Occupational Therapy Archives - West Texas Rehab

Category: Occupational Therapy

Auditory Processing Disorder or ADHD?

Posted on by Suzanne Click

Auditory Processing Disorder or ADHD? Understanding the Difference and When to Seek Help

A child who frequently says “What?” or “Huh?” may not be ignoring you. A student who struggles to follow directions, becomes distracted in class, or has difficulty completing assignments may not simply have an attention problem.

Sometimes, the challenge is the way the brain processes what the ears hear.

Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) can look similar, especially in the classroom. Both can affect a child’s ability to listen, follow directions, learn and stay engaged. However, they are different conditions, and understanding the distinction can help parents and educators find the right evaluation and support.

What Is Auditory Processing Disorder?

Auditory Processing Disorder, also called Central Auditory Processing Disorder (CAPD), occurs when a person has difficulty processing and interpreting auditory information even though their basic hearing may be normal.

In other words, the ears may detect sound appropriately, but the brain can have difficulty making sense of what it hears—particularly when listening conditions are challenging.

According to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), children with auditory processing difficulties may have trouble understanding speech in background noise, following complex or rapidly spoken directions, distinguishing sounds, or processing competing sounds.

What Is ADHD?

ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder that can affect attention, impulse control and activity level. A child with ADHD may have difficulty staying focused, organizing tasks, completing work, sitting still or resisting distractions.

ADHD is diagnosed through a comprehensive evaluation rather than a single test. Healthcare providers consider symptoms across settings and gather information from parents, teachers and others who know the child.

Why Can APD and ADHD Look So Similar?

Imagine a teacher giving a student three verbal instructions while other children are talking nearby.

A child with ADHD may hear the instructions but have difficulty maintaining attention long enough to take in and remember all three steps.

A child with APD may be paying attention but struggle to accurately process the teacher’s words because the classroom is noisy or because the information was delivered quickly.

From the outside, both children might appear to be “not listening.”

That’s why looking at the pattern of difficulties is important.

Signs That May Point Toward Auditory Processing Difficulties

Parents and educators may want to pay particular attention when a child:

  • Frequently asks people to repeat themselves
  • Says “What?” even when it appears they heard the speaker
  • Has much more difficulty understanding speech in noisy environments
  • Struggles to follow multi-step verbal directions
  • Has difficulty understanding rapid speech
  • Needs extra time to respond to spoken questions
  • Has difficulty distinguishing similar sounds or words
  • Seems to listen better when information is written down
  • Has trouble understanding conversations when multiple people are talking
  • Struggles with reading, spelling or other academic tasks
  • Has difficulty identifying where sounds are coming from

These signs do not automatically mean a child has APD. Similar behaviors can occur with hearing loss, language disorders, learning disabilities, attention difficulties and other conditions. A comprehensive evaluation is important.

Signs That May Point Toward ADHD

ADHD may be more likely when difficulties with attention or impulse control occur across different types of activities and settings. Signs can include:

  • Difficulty sustaining attention
  • Frequently becoming distracted
  • Trouble organizing schoolwork or other tasks
  • Difficulty finishing assignments
  • Frequently losing things
  • Fidgeting or having difficulty sitting still
  • Interrupting or acting before thinking
  • Moving quickly from one activity to another
  • Difficulty waiting for a turn

Importantly, these symptoms can overlap with other conditions, so they should not be used to diagnose ADHD on their own.

A Helpful Question for Parents and Teachers

One of the most useful things to observe is when the difficulty happens.

Ask:

Does the child have more trouble listening when there is background noise?

If a child understands much better in a quiet one-on-one setting but struggles significantly in a busy classroom, cafeteria, gym or group conversation, auditory processing may be worth exploring.

Also consider whether the child performs differently when information is presented visually rather than verbally.

For example, a student might struggle when a teacher gives instructions aloud but complete the assignment successfully when the same instructions are written on the board.

These observations don’t provide a diagnosis, but they can give parents, teachers and healthcare providers valuable information to guide the next step.

APD and ADHD Can Occur Together

It’s also important not to think of APD and ADHD as an either/or situation.

A child can have ADHD and auditory processing difficulties. ASHA notes that APD may co-occur with attention, language and learning disorders, which is one reason differential diagnosis can be challenging.

The goal isn’t simply to determine which label fits. The goal is to understand how the child is experiencing the world and what support will help them succeed.

How Auditory Processing Disorder Is Evaluated

An auditory processing evaluation is different from a standard hearing test.

The first step is typically a comprehensive audiologic evaluation to make sure the child’s peripheral hearing is functioning appropriately. Hearing loss and other hearing-related conditions can cause listening difficulties that may resemble auditory processing problems.

If appropriate, an audiologist may then evaluate different aspects of the central auditory system. Depending on the individual and their needs, testing may examine skills such as:

  • Understanding speech in background noise
  • Listening to competing sounds
  • Auditory discrimination
  • Auditory pattern recognition
  • Temporal processing
  • Dichotic listening, or processing different information presented to each ear

The specific test battery is individualized based on the child’s age, history, hearing results and other relevant assessment information.

Because APD can overlap with language, learning and attention difficulties, information from parents, teachers, speech-language professionals, psychologists and other providers can also be important.

How West Texas Rehab’s Hearing Center Can Help

The Hearing Center at West Texas Rehabilitation Center provides audiology services for children and adults, including auditory processing evaluations.

For families concerned that a child’s listening difficulties may be related to auditory processing, our audiology team can help determine whether an auditory processing evaluation is appropriate and provide testing designed to better understand the child’s listening strengths and challenges.

Testing is not about simply giving a child another label. It is about gaining a clearer picture of what is happening when they listen—and using that information to help families and educators make informed decisions about support.

What Parents and Educators Can Do Now

If you’re concerned about a child’s listening or learning, start by keeping track of what you observe.

Notice:

Where does the problem occur?
Is it primarily in noisy environments, during group activities, or even in quiet one-on-one conversations?

When does it happen?
Does the child struggle more with verbal instructions, lengthy explanations or rapid speech?

What helps?
Does writing instructions down, reducing background noise, speaking more slowly or getting the child’s attention first make a difference?

Is it happening in more than one setting?
Compare observations from home, school and other environments.

Sharing these observations with the child’s healthcare providers and teachers can help create a more complete picture.

When Should You Consider an Evaluation?

Consider talking with your child’s healthcare provider or an audiologist if listening difficulties are persistent and are affecting school performance, communication or daily life—especially if your child appears to hear normally but consistently struggles to understand spoken information.

An evaluation can help determine whether the concern may be related to auditory processing, hearing, language, attention or another factor.

Listening is more than hearing. When a child is struggling to understand what they hear, finding the reason is an important first step toward helping them learn and communicate with confidence.

If you have questions about Auditory Processing Disorder or whether your child may benefit from an evaluation, contact the Hearing Center at West Texas Rehabilitation Center to discuss your concerns and available testing options.

Learn more about the West Texas Rehab Hearing Center

This article is for educational purposes and is not intended to diagnose APD, ADHD or another medical or developmental condition. Evaluation by appropriately qualified professionals is necessary for diagnosis.

 

How Occupational Therapy Can Help Strengthen Handwriting Skills

Posted on by Suzanne Click

Helping Little Hands Build Big Skills: How Occupational Therapy Improves Handwriting

Handwriting is more than putting pencil to paper.  It’s an important life skill that supports learning, communication, confidence, and independence. While every child develops at their own pace, some may struggle with handwriting due to challenges with fine motor skills, hand strength, coordination, visual-motor integration, or sensory processing. That’s where occupational therapy can make a meaningful difference.

How Occupational Therapy Helps

Occupational therapists (OTs) work with children to develop the foundational skills needed for successful handwriting. Rather than simply practicing letters over and over, OTs identify the underlying reasons a child may be struggling and create individualized treatment plans to address those challenges.

An occupational therapist may help improve:

  • Fine motor strength and coordination
  • Pencil grasp and hand positioning
  • Hand-eye coordination
  • Visual-motor integration
  • Posture and core strength for seated activities
  • Letter formation, spacing, sizing, and alignment
  • Scissor skills and other classroom fine motor tasks
  • Attention and sensory regulation that support learning

Therapy sessions are designed to be engaging and fun, using games, activities, and hands-on exercises that help children build skills while staying motivated.

