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
Autism & Sensory Processing Disorder
As therapists we are often asked to explain why Autism is on
the rise. There are many hypotheses floating around in an
attempt to explain this question, yet unfortunately few facts.
While I in no way wish to diminish the diagnosis of true Autism
or even Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD) consider this:
All children with PDD (autism falls under this umbrella) have
Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD), not ALL children with SPD
have PDD.
Sensory Integration (SI) is somewhat of an unknown in the medical arena,
and understandably so - it is just recently that studies are beginning to
demonstrate the true efficacy of treatment. There are some physicians
who claim to not "believe" in SI - though I would ask, what is there to
believe in? Every piece of information received by the central nervous
system is received as a sensation - be it touch, hearing, vision, smell,
movement or taste.
Many dedicated Occupational Therapists (OT's) - such as Dr. Lucy Jane
Miller and Julia Harper OTR/L - have dedicated their life's work to
developing clear and proven protocols to help sensory integration be more
understood and thus impact the lives of many. No treatment of PDD would be
complete without SI. If you have a child with PPD of any kind or
possible SPD it is imperative that you seek out a physician who is well
versed in the effects of SI treatments and understands the importance of
such treatments.
In turn take it upon your self to question your OT to be sure they have
more than entry level training in sensory integration but have in fact been
to a continuing education course that teaches identification and specific
treatments. Sensory Processing Disorder Foundation website:
http://www.spdfoundation.net
Tara Deringor, PT
More Tips for Children with Special Needs
Parenting Tips in Other Areas IncludeLearn More About Early InterventionTherapy OptionsThankfully, 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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