Occupational Therapy is a treatment that focuses on everyday life skills and helps your child live life to their fullest potential.  Growing, learning, and playing is your child's occupation and occupational therapy can help them improve their day-to-day functioning.  We focus on the treatment of your child's cognitive, sensory, and physical disablilities to encourage growth.  Our highly educated and skilled Occupational Therapists will give your child the steps necessary to be more independent, while maximizing their life skills and enhancing their natural abilities.

Signs Your Child may need an Occupational Therapist:

  - Difficulty brushing teeth

  - Putting on shoes or socks

  - Trouble writing or paying attention in class

  - Falling 

  - Difficulty picking up objects

  - Trouble with coordination

Speech Therapy is the treatment of language disorders and speech problems.  Your child may have difficulty putting words together and producing sounds.  A language or speech pathologist (speech therapist) is a valuable tool and is trained in the development of human communication.  The speech therapist understands speech disorders and the proper techniques to give your child the power to communicate more effectively.

Signs Your Child may need Speech Therapy:

  - Your child is stumbling over words

  - Your child's teacher has expressed concern about problems with verbal skills

  - Your child becomes frustrated easily when trying to communicate verbally

  - Your child has difficulty swallowing

  - Difficulty holding head up

  - Chewing and Drinking issues

Physical Therapy is the treatment of physical disabilities, injuries, or disorders.  The physical therapist will use techniques in physical exercise, massage, heat applications and body movements.    LifeSteps physical therapists have a deep understanding of the issues associated with the body and movement.  There are many forms of treatment available, so it is imperative that our highly trained therapists fully assess your child and determine the proper form of treatment for your child and their specific needs.

Signs Your Child may need Physical Therapy:

  - Difficulty rolling over

  - Problems Sitting Up

  - Losing Balance 

  - Difficulties riding a bike

  - Obvious limps or weaknesses

  - Slow recovery after injury

Social Workers deal with the treatment of children dealing with domestic conflicts or social issues.  They help improve the social and psychological functioning of your child and give hope where there seems to be no hope.  Many children have a difficult time coping with their day-to-day lives and have problems with family and social relationships.  It is important that your child is equipped with the knowledge to overcome these issues and learn to cope with these life situations.  LifeSteps Social Workers will conduct research, advocate for services and assistance for the family and bridge the gap between children and their families.  Our caring social workers will be a giant step in the right direction for the overall development of your child's ability to function in society.

Signs Your Child may need a Social Worker:

  - Angry or withdrawn

  - Always labeled a trouble child

  - Trouble making friends or fitting in

  - Emotional and crying often

  - Hitting or injuring self or others

A Registered Dietician is an expert when it comes to nutrition and how it relates to health and weight management.  They treat your child by educating and encouraging good health and proper diet.  Many physical and mental disorders can be traced back to the foods that we eat or do not eat.  LifeSteps Registered Dieticians will do everything possible to reverse the damage caused by improper nutrition and help your child get back in step with a diet that will manage their weight and make life more enjoyable.  

Signs Your Child may need a Registered Dietician:

  - Too Thin

  - Too Heavy

  - Lathargic

  - Low Energy Output

  - Diabetic

  - Skin rashes or breakouts

Respiratory Therapy is the methods and techniques used to treat respiratory and cardiovascular disorders like asthma, emphysema, and cystic fibrosis.  Respiratory therapists focus on management of airways and the mechanics associated with the heart and lungs.  Their primary function is to work with chronic conditions and help the patient to function more productively on a day-to-day basis.  LifeSteps Respiratory Therapists work closely with your physician, speech therapist, and physical therapists to properly assess your child's respiratory needs and the treatment necessary to improve your child's ability to breathe and live life to the fullest.

Signs Your Child may need a Respiratory Therapist:

  - Difficulty breathing

  - Has trouble sleeping at night due to wheezing

  - Sweats excessively

  - Has blue fingernails and/or blue lips

  - Appears to have pale or grey skin color

Psychological Counseling is used to treat children with emotional problems or behavioral issues. The focus of psychological counseling is to stimulate the optimum behavioral, emotional and social development of your child. The goal is to resolve problems that affect their personal and family lives and  improve the overall well-being of the child.  LifeSteps Psychological Counselors are trained to improve the functioning of the whole family and provide your child with the stability to cope with life’s difficulties.

Signs Your Child may need Psychological Counseling:

  -  Impatient or bossy with other children

  -  Disruptive in class or may be considered the class clown

  -  Seem to always be too hard on themselves or others

  -  Resists daily routines and refuses to help

  -  Too much energy

  -  Can't maintain focus of energy