Terms and Definitions

Occupational Therapy: Occupations are meaningful, functional activities that are participated in daily life. Occupational therapy is dedicated to helping children develop all the abilities they need for many “occupations” of childhood, including playing with friends, studying, helping at home, eating, taking care of pets, getting dressed, and participating in hobbies and sports. The areas assessed in occupational therapy include, however are not limited to, fine motor skills, visual-perceptual skills, gross motor skills, motor planning and emotional regulation. Our training and expertise in sensory processing (Sensory Integration), the DIR™ treatment model, as well as motor control (Neurodevelopmental Treatment and TAMO) allows us to comprehensively look at the “big picture” in relationship to identifying the challenges that pervasively impact function throughout all domains. We help children reach developmental milestones so that they can lead independent and successful lives.

Physical Therapy: Physical Therapists identify children’s unique needs and problem areas to improve growth and development. Physical therapy can be used to address the areas of strength, balