Therapy Services
Occupational Therapy
• Our occupational speech therapist treats children with ADHAD, ADD, CP, Downs Syndrome, Autism, and Chromosomal Disorders. In general, the approaches used in occupational therapy may overlap for many patients because the foundation for motor development and higher level cognitive skills is dependent upon a foundation of skills that involve integration of reflexes and the ability to explore and interact with all aspects of the environment.
Most children have varying degrees and combinations of the two general areas of Motor Delay and Sensory Processing Disorder. Hence, treatment is based upon which foundational skills are missing (sensory and motor) that prohibit the child from achieving milestones at their expected ages. Without addressing the foundational skills that need to be in place, progress in independence would be very difficult.
The Madison Center therapist will first establish the current level of function and strengthen core/postural control through objective assessment, clinical observation and parental feedback. In addition therapist will observe for and lessen the effects of latent primitive reflexes that are typically fully integrated by toddlerhood. Specific treatments include:
- Strengthen muscle groups needed to create a stable base from which smaller muscle groups can work.
- Progressively higher demands for coordination increases as the child’s competence improves.
- Develop balance during stable (static) activities progressing to dynamic balance during movement.
- Develop motor planning (sequencing movements or actions) to move with efficiency.
- Require increasing isolated movement of smaller muscle groups to improve fine motor skills.
- Emphasis on using both sides (bilateral) of the body in a cooperative way to complete tasks.
- Incorporate activities of daily living: dressing, hygiene and give functional application to the skills being acquired.
Our therapists will identify areas through checklists and parental observations that prohibit/inhibit the child’s ability to explore or engage with the environment (movement, sounds, touch, etc). Therapist will also incorporate progressively more challenging “obstacles” and support the child’s body and sensory system with carefully placed input that can allow him to work in spite of his sensory aversions and sensitivities. Where appropriate we will integrate methods for Developmental Coordination Disorders.
Children sometimes hear sounds at certain pitches better than others. If one pitch is heard better than others, the pitches that are near that pitch are not heard as efficiently. This can result in difficult with understanding words and even processing written language. The 10 day protocol involves 2 thirty minute sessions of listening over 10 days. Recommendations for protecting AIT results and instructions for work beyond AIT are given at the end of the training period.
Clarice Chikazawa – Nelson
• Clarice graduated from Colorado State University in 1982 and has worked in the field for 29 years with the last 25 years in pediatrics. She enjoys working with children with varying diagnoses including physical disabilities caused by complications from chromosomal anomalies, cerebral palsy and neuromuscular diseases. In addition, children with Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD), sensory defensiveness, Autism, incoordination and handwriting challenges also benefit from therapy.
In addition, Clarice has advanced training in Cranio-sacral Therapy and Lymph Drainage, is a practitioner of the Berard Method of Auditory Integration Training (AIT) and is involved in continuing education for furthering her skills as a therapist with a special interest in alternative/integrative techniques such as Body Talk and higher level coursework in Cranio-Sacral Therapy.
