Torticollis-What It Is and How Physical Therapy Can Help

Posted on March 27, 2011 by admin

~Submitted by Whitney Woodhull-Smith, DPT

Torticollis is the tightening or shortening of the sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscle (a neck muscle).  This tightness causes the head to lean toward the tight muscle and turn away from it.  Torticollis is the third most common congenital musculoskeletal anomaly in newborns.  It is not always known why torticollis occurs, but it is often caused by the position of the head or neck in utero or during labor and delivery.  Plagiocephaly (flattening of the skull) is often related to torticollis and is worsened by spending too much time lying on the back.  With torticollis there is a muscle imbalance and the baby has difficulty maintaining their head in the middle.  The neck is tight when moved in the opposite direction.

Torticollis is treated with physical therapy. Performing stretches that your PT teaches you is vital to improving the baby’s condition.  Physical therapy focuses on stretching the tightened SCM and strengthening the opposite SCM.  It also addresses the baby’s gross motor development.  Tummy time is key to strengthening neck muscles and slowing down the flattening of the head.  If left untreated, torticollis can affect the baby’s skull,  facial development, and alignment.  Please make an appointment with your pediatrician if you are concerned about your baby’s neck or head shape.

Posted in RTS Team, Therapy Ideas, Topics | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

So, What Happens at an Evaluation?

Posted on March 24, 2011 by admin

Often times before bringing their child in, parents will ask us, “What do you do during an evaluation?”   Although every evaluation is different and unique for that specific child, there are some common processes that our physical therapists, occupational therapists, and speech therapists follow.

The therapist will talk with the parent/caregiver about your concerns, the child’s medical history, developmental history (including gross motor, fine motor, sensory integration, and/or speech and language skills), educational/academic history, behaviors, etc.

The therapist will interact with the child, using play-based assessment when appropriate, to observe certain skills.

Standardized test(s) may be given, depending on the child’s level of function, cooperation, and attention skills.  We often use dynamic assessment measures as well.  These include prompting the child to perform certain tasks/skills, teaching a skill and then testing, observation, clinical checklists, parent report, and documentation review.

The therapist may observe the child by himself/herself or with the parent in order look for skills from a clinical checklist.

At the end of the evaluation, your therapist will briefly discuss some initial impressions.   However, a diagnosis may not be given until a later date so that the therapist can review all of the evaluation results.

Your therapist will be in touch with you within 5 business days to discuss results and treatment options, if appropriate.

Posted in Evaluations | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Making the Most Out of Therapy Sessions

Posted on March 20, 2011 by admin

We are often asked by parents how can they maximize their child’s progress while receiving therapy at RTS.   We have created a short list of strategies and ideas to help parents strengthen their partnership in the therapy process.

  • Be an active participant in the session! We welcome and encourage parent involvement in sessions.  It is also a great time for your child’s therapist to demonstrate intervention strategies which you can incorporate into daily routines.
  • Ask questions! Please do not shy-away from questions for fear that something is silly to ask.  We understand that the therapy process can be confusing at times, and welcome any and all questions that you may have.  The more information you have, the more knowledgeable you will be and the greater impact you will have as a partner in the process.
  • Regular attendance with sessions. Your child’s therapist has made specific recommendations for how often she needs to see him/her in order make progress with therapy goals.  Consistent attendance has a significant impact on progress.
  • Practice, practice, practice! Whether your child is seen in your home; at a daycare/preschool; or in our office, your child’s therapist will give you strategies and homework to practice until the next session.  Daily practice is an integral part of the therapy process.   Incorporate siblings and other family members into your “practice time” in order to encourage greater carryover of skills into daily routines.
Posted in Therapy Ideas | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Come Run, Walk, & Roll with RTS on May 14!

Posted on March 13, 2011 by admin

The 3rd annual Run, Walk, & Roll will take place on May 14, 2011 at Koka Booth Amphitheatre.  RTS is excited to be participants again in this wonderful event which benefits children with special needs, their families, and the providers who care for them.  We will be organizing a team to run, walk, & roll as well as hosting a table at the Resource Fair with fun games and prizes.  Please stop by and say hello if you are at the event!  Better yet, join our team and run, walk, & roll with us!

