OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY ROADMAP
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What is Occupational Therapy (OT): Its purpose is to improve cognitive, motor and physical skills through specially designed activities and play. A Certified Occupational Therapist will conduct an evaluation and prepare individualized goals. Often times, an OT Therapist will incorporate sensory activities in the session.
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History: OT Therapy dates back to 1917. Only a Bachelor's degree was required until the 1990's. After that, a master's degree level is required. Today, students must attend a 5 year masters program to be an OT.
​What are the benefits?
Independent life skills, hygiene, hand-writing, potty training, meeting sensory needs for regulation, attention span/stamina, fine motor skills, play skills, coordination, spacial awareness, sitting, posture, feeding, swallowing and recognizing color/shape. They also prevent loss of function. They also assist in helping parents understand the needs of their child and acquire the necessary skills to implement in the home environment. OT therapists often have interesting manipulative toys, fun supplies, and lots of "out of the box" ideas to motivate their clients.
What type of goals can I expect?
Independently getting dressed, feeding, grooming, hand-writing, brushing teeth, opening containers, and cutting with scissors are just a few examples of common goals. Ask to be present during the OT therapy so that you can learn techniques that can be practiced at home.
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What is the role of OT in education?
"School-based occupational therapy practitioners support academic achievement and social participation by promoting occupation within all school routines, including recess, classroom and cafeteria time They help children fulfill their role as students and prepare them for college, career and community integration. They utilize prevention, promotion and intervention strategies for mental and physical health and well-being." (American OT Association, 2013). **Many school districts in the Lehigh Valley outsource OT services to the IU's. Insist that OT goals be part of the IEP.
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What is Heavy Work?
Proprioceptive input is the performance of tasks that involvs heavy resistance and input to the muscles and joints, and is essential in helping our bodies assimilate and process both movement (vestibular) and touch (tactile) information that makes us aware of "our position in space." If you see a child crash, break things, appear clumsy and uncoordinated, they are looking for a way to calm and organize their nervous system. Some examples of heavy work your child can do is carry groceries, carrying a watering can, wear a weighted vest, weighted lap pad, swimming, laundry basket, pressing putty, pulling wagons filled with objects, riding bicycles, trampoline, bean bag chairs or crash mat, jungle gyms, swings, etc. Ask your therapist for a list of heavy work activities for gross motor and fine motor skills.
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Recommended hours: Typically sessions run 30min-1 hr per session. Frequency is based on need and coverage.
Recommend ages: Toddler-Adult
Recommended books:
The Parent's Guide to Occupational Therapy for Autism and Other Special Needs
Measuring Occupational Performance: Supporting Best Practice in Occupational Therapy
Occupational Therapy Toolkit: Patient Handouts and Treatment Guides
OT Providers:
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Advent Pediatric Therapy Services
Services:Utensil and cup skills,Sensory Integration concerns or disorders,
Self help and attention concerns, Coordination, balance and strength
delays with in daily routines, Self feeding and oral motor delays.
Where: 3376 Linden Street Bethlehem, PA 18017
Call: 610-392-4339
Email:office@adventtherapy.com
Website: http://www.adventtherapy.com/
​Amy Rau-Pediatric Occupational Therapy
Where: 418 Prospect St, Catasauqua, PA 18032
Call: 610-606-8250
Website: www.AmyRauOTR.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amyrauot/
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Backyard Treehouse Pediatric Therapy Center #: (610) 365-8989
25 S Broad Street, Nazareth, PA 18064
*Does not accept medical assistance
Website: http://www.backyardtreehousetherapy.com/#
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Bethlehem Pediatric Therapy Services
Where: 3012 Emrick Blvd, Bethlehem, PA 18020
Call: (610) 625-4404
Website: https://www.bethlehempediatric.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/144243092253038/posts/we-are-so-excited-to-offer-the-safe-and-sound-protocol-at-our-clinic-beginning-a/1882301531780510/
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Cindy Miles
Where: 3721 Crescent Court West, Whitehall, PA 18052
Call: 610-820-7667
Email: staff@cindymiles.com
Website: http://cindymiles.com/
Early Intervention Services - Lehigh County Birth to Three (0 - 3)
#: (800) 692-7288
Lehigh County, PA
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Early Intervention Services - Northampton County# Birth to Three (0 - 3): (610) 974-7500
Northampton County, PA
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Easton Hospital
Where: 3143 William Penn Highway, Easton, PA 18045
Call: 610-250-4232
Website: https://www.easton-hospital.org/76/service/rehabilitation-services
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Epic Health Services
Where: 5000 Tilghman Street, Suite 157, Allentown, PA 18104
Call: 610-432-7403
Website: https://epicpediatrictherapy.com/services/occupational-therapy/
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Good Shepherd
Services: The Summer Boost Program ages newborn to 21 yrs
is an intensive short course for adolescents who don't have summer
school based services.
Where: 1651 N Cedar Crest Blvd, Suite 100, Allentown, PA 18104
Call: (484) 788-0701
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Leaps and Bounds Pediatric & Rehabilitiation, LLC
Services: Private OT therapy
Where: 230 Ochre Street Suite #2, Lehighton, PA 18235
Call: 570-778-2356
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Lehigh Valley Health Network
Allentown: 1243 S Cedar Crest Blvd, Allentown, Pennsylvania 18103-7982
Call: (610) 402-9770
Muhlenberg: 1770 Bathgate Road, Suite 200, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania 18017-7334
Call: (484) 884-5437
​Easton: 2101 Emrick Road, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania 18020-8001
​Call: 610-866-9675
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Nelson Therapeutic Services, LLC #: (610) 462-4625
Services: We are a pediatric team providing in home physical, occupational, speech therapy and educational services to the Lehigh Valley and surrounding counties.
3124 Cambridge Cir, Allentown, Pennsylvania
Website: http://nelsontherapeutic.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pg/nelsontherapeutic/about/?ref=page_internal
Pediatric Therapy Associates Of The Lehigh Valley
Sally Abruzzese, MED, OTR-L
Where: 3440 Hamilton Blvd, Allentown, PA 18103
Call: (610) 821-0123
Email:pedstx@juno.com
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Pennsylvania Autism Action Center
Services: OT/Sensory. Also teaching practical skills like gardening.
Where: 2071 US-209, Brodheadsville, PA 18322
Call: (570) 992-6720
Website: http://autismactioncenter.com/​
​Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AutismActionCenter/?hc_location=ufi
Sayegh Pediatric Therapy Services, PC
**Also has contracts for Agora Cyber School, Commonwealth Charge Academy, and PA Cyber School.
Email: info@sayeghpts.com
Website: https://www.sayeghpts.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sayeghpts/
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St. Lukes #: (484) 526-3200
153 Brodhead Rd, Bethlehem, PA 18014
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Outside the Lehigh Valley
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Children's Specialized Hospital
Where: 150 New Providence Road, Mountainside, New Jersey 07092
Call: 1-888-244-5373
Website: https://www.childrens-specialized.org/programs-and-services/outpatient-programs/occupational-therapy