pediatric Therapies, our skilled therapists are here to help your child grow beyond their limitations. Call us at (479) 250-9838 for a free 15-minute developmental consultation to see if your child can benefit from pediatric therapy. About Terrica Terrica Weatherford, MSOT, founded No Limits Pediatric Therapies in 2016. She earned her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from the Medical University of South Carolina in 2012. For over 13 years, Terrica has been committed to helping neurodiverse children (and those who need extra support) reach their full potential. She founded her practice to ensure she could provide exceptional care for children and their families.