Early Childhood Intervention
This website is a place for families who are facing
challenges pertaining to their child's development and
growth.
It is a place to find answers and practical
suggestions. That's what Early Intervention Support is all
about.
Whether a family has a child with a challenging behavior,
a disability or developmental issue, childhood is short - it
should be savored and enjoyed.
Learn More:
Ask a Therapist
We understand developmental milestones and the challenges
of Special Needs children. We spend a great deal of time
with families understanding the inner workings of childhood
routines and interactions. Ask us about your child today!
Ask a Therapist
Torticollis
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Torticollis is the shortening of a neck muscle called the
sternocleidomastoid.
The side that is affected causes a child to have their neck tilted
to the side of the shorted muscle and their chin rotated to the
opposite side. The child has difficulties tilting their head the
opposite direction of the tight muscle and turning their head to the
involved side.
Sometimes a firm, non-tender mass can be felt in the muscle. If left
untreated, a child will develop a misshapen head, experience difficulties
acquiring gross motor skills, and suffer potential facial asymmetry.
Most cases resolve with conservative physical therapy treatment. The
earlier a child starts therapy, the better the outcome. In the event
conservative treatment is not successful, surgery to lengthen the muscle may
have to be performed (if a significant deformity still exists after one year
of age).
Before physical therapy begins, cervical abnormalities should be ruled out
as a possible cause, as well as any visual problems.
Torticollis Treatment
Treatment of torticollis consists of stretching the sternocleidomastoid
muscle.
This means tilting the head away from the involved side and holding the
shoulder on the same side, as well as turning the head to the involved side.
A physical therapist can demonstrate how to do these stretches correctly.
Positioning is also key to successful treatment. Rolled-up towels in car
seats to prevent a head tilt, placing the child in his or her bed so they
have to turn their head to the involved side to look at you, feeding the
child to encourage the neck to turn the correct way and tilting the head,
having the child in his or her bouncy seat so they have to turn to their
involved side to watch you in the kitchen, are all ideas to help encourage
your child to actively stretch their neck out as well.
When the child is a little older, after about three months of age,
therapy also addresses head control with equilibrium reactions (the natural
response to trying to maintain your balance) and head righting reactions
(the natural response to keep your eyes level when you are in different
positions).
When Should We Seek Outside Therapy?
Typically, children under three respond to therapy very well in their
most natural environment, whether that is their home or daycare. Sometimes,
however, children may respond better to treatment in a new environment. This
may be because new toys motivate the child, or behavior needs to be modified
and can best be done outside of the home environment.
There are other therapies that can be provided outside of the home that
may be very beneficial as well, such as aquatherapy, or by using clinical
equipment that is impossible to bring to home therapies. Whatever the case
may be, your therapist can work with you and your child to help best meet
your child's needs.
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Learn More About Early Intervention
Therapy Options
Thankfully, there are many ways to deal with childhood developmental
delays and behaviors. These include in-home services, outpatient (you take
your child to a clinic), inpatient (following injury or surgery) and school
based services. Which type of therapy should you choose?
Visit our Therapy Options
area to learn more.
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