Supporting Success at School and Beyond

Strong handwriting skills can improve more than just classroom performance. When children are able to write more efficiently and comfortably, they often experience increased confidence, greater participation in school activities, and less frustration with homework and written assignments.

Occupational therapists also collaborate with parents, teachers, and other caregivers to provide strategies that support continued progress in everyday environments.

Pediatric Occupational Therapy at West Texas Rehab

At West Texas Rehab, our Pediatric Therapy Department is dedicated to helping children reach their fullest potential. We understand that every child has unique strengths and challenges, and our occupational therapists develop personalized treatment plans based on each child’s individual needs.

To make therapy as accessible and convenient as possible, we provide occupational therapy services in two settings:

  • In our pediatric clinics, where children receive one-on-one therapy in a specialized environment designed to promote learning and development.
  • In local schools, where our therapists work directly with students in their educational setting. School-based therapy allows children to practice important skills in the environment where they use them every day while collaborating closely with teachers and school staff.

By offering services both in the clinic and at school, we can provide comprehensive support that helps children succeed wherever they learn, play, and grow.

When Should You Consider an Occupational Therapy Evaluation?

You may benefit from speaking with an occupational therapist if your child:

  • Avoids writing or becomes frustrated during handwriting tasks.
  • Has difficulty holding a pencil correctly.
  • Writes letters that are difficult to read or inconsistently sized.
  • Tires quickly during writing assignments.
  • Struggles with other fine motor activities such as cutting with scissors, buttoning clothing, or using utensils.

Early intervention can help children build the skills they need before handwriting challenges begin to affect their confidence or academic success.

We’re Here to Help

Every child deserves the opportunity to succeed in the classroom and beyond. At West Texas Rehab, our pediatric occupational therapists are passionate about helping children develop the skills they need to thrive.

Whether your child receives therapy in our clinic or through services at their school, our team is committed to providing compassionate, evidence-based care that supports growth, independence, and confidence—one small step, and one handwritten word, at a time.

 

National Rehabilitation Awareness Week

Posted on by Suzanne Click

National Rehabilitation Awareness Week, celebrated annually during the third week of September, promotes the significant benefits of rehabilitation services—including physical, occupational, and speech therapy—for individuals recovering from illness, injury, or surgery. The week highlights the remarkable progress patients achieve, honors the dedicated professionals who guide their recovery, and educates the public on how these specialized services help people regain independence and improve their overall quality of life.

 What is National Rehabilitation Awareness Week?

  • A Time for Awareness:
    It’s an annual event that raises awareness about the crucial role rehabilitation plays in the health and well-being of communities. 
  • A Celebration of Progress:
    The week recognizes the incredible journey of patients, from severe injuries or chronic conditions to regaining their independence and achieving their personal goals. 
  • An Honor for Professionals:
    It provides an opportunity to celebrate and thank the physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, and other dedicated professionals who provide essential care. 

Why is it Important?

  • Physical and Mental Benefits:
    Rehabilitation improves physical strength, mobility, and function, and also significantly contributes to mental health, self-confidence, and a greater sense of well-being. 
  • Restoring Independence:
    Services like occupational therapy help individuals relearn daily activities, while physical therapy focuses on regaining strength and mobility, both vital for returning to a full life. 
  • Broader Impact:
    Rehabilitation services are essential not just for major life changes but also for managing chronic conditions, preventing future injuries, and improving the overall quality of life for people of all ages. 

What Can You Do?

  • Learn More:
    Explore the diverse range of rehabilitation services available, which can include physical, occupational, and speech therapy, as well as animal-assisted therapy. 
  • Connect with Professionals:
    Reach out to a local rehabilitation provider to learn how they can support you or a loved one in recovery. 
  • Spread the Word:
    Share the benefits of rehabilitation and encourage others who could benefit from these services to seek help. 

