What is "Developmental Therapy"?

Stephanie - posted on 02/10/2010

Christy, you need to look into programs in your area. Here and in other states we have whats called Early Interventions or EI. This is a birth to three program provided through the school district in which you live. They determine your eligiability and then decide how much and what kinds of therapy your child needs. Such as but not limited to physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech/language therapy, nutrition, etc.. Having Angelmans is an automatic qualifer. At three or rather on their third birthday the child then enters the actual school system. They go to preschool within a few day after their b-day so that their services aren't interupted. Unfortunately, most of the time they do not approve summer school which means during the summer months when school is out, they do not have to provide therapy services. Unless you can prove that by not getting therapy during these months it will cause a regretion in development. Here we do have the option to home school and they still have to provide therapy services, however you have to prove the child is learning and a bunch of other things that unless its medically warrented, its not worth it in my opinion. Plus our angels will get so much out of being around other kids. Hope this kinda helps and that you can find something like this. Try asking you pedi for help in finding services.

Angie - posted on 02/10/2010

we have had olivia in pt, ot. feeding and nutrition, and speech at home since about 2-3months old and that was threw a place called aea or area 13 and then she has been seeing a pt and ot 1ea 1 time a week for over 1 1/2 years (i think) at childrens hospital in omaha ne. and i dont think that that was enough. i had to push for it also.

Christy - posted on 02/10/2010

McKayla is curently only in physio therapy once a month, they said that's all she needs. I started pushing and now they say they will "try" to get her more :D.
The only thing is, Im not sure what to have her in :(

Stephanie - posted on 02/10/2010

Christy, thats great that your looking for more, sometimes if we don't then nothing will happen. Good luck and if you have a questions don't hesitate to ask us.

Christy - posted on 02/10/2010

McKayla is 22 months old, and we've never even been told about this yet!

Im actually looking into a lot more stuff for her. I feel she needs more.

Velvet - posted on 02/04/2010

Developmental therapy is specialized instruction. In Illinois, any person with two years experience working with children under three, with a bachelor degree in a social service related area can be credentialled as a developmental therapist. The role of the DT is to provide services to assist in global development, development of all domains (motor, adaptive skills, play, communication) as appropriate for a child according to their age.

Stephanie - posted on 02/04/2010

Yea, that sounds pretty much the same thing. Annie started all her therapies when she was 14 months old and has been in them regularly since for the most part.

Alexa - posted on 02/04/2010

At what age did Annie begin Developmental Therapy? I'm not sure if they call it differently here, but Gabriel receives "Special Instruction" which is basically a teacher who comes in and teaches him how to play, like putting blocks inside a tub, or putting rings on that pyramid shaped ring holder, putting wooden animals in its puzzle place, etc. She also massages at times or works his sensory on his hands or feet, etc. Do you think this is the same thing with a different name?

Stephanie - posted on 02/04/2010

Sorry to throw out the term, I guess I assumed everyone knew and had it. Developmental Therapy is pretty much a play session for Annie. Her therapist shows her relational play and symbolic play.For example, giving a babydoll a bottle, she learns to "feed the baby", most three yr olds are begining to learn to play mommy. She does food play, putting plactic food in a pan, or cup, and stirring it. Again this is realtional and symbolic play. It teaches her to associate two things together instead of two different things. She also does a little bit of all therapies and our DT also does nutrition. She wallks Annie, has her practice standing while playing, teaching her that she can play on different levels and not just on the floor. She use to stretch her and a little massage to help loosen her muscles. Flash cards are used to help expand her knowlege. Out of a field of two, she can usually pick the one you ask her to, unless she's being a little stinker. Flash cards are how they introduce new words as well as material examples. This will transfer over to the PECS cards as a way of communication. Basically its a therapy that includes all therapies in a playful way that engages the child so that they want to participate. I'm happy to answer any more questions you have.

Angie - posted on 02/04/2010

huh i have never heard of this either. i m curious to .