Your child's healthy development is our priority. When your child needs physical therapy, occupational therapy or speech therapy, pediatric therapists at Ascension Illinois are here for your child and family. Each appointment starts with a conversation about your child. Tell us your concerns and ask us your questions. By getting to know your child and family, we create a personalized care plan. Together, you and your child’s care team set short-term and long-term goals for your child.
At Ascension Illinois, your child will have an entire team dedicated to their care. Their care team may include a:
- Audiologist
- Occupational therapist
- Physical therapist
- Speech therapist
- Other pediatric specialists
Pediatric speech therapy
Our speech-language pathologists, also known as speech therapists, specialize in diagnosing and treating children with speech, language and swallowing disorders, such as:
- Apraxia (difficulty with lip, jaw and tongue movement)
- Articulation
- Cleft lip and cleft palate
- Dysphagia (trouble swallowing)
- Lisping
- Muteness (refusing or being unable to speak)
- Speech delays
- Stuttering
Children may work with a speech therapist once a week or a few times a week. How often your child will go to speech therapy depends on their specific needs and if they are seeing a speech therapist at school. The therapists work to increase your child’s ability to meet their needs with skills such as making requests and commenting on their surroundings, understanding simple directions and questions, and speaking clearly in order to be understood by others. We also set goals that help increase your child’s confidence while communicating.
Pediatric physical therapy
Pediatric physical therapists at Ascension Illinois specialize in helping children improve their gross motor skills which include posture, core strengthening, balance, and coordination. We provide therapy for children with injuries and conditions such as:
- Cerebral palsy
- Developmental delays
- Down syndrome
- Muscular dystrophy
- Muscle stiffness
- Orthopedic injuries
- Prematurity
- Spina bifida
- Stroke
Your child will meet with their physical therapist weekly or a few times a week, depending on their needs. By using personalized stretches and exercises, we help your child improve their mobility and quality of life.
Pediatric occupational therapy
Your child’s pediatric occupational therapist helps your child become more independent in their daily activities. They work with you and your child to assess fine motor skills, balance, coordination, visual motor and perception skills, attention, sensory processing and more. They also identify deficits in skills that affect participation in daily activities, such as writing, cutting, dressing, grooming, feeding, play and more.
Pediatric occupational therapists provide therapy for children with conditions such as:
- Autism spectrum disorder
- Behavioral concerns
- Birth anomalies
- Cerebral palsy
- Developmental delays
- Injuries
- Post-surgery recovery
- Sensory processing disorders
- Social skills at school, play and in the community
- Spina bifida
If your child needs specialized equipment such as a wheelchair or bathing equipment, we can help. Occupational therapists can evaluate your child to provide equipment that fits their needs. We show your child and family how to properly use these devices. Our goal is to support your child’s development and help your child gain independence.
Refer a patient to a pediatric specialist
Your patients and their families can expect compassionate, personalized care from the moment our specialists connect with them. Our pediatric specialists start by listening to fully understand their needs and develop an individualized care plan. To make a doctor referral, please call 773-990-5181.