Understanding the Role of a Pediatric Occupational Therapist: Celebrating Occupational Therapy Month in April

Posted on by Suzanne Click

Understanding the Role of a Pediatric Occupational Therapist: Celebrating Occupational Therapy Month in April

April is a special time to celebrate the impact of Occupational Therapy (OT), and it’s the perfect moment to shine a light on one of its vital branches: pediatric occupational therapy. With April being Occupational Therapy Month, it’s important to recognize the invaluable work that pediatric occupational therapists (OTs) do to help children develop the skills they need to thrive in daily life.

What is Pediatric Occupational Therapy?

Pediatric occupational therapy focuses on helping children of all ages develop the fine motor, cognitive, social, and sensory skills necessary for everyday activities. While many people associate occupational therapy with adults recovering from injuries or surgeries, pediatric OTs specialize in supporting children who may be facing challenges in their development, whether due to medical conditions, disabilities, or developmental delays.

The goal of pediatric occupational therapy is to promote independence, safety, and confidence, both at home and in school. A pediatric OT works with children, families, and teachers to develop personalized treatment plans that help kids learn essential skills for self-care, play, schoolwork, and social interaction.

What Does a Pediatric Occupational Therapist Do?

A pediatric OT’s role can be quite diverse, depending on the needs of each child. Here are some key areas they focus on:

1. Fine Motor Skills Development

Pediatric OTs help children develop the small muscle movements necessary for tasks like writing, tying shoes, and using utensils. They work with kids on hand-eye coordination, hand strength, and finger dexterity to ensure they can complete these important tasks independently.

2. Sensory Integration

Many children experience sensory processing challenges, meaning they may have difficulty processing certain sensory stimuli like sounds, textures, or lights. Pediatric OTs use specific strategies and activities to help kids regulate their sensory responses, helping them feel more comfortable in their environments.

3. Self-Care and Daily Activities

Pediatric OTs teach children how to take care of themselves, including dressing, feeding, grooming, and toileting. The goal is to help children develop the independence to perform these tasks on their own and feel confident in doing so.

4. Cognitive and Social Skills

OTs work on cognitive skills like problem-solving, planning, and attention. They also focus on helping children with social skills, including taking turns, communicating effectively, and managing emotions. This area of therapy can be particularly important for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or attention-related challenges.

5. School Readiness

Many children benefit from occupational therapy to help with school-related tasks, including sitting still, maintaining focus, writing, and using tools like scissors. OTs work closely with teachers and parents to ensure that a child’s learning environment is supportive and that they can participate fully in school activities.

Pediatric occupational therapists play an essential role in helping children build the skills they need to live full, independent lives. From improving fine motor skills to helping children navigate sensory challenges, their work ensures that children can engage in the activities that are important for their growth and development. During Occupational Therapy Month, take a moment to appreciate the incredible work these professionals do and the positive impact they have on the lives of children and families. Whether it’s through therapy sessions, community outreach, or awareness campaigns, pediatric occupational therapists are dedicated to helping kids thrive—today and in the future.

Four Benefits of Dry Needling

Posted on by arollwitz

Dry Needling is a therapeutic treatment in which a trained, certified therapist inserts a small, sterile, microfilament needle directly into a myofascial trigger point in the muscle.  This helps release muscle tension and pain, boosts blood flow, diminishes inflammation, and prompts a healing response.

Read on for the top four benefits of dry needling:

Get fast pain relief

Most people associate trigger points with knotted muscles in their shoulder, upper back, and neck.  But these “knots” can arise in any part of your body
and be associated with many conditions, from low back and sciatica to headaches and overuse injuries. Your pain improves as the knot relaxes and blood flow improves. Better circulation means that painful, acidic wastes get carried away while your muscles receive the oxygen and nutrients they need to heal.

Regain your range of motion

Few things stop you from moving like tight, painful muscles.  If you have multiple trigger points, you may experience severely limited mobility.  And when you’re not active, your muscles weaken and lose mass. Our physical and occupational therapists include dry needling in your comprehensive therapy program to restore your range of motion and rebuild your strength.  Clinically, we see improved muscle length, flexibility, strength and a corresponding decrease in pain with our patients following dry needling treatments.  Therapy further helps retrain your muscles, and this helps to prevent future trigger points.

Accelerate your recovery

Whether you suffered an injury or had surgery, moving your body is the best way to promote healing and speed up your recovery. Physical or Occupational therapy will set you up with an individualized plan specific to your recovery and adding dry needling to this therapy plan can accelerate the healing process.

Improve chronic pain conditions

Dry needling is a non-medicated treatment that goes a long way toward easing chronic pain conditions such as myofascial pain syndrome, migraines, and fibromyalgia. Dry needling improves nerve communication and activates the release of your body’s natural pain relievers. Many chronic pain conditions can be successfully treated in conjunction with other therapies such as stretching, strengthening, and re-educating muscle movement patterns.

Many patients experience an immediate reduction in local and widespread pain after one dry needling session.  Others may need several sessions to achieve optimum pain relief.  Your treatment plan depends on the severity and number of trigger points.

For more information about dry needling services offered at West Texas Rehabilitation Center, please contact our Adult Therapy departments at San Angelo (325-223-6300) or Abilene (325-793-3400).

In September, we celebrate National Rehabilitation Awareness Week

Posted on by arollwitz

During the month of September and especially National Rehabilitation Awareness Week, we celebrate the rehabilitation professionals who all work together to make a difference in the lives of others. Therapists truly are some of the most highly caring and sensitive individuals who genuinely enjoy helping people. So, we want to say, “A BIG Thank You!” for the compassion, patience, and understanding you exhibit with your patients.

Did You Know?

The first ever National Rehabilitation Awareness Week was started in 1976, with a small campaign by Allied Service in Scranton, Pennsylvania. Fast forward 40+ years, the campaign has grown into a national awareness initiative dedicated to the caring professionals who help patients achieve their goals every day!

In honor of National Rehabilitation Awareness Week, we dug up some fun facts about the fields of therapy:

Physical Therapy Fun Facts

  • According to Forbes, physical therapy ranks among the top 10 “happiest jobs” in America.
  • Many of today’s physical therapy techniques date back thousands of years. The first use of massage and hydrotherapy goes as far back as 460 BC.
  • Physical therapy as a profession actually started during World War I as there was a need to take care of injured soldiers, and the first PTs during WWI were called “reconstruction aides”.
  • Physical therapy began as a female-only profession. The initial physical therapy professional organization was called the American Women’s Physical Therapy Association and had 274 members.
  • In 1922, the American Women’s Physical Therapy Association changed their name to the American Physiotherapy Association. Then in the 1940’s, the organization changed its name once again to the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), whose members today include over 100,000 therapists in the U.S. alone.
  • The demand for physical therapy increased in the late 1960s and 1970s. Schools could not graduate PTs fast enough during this time, so the career of physical therapy assistant was created.

Occupational Therapy Fun Facts

  • Occupational therapy techniques date back farther than PT. In 100 BC, a Greek physician named Asclepiades used OT techniques to treat mental illness.
  • In 1917, the occupational therapy profession was founded by three men and three women.
  • Like PTs, OTs treated injured soldiers in World War I and World War II.
  • Today, over 30% of occupational therapists work in the pediatric field, but OTs did not actually work with children until the mid-20th century.
  • In 1975, public schools began employing thousands of OTs to help disabled children.
  • The American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) celebrated their 100-year anniversary in 2017. Their founding name was the National Society for the Promotion of Occupational Therapy. Today, membership includes over 65,000 occupational therapists, occupational therapy assistants, and students.

Speech Therapy Fun Facts 

  • The speech language pathology profession began in the 18th century in England.
  • Many World War II soldiers suffered brain injuries and had resulting aphasia. Thus, the need for speech rehabilitation services attracted large numbers of men and women to the profession of speech therapy.
  • The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) began in 1925 at a meeting of the National Association of Teachers of Speech in New York City.
  • Since the establishment of the American Academy of Speech Correction in 1925, the association has changed its name four times, and formally became known as the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association in 1978.
  • Today, ASHA membership includes over 218,000 speech therapists.

This article was written by Jami Cooley

To learn more about the services provided by West Texas Rehab, go to https://westtexasrehab.org/services/

Down Syndrome Explained: Rocking an Extra Chromosome

Posted on by arollwitz

Down syndrome is a genetic disorder caused when abnormal cell division results in extra genetic material from chromosome 21. Instead of the typical 46 chromosomes, people with Down syndrome have 47 chromosomes. Having an extra chromosome changes brain and body development resulting in physical and cognitive differences. 

There are three different types of Down syndrome: 

  1. Trisomy 21 is the most common and accounts for 95% of the cases. It is caused by an extra copy of chromosome 21. 
  2. Mosaic is when there is a mixture of cells with the normal 46 chromosomes and those with 47 that have an extra chromosome 21. 
  3. Translocation is when there are the normal 46 chromosomes but then an extra copy of chromosome 21 attaches to another chromosome; usually chromosome 14.

 

Common characteristics: 

While characteristics vary from person to person, these are some of the most common:

Physical Features Cognitive/Social Features Developmental Delays
  • A flattened face, especially the bridge of the nose
  • Almond-shaped eyes that slant up
  • A short neck, fingers, and toes
  • Small ears
  • Short attention span
  • Poor judgment
  • Impulsive behavior
  • Slower learning
  • Delayed language and speech development
  • Gross motor skills
  • Fine motor skills
  • Speech and language skills

Myths vs. Facts

Myths  Facts 
Down syndrome is a rare disorder. 

Most children with Down syndrome are born to older parents.

All children with Down syndrome have a severe cognitive disability.

People with Down syndrome cannot be active members of society.

 It is the most commonly occurring chromosomal condition. Approximately 1 out of 772 babies in the United States are born with Down syndrome.

More children with Down syndrome are born to parents younger than 35 but the likelihood of having a baby with Down syndrome increases with age. 

Most people with Down syndrome have a mild to moderate cognitive or intellectual disability.

People with Down syndrome participate in a wide range of activities in their communities.  

 

What can I do to help? 

Talk to your child’s pediatrician about services, equipment, and community resources in your area for support as they learn new skills.  Examples that may be appropriate:

 

Healthcare Equipment/Devices Community Resources
  • Medical Specialists
    • Pediatrics, Orthopedics, Neurology, Genetics, and others as appropriate
  • ECI (Early Childhood Intervention, 0-3 years)
  • Pediatric Outpatient 
    • Physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy
  • AAC (Augmented/Alternative Communication)
  • DME (Durable Medical Equipment)
    • Orthotics
    • Standing frame
    • Gait trainer
    • Walker 
  • Daycare settings for children with special needs
  • School-based therapy and accommodations
  • Adaptive Sports (Challenger League, etc.)
  • Upside Down Club of Abilene (or local chapter in your area)
    • Annual Buddy Walk event

 

Organizations and Websites that offer Support 

This website has resources and programs; education for parents as educators; supports for advocacy; an annual convention; and Down syndrome news stories and events. Each state also has various links to help at the state level. 

This website has resources and support by age and by topic. It also has help with advocacy and policy. 

This website offers resources, programs, research, and events specific to individuals with mosaic Down syndrome

This website offers resources and support, events, and even a shop for Down syndrome awareness 

This website has programs and resources for people with down syndrome and their families. These resources/programs include apps, a magazine, workshops, and podcasts. These resources are also available in Spanish. 

This website was created to help people with intellectual disabilities with advocacy and policy and helps to connect families with local agencies that can help with these areas. 

This website offers information about research and medical care; offers programs and events; advocacy; and news about people with Down syndrome. The foundation helps to fund the  Linda Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome which is committed to research and medical care for people with Down syndrome. 

This website offers resources, events, and personal stories for families in the Big Country area.

To learn more about all of the services we provide, click here.

Oral Motor Approach to Feeding and Speech

Posted on by arollwitz

Oral Motor function and skill is something you may hear your Speech-Language Pathologist talk about in reference to your child’s speech and feeding therapy. What does Oral Motor mean anyway? Oral motor refers to the movement patterns and muscles of the mouth. So it makes sense that Oral Motor function and skill are important for speech and eating. Therefore, when we look at speech and feeding delays through the lens of oral motor functioning, we are able to more specifically identify and serve those patients whose speech and feeding skill delays are a result of an oral motor function deficit.