Event Details:

When: May 14, 2011; 8 am-12 pm

Where: Koka Booth Amphitheatre at Regency Park
8003 Regency Parkway
Cary, NC 27513

For more information, please visit:

www.telability.org

Posted in Events | Tagged | Leave a comment

Upcoming Events for Children and Families

Posted on March 12, 2011 by admin
SPECIAL EDUCATION OPEN HOUSE

Wake County Schools
Special Education information night for parents of children from Early Intervention through High School.  Sessions will include types of special education placement most appropriate for each child at all levels, and sessions for parents of children transitioning from Early Intervention to Preschool Services, as well as Preschool services transitioning to Kindergarten.
Registration begins at 6:30pm, sessions at 7pm.  For more information, please email Leslie Welch.

Where & When
Broughton High School
723 Saint Mary’s Street · Raleigh 27605
Thursday, March 17th 6:30 – 9pm
Meet & Greet Wake County Pubic Schools new Superintendent Anthony Tata

Hosted by The Arc of Wake County in collaboration with Triangle Down Syndrome Network and Wake County Autism Society

Questions for Superintendent Tata can be submitted
via email to admin@arcwake.org by March 18th.
Please include your name, question, and your telephone number. All questions will be considered- we will pick a variety of questions to pose to the Superintendent. You will be contacted if you will be asking your question at the event. Any questions not answered will be sent to the superintendent for review after the event.

Refreshments will be served.

Where & When
Marbles Kids Museum
201 E. Hargett Street, Raleigh, NC
Thursday, March 31
6:00 – 8:00 in the evening

Family Fun Night for Kids With Special Needs

This event is FREE!!

an evening of museum adventure for kids with special needs and their families. This after-hours event will allow the kids to experience the museum in a more calm, less crowded environment.

Where & When
Marbles Kids Museum
201 E. Hargett Street, Raleigh, NC
Thursday, April 14th
5:30 – 8:00 in the evening
Posted in Events | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Night Out…

Posted on March 12, 2011 by admin

Being a family-owned and operated business, we value time together as a team and consider our therapists and support staff to be a part of our family.   The RTS work- family recently had a night out at Wine and Design.  We enjoyed a fun night together of painting, chatting, and laughing.   Those who could not make it were missed that night!

Showing off our masterpieces!

Posted in RTS Team | Tagged , | Leave a comment

RTS Adovcates for Outpatient Specialized Therapies

Posted on March 12, 2011 by admin

Advocacy is an important part of our jobs.  We spend a lot of time educating parents, teachers, grandparents, siblings, lawmakers, etc. about the importance of speech, physical, and occupational therapy.  RTS therapists advocate for our patients and their families every day!

We are also involved with advocacy at the state level and frequently meet with lawmakers about the importance of the services we provide.  We believe in what we do, and we believe that our services make such a vital impact in the lives of children and families who are recipients.

Recently, Allison Crumpler, SLP, was asked to speak at a press conference at the Legislative Building about the importance of speech-language pathology services in the state of North Carolina.  Allison told lawmakers that providing these services saves jobs and tax dollars.

“Without the power to communicate and/or swallow, these children will lead less healthy, less full lives – and many will become a burden on state government. We must pay for these vital services now or we will all pay for it later,” she said. “Furthermore, a reduction in speech therapy services would undermine thousands of jobs in North Carolina.” she said.

Allison Crumpler, SLP, urging lawmakers to invest in the future of North Carolina by protecting vital services such as speech therapy.

______________________________________________________________________________

On Friday, March 11, Vicki Dailey, SLP/President of Raleigh Therapy Services, Inc. and Jeri Bates, VP/COO of SpeechCenter, Inc. met for 90 minutes with Health and Human Services Appropriations Co-Chairmen, Representatives Justin Burr and Nelson Dollar.  Vicki and Jeri talked with Reps. Burr and Dollar, on behalf of the North Carolina Speech Hearing and Language Association, to inform them that NC’s Outpatient Specialized Therapy Program is a well managed program which provides medically necessary services in a fiscally responsible way.  Vicki and Jeri are both grateful for the opportunity to meet with these Representatives and appreciate their time and consideration of Outpatient Specialized Therapies as the Legislators continue to craft the State’s budget.

Posted in Advocacy | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment