Pediatric therapy helps children with developmental delays, physical disabilities, injuries, and neurological conditions. It focuses on improving their mobility, strength, coordination, and independence. This therapy encompasses both pediatric physical therapy and pediatric occupational therapy, tailored to meet a child's age, condition, and specific needs.

Both therapies help children gain independence and improve their skills, but they focus on different areas of development.
● Pediatric physical therapy (PT) helps children improve their gross motor skills, like walking, balance, coordination, and strength. It supports kids in moving better, recovering from injuries, and building the stamina they need for daily activities.
● Pediatric occupational therapy (OT) helps children improve their fine motor skills, self-care tasks, and sensory integration. OT teaches kids the skills they need for dressing, feeding, handwriting, and everyday activities.

In the first session, the therapist will:
- Look at your child’s strengths, challenges, and movement habits.
- Go over their medical history, developmental milestones, and any concerns you have.
- Watch how your child moves, plays, and interacts with their surroundings.
- Create a personalized treatment plan based on your child’s unique goals.
- Provide parents and caregivers with exercises and strategies to help your child continue making progress at home.

The length of therapy depends on the child's condition, goals, and progress. Some children may need only a few months of therapy, while others with long-term conditions may need ongoing support. Therapists regularly check progress and change treatment plans to make sure the child keeps improving.

Parents are essential for their child's success. Therapists give home exercise programs and suggest activities to help kids make progress between sessions. Here are some simple ways to help:
● Encourage play and movement that help reach therapy goals.
● Add therapy exercises to your daily routine.
● Create a safe and organized space for your child to practice new skills.

Many major insurance plans cover pediatric physical therapy and occupational therapy. We accept Blue Cross Blue Shield, Priority Health, Aetna, Auto No-Fault, Worker’s Compensation, Medicaid, and Medicare. If you have questions about your coverage, please contact us for help with insurance verification or private pay options.

Early signs of autism include:
- Delays in talking and using gestures.
- Not responding when someone calls their name.
- Getting upset with minor changes in routine.
- Avoiding physical contact.
- Showing little interest in objects or people.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) says that children should be screened for autism during their regular check-ups at 18 and 24 months. The National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities (NCBDD) recommends screening for all children at 9, 18, and 24 or 30 months.

There are no medical tests, like blood tests or brain scans, to diagnose Autism. A correct diagnosis depends on observing how a person communicates, how they interact with others, and what activities and interests they have.

To get tested for autism in Michigan, contact Caliber to schedule a consultation. Our team will help you with the assessment process to make sure you receive a complete and accurate diagnosis.

EIBI is a therapy for young children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). It is based on evidence and helps children learn positive behaviors, improve communication, and develop social skills. EIBI also aims to reduce challenging behaviors. This therapy typically begins early, starting as young as age 2 or 3.

Starting early with Early Intensive Behavioral Intervention (EIBI), typically around ages 2 or 3, is crucial. This early intervention helps children develop better skills. It takes advantage of a critical time in their growth, leading to long-lasting improvements in communication, social skills, and behavior.

EIBI uses Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and provides intensive therapy, usually 20 to 40 hours each week. Each program is tailored to meet the specific needs of the child. It focuses on essential skills, including communication, social interactions, play, and self-care. The program includes regular assessments to make adjustments as needed.

Parents play a key role in Early Intensive Behavioral Intervention (EIBI). They receive training to help their child grow. Parents are encouraged to apply the skills learned in therapy to their everyday activities. It helps reinforce their child's progress and ensures consistency in different settings.

A child's progress in Early Intensive Behavioral Intervention (EIBI) is checked regularly through ongoing assessments. The therapy program is updated as needed to match the child's changing needs. It ensures that the intervention stays effective and supports the child's developmental goals.

Parent coaching for autism helps parents learn how to meet their children's special needs and support their growth. It offers advice on how to communicate effectively, manage behavior, and create a positive home environment for their children.

Parent coaching gives you practical tools to help your child's growth. It provides strategies to manage behavior, improve communication, and create a supportive environment.

Coaching sessions focus on communication, behavior management, daily routines, and emotional support. The goal is to offer practical solutions that meet your child's specific needs.

The number of coaching sessions you have can change based on your needs. Usually, sessions are weekly or every other week, but you can adjust this based on your family's goals and progress.

Parent coaching supports parents in helping their child develop. It does not replace professional therapy, but it works well in conjunction with it. This coaching complements any other treatment your child may be getting.

The Pre-K readiness program helps children with autism prepare for preschool. It focuses on their unique needs by enhancing social communication, offering behavioral support, and developing academic skills.

The program offers activities designed to enhance communication skills. It includes speech therapy, alternative communication tools, and social skills training. These activities aim to enhance interactions with peers, improve both spoken and nonverbal communication, and help individuals understand social cues.

The program offers evidence-based interventions to manage challenging behaviors, teach self-regulation, and address sensory processing issues through sensory integration activities.