Oral motor function impacts five major areas:

  1. Awareness of pressure and movement – The body’s automatic response to sensory input i.e.(trigger of swallow or cough to protect the airway)
  2. Control of Secretions – swallowing saliva, adequate lip closure to prevent drooling
  3. Coordination for eating, drinking, talking, and facial expressions- just like we need coordination to walk and ride a bike, we need motor coordination to eat and drink a variety of consistencies safely and efficiently, and to coordinate speech movements along with breathe.
  4. Knowledge of the environment-sensory receptors (taste and touch) give information about objects within the environment i.e.( when babies mouth and chew to find out more about things around them)
  5. Control of movements for talking – early developing sounds require slower, larger movements for cooing (vowels) and as development progresses and muscle skills improve new sounds emerge with the vowel sounds i.e. babbling (bababa, mamama). Once coordination increases sound combinations become more complex i.e. (first words -> phrases -> sentences).

All of these areas are vital in the development of normal speech and feeding abilities. If there is significant weakness or deficit in oral motor function, feeding and speech development may be delayed or disordered for a child’s age i.e. (problems with drooling, tongue thrust, gagging, poor suck, poor eating, poor food texture grading, limited food preferences, and poor speech production).

What’s the next step? A Speech-Language Pathologist will do a comprehensive evaluation to look at all areas of speech, language, and/or feeding abilities. As a part of this evaluation, the SLP will determine if oral motor assessment is indicated. If oral motor assessment is warranted, the SLP will measure your child’s oral motor function and determine if oral motor intervention is indicated as an appropriate approach for speech or feeding therapy sessions.

Don’t we need to work on actual speech or eating tasks to improve these areas?

YES, in order to improve/develop adequate speech and/or feeding skills, the main target of therapy will be to practice speaking and/or eating. However, there is more than one way to build muscle strength, control, and coordination. Just like there are many different exercises to increase core strength i.e. (crunches, sit ups, plank). If we incorporate a variety of different ways to work and provide input to the muscles used for speech and feeding, the greater the functional strength and coordination outcome.

Will Oral motor intervention magically produce speech or increased feeding skills?

Not on it’s own. However, when paired with targeted speech or feeding intervention tasks, oral motor exercises can increase awareness and sensory input to the muscles which impact muscle activation, planning, programming, and execution. We need all of these components for everyday speech and feeding tasks.  To find out more information contact our Speech Therapy department in San Angelo or Abilene.  https://westtexasrehab.org/services/

References:

Beckman, D. A. (1986 Rev. 2007) Beckman Oral motor Assessment and Intervention.

Published by Beckman & Associates, Inc.

620 N Wymore Rd STE 230, Maitland, Florida 32751-4253.

www.beckmanoralmotor.com

Written by:

Kalee Rupe M.S. CCC-SLP

Lymphedema Treatment Act passed by Congress in 2023 goes into effect January 1, 2024

Posted on by arollwitz

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Heather Ferguson

Heather@LymphedemaTreatmentAct.org

704-965-0620

 

Health Provision Passed by Congress will Help Millions Who Suffer From this Under-Recognized Chronic Disease: Cancer survivors and others with lymphedema applaud inclusion of the Lymphedema Treatment Act in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023

For 12 years, the all-volunteer Lymphedema Advocacy Group led a grassroots campaign to close the unintended gap in Medicare coverage that prevented the program from covering prescribed medical compression garments that are the cornerstone of treatment for lymphedema.

“My son who was born with lymphedema was prescribed his first compression garment when he was seven months old,” said Heather Ferguson, the Founder and Executive Director of the group. “Our insurance company denied it because they aligned their coverage with Medicare.”

An estimated 3-5 million Americans suffer from lymphedema, a disease that causes painful and potentially life-threatening buildup of lymphatic fluid in the body. About two-thirds of patients acquire the condition due to damage done to their lymphatic system during cancer treatment, but there are also many other causes of lymphedema, including congenital malformations.

