Patient Information

In most cases, the term "diagnosis" is reserved for physicians due to legal reasons. However, pediatric physical therapists play a vital role in the healthcare process by assessing and confirming or refuting a diagnosis.

When you bring your child to Riverbend Pediatric Therapy for their initial session, our pediatric physical therapist will conduct a thorough evaluation, which includes a detailed medical history review and a comprehensive physical examination. This assessment helps determine the severity of your child's condition, identify the source of their symptoms, and evaluate factors contributing to their condition.

Pediatric physical therapists often collaborate closely with physicians to provide valuable insights and confirm or question a diagnosis. This collaboration ensures that your child receives an accurate diagnosis and an appropriate treatment plan tailored to their unique needs.

Yes, you have the right to choose the pediatric therapy clinic that best suits your child's needs and your preferences. According to "The Patient's Bill of Rights," you have the autonomy to make decisions about your child's healthcare, including selecting the pediatric therapy clinic that aligns with your goals and expectations. You are not obligated to attend any specific clinic recommended by a medical practitioner or insurance company. At Riverbend Pediatric Therapy, we respect your right to choose the best care for your child.

Our clinic is committed to ensuring that every child has access to the care they need. We offer cash-based options for families who do not have insurance coverage. These payments must be made at the time of service.

Please contact our [all-or-town][state-name] clinic for information about rates and payment options through our front desk. Rest assured, we will never turn a child away from receiving the necessary pediatric physical therapy services.

Speech therapy can be a significant asset to children who have difficulties with communication for various reasons. It's not only beneficial for children with identified speech or language disorders, but it can also support those who struggle with the social aspects of communication, those with cognitive delays, or even children with physical disabilities that affect their speech.

• Speech Sound Disorders: Speech sound disorders involve difficulty correctly producing specific sounds. A child may substitute, add, omit, or distort sounds, making it difficult to understand them. In this case, speech therapy can help by practicing the sounds the child finds challenging. Techniques may involve showing the child how to move their mouth to produce specific sounds and giving feedback as they attempt these sounds. They may also work on building awareness and recognition of the sounds in different words.
• Stuttering: Stuttering is a speech disorder that affects the flow of speech. Children who stutter may repeat sounds, syllables, or words or experience involuntary pauses or blocks in speech. Speech therapy can help by teaching techniques to control this stuttering. This could include breathing exercises, pacing their speech, or gradually working on producing longer words and sentences without stuttering.
• Articulation Disorders: Articulation disorders involve problems with the physical production of sounds. Children with these disorders may have difficulties forming certain sounds, resulting in unclear or distorted speech. Speech therapy can help by identifying problematic sounds and practicing their correct production through exercises and real-life applications.
• Receptive-Expressive Language Disorders: These disorders involve difficulties understanding language (receptive language) and expressing thoughts, feelings, and ideas (expressive language). In therapy, the child may work on understanding and using new vocabulary, forming sentences, following instructions, and responding to questions. Therapy can also help with non-verbal communication, such as interpreting body language and social cues.

As for identifying if your child has these conditions, it is best to consult our speech therapists (SLP). However, some signs to look out for include:

• Speech that is not easily understood by people outside of the family or by peers.
• Difficulty following instructions or answering questions appropriately.
• Frustration or difficulty when trying to express thoughts and ideas.
• Repeating sounds, syllables, and words frequently, or hesitations/blockages in speech.
• Difficulty producing certain sounds correctly or substituting one sound for another.

Remember, children develop at different rates, and some speech and language development variation is normal. If you're concerned about your child's speech or language development, call Riverbend Pediatric Therapy today at (985) 590-4549 and schedule an appointment!