The program establishes structured routines using visual schedules to reduce anxiety and facilitate smoother transitions between different activities and environments, thereby ensuring a more seamless experience for the child.

Parents receive training to reinforce strategies at home, and the program involves collaboration with special education teachers, therapists, and behavior analysts to provide a comprehensive approach to the child’s development.

Feeding therapy is a specialized approach designed to address eating challenges in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). It focuses on overcoming sensory sensitivities, improving motor skills related to eating, and addressing behavioral issues associated with eating. The therapy aims to enhance a child's comfort with eating, expand food preferences, and improve mealtime behaviors.

Assessment in feeding therapy involves identifying specific challenges a child faces, such as sensory issues, oral-motor difficulties, and behavioral aspects. This comprehensive evaluation enables therapists to create a tailored plan that effectively addresses these issues and supports the child's eating habits.

To address sensory sensitivities, feeding therapy utilizes sensory integration techniques, which involve gradually exposing individuals to various textures, tastes, and smells. This approach helps expand a child's food preferences and reduces discomfort related to sensory experiences during mealtime.

Feeding therapy supports oral-motor skill development through targeted exercises and activities designed to improve chewing and swallowing abilities. These exercises help children develop the necessary skills to handle a variety of food textures and reduce difficulties during mealtime.

Behavioral interventions in feeding therapy include positive reinforcement and desensitization techniques to manage food refusal, mealtime tantrums, and selective eating. These strategies aim to create a more positive mealtime experience and encourage a healthier relationship with food.

Occupational therapists use various interventions, including handwriting skills enhancement, visual perceptual training, motor planning exercises, and spatial awareness activities. These techniques help strengthen hand muscles, improve grip, and enhance the organization and legibility of written content.

Adaptive writing tools, such as specialized grips, weighted pens, and ergonomic surfaces, are recommended to improve grasp stability and writing control. These tools are customized to meet individual needs, making writing more comfortable and practical.

Visual perceptual training includes activities that improve visual discrimination, memory, and spatial relations. These exercises help children better recognize letters, shapes, and patterns, leading to more accurate and efficient writing skills.

Motor planning exercises enhance writing by improving motor sequencing, coordination, and hand-eye coordination. Activities like finger plays, stringing beads, and bilateral coordination tasks strengthen the motor control needed for smooth and precise writing.

Environmental modifications, such as providing supportive seating, optimizing lighting, and organizing materials within easy reach, create a comfortable and distraction-free space. These adjustments help children focus more effectively and perform better in writing tasks.

Social skills programs are structured interventions designed to help autistic children develop the necessary skills for effective social communication, interaction, and understanding of social cues.

These programs enhance social communication, help children build meaningful relationships, and improve their ability to interact in various social settings, leading to greater confidence and independence.

Yes, social skills programs are often customized to address the specific challenges and strengths of each child, ensuring that the interventions are effective and relevant to their unique needs.

Activities may include role-playing, group discussions, social stories, games, and peer interaction exercises that teach essential skills like taking turns, understanding body language, and initiating conversations.

Parents can support their child by reinforcing the skills learned in the program at home, encouraging social interaction with peers, and collaborating with program facilitators to monitor and guide progress.

AAC includes devices and systems that support or replace verbal speech. It helps autistic individuals communicate by using speech-generating devices or symbol-based systems, catering to various communication needs and preferences.

PECS uses picture cards to facilitate communication by allowing individuals to exchange images to request items or actions. It starts with simple exchanges and progresses to more complex interactions, promoting effective communication and understanding.

Yes, sign language, such as American Sign Language (ASL), can be highly effective, especially for those with motor difficulties that affect verbal speech. It provides a visual and tactile method for communication, enhancing expression and interaction.

Visual supports, such as schedules, social stories, and communication boards, help individuals understand and process information more effectively visually. They enhance comprehension and reduce anxiety by providing clear, structured visual cues.

Non-verbal gestures, such as pointing or nodding, are essential for conveying meaning. They can be used alone or in conjunction with other communication methods to provide clarity and support in expressing needs and thoughts.

Parent training groups cover a range of topics, including autism education, evidence-based practices, behavioral and communication strategies, advocacy skills, social skills development, stress management, and practical techniques for daily routines.

These groups offer techniques for enhancing communication, including the use of visual aids, implementing structured routines, and employing positive reinforcement methods. The goal is to improve interactions and understanding between parents and their child.

Advocacy skills involve learning how to effectively interact with schools, healthcare professionals, and other support systems to ensure your child's needs are met. These skills are essential for navigating educational and medical systems and accessing the necessary resources and support.

Parent training groups offer strategies for stress management and provide opportunities for peer support and mutual understanding. Sharing experiences with other parents can reduce feelings of isolation and provide practical tips for coping with the challenges of raising a child with autism.

Yes, many parent training groups offer ongoing support and guidance as your child's needs evolve. It may include follow-up sessions, access to additional resources, and continued peer networking to help you stay informed and supported.