During each of the last three Congresses the Lymphedema Treatment Act had tremendous bipartisan support, with over 400 House and Senate cosponsors. As Congress concluded their work in 2022 the bill was included in the year-end omnibus spending package, creating a new Medicare Part B benefit category for lymphedema compression supplies.

“I am proud that the Lymphedema Treatment Act, which I have worked on for many years, was included in this package. Lymphedema is not a choice. Access to care should not be either,” said Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (D-IL-9), who sponsored the bill in the House.

“Lymphedema patients have been denied this coverage for far too long. After battling cancer, survivors can be met with this equally debilitating diagnosis, but with far fewer resources in place to assist them,” said Congressman Buddy Carter (R-GA-1), who co-led the House bill. “As a pharmacist and a child of a cancer survivor, I’ve seen the pain that lymphedema can cause. To those patients – help is on the way.”

“Lymphedema affects more than 8,000 Medicare beneficiaries in Washington state and millions of Americans. By updating Medicare, we’re reflecting necessary and effective treatments for this condition,” said Senator Cantwell (D-WA), who sponsored the bill in the Senate. “This new law is a commonsense approach to improving care for Medicare beneficiaries living with lymphedema while reducing costly hospitalizations.”

The Senate bill was co-led by Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA). According to multiple studies and real-world data, the use of medical compression garments has been proven to significantly reduce lymphedema-related infections and other complications, and an independent analysis by Avalere concluded that improved access to these doctor prescribed supplies would save Medicare hundreds of millions of dollars annually through avoided hospitalizations.

“As an SSDI and Medicare beneficiary I have experienced more frequent infections since being on Medicare and not having coverage for my compression garments,” said Sarah Bramblette, Board Chair of the Lymphedema Advocacy Group. “Being able to better manage this chronic disease will greatly improve my health and quality of life.”

Patient advocates and stakeholder groups will now work with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid services as they implement the new coverage, which will go into effect January 1, 2024. The Lymphedema Advocacy Group plans to celebrate passage of the bill and announce next steps at an upcoming event in Washington, DC, which may occur in March, during Lymphedema Awareness Month. Advocates interested in more information can go to LymphedemaTreatmentAct.org.

May is Stroke Awareness Month

Posted on by arollwitz

May is Stroke Awareness Month, a time dedicated to increasing awareness about stroke, its causes, and its impact on individuals and families. Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability worldwide, and it is important to understand its warning signs and risk factors.

A stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is disrupted, either due to a clot blocking a blood vessel (ischemic stroke) or due to bleeding in the brain (hemorrhagic stroke). When the brain is deprived of blood and oxygen, brain cells start to die within minutes. This can lead to permanent brain damage, disability, or even death.

According to the American Stroke Association, someone in the United States has a stroke every 40 seconds, and someone dies from a stroke every four minutes. In addition, stroke is a leading cause of serious long-term disability, with more than 6.5 million stroke survivors currently living in the U.S.

While stroke can affect anyone, certain risk factors increase the likelihood of having a stroke. These include high blood pressure, smoking, diabetes, high cholesterol, obesity, and a family history of stroke. People who have had a previous stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA, or “mini-stroke”) are also at higher risk.

Recognizing the warning signs of stroke is crucial for getting prompt medical attention and preventing long-term damage. The acronym “FAST” is an easy way to remember the signs of stroke:

  • Face drooping: Does one side of the face droop or feel numb?
  • Arm weakness: Is one arm weak or numb? Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
  • Speech difficulty: Is speech slurred or hard to understand? Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence, like “The sky is blue.”
  • Time to call 911: If someone shows any of these symptoms, call 911 immediately.

Getting to a hospital quickly can make a big difference in a stroke patient’s outcome. Certain treatments, like clot-busting drugs or mechanical thrombectomy, are time-sensitive and can only be given within a few hours of the onset of symptoms.

Stroke Awareness Month is an opportunity to spread the word about stroke prevention, recognition, and treatment. By raising awareness, we can help more people understand the risk factors, warning signs, and actions to take in the event of a stroke. This knowledge can ultimately save lives and improve outcomes for stroke survivors.

Source: https://thestrokefoundation.org/stroke-awareness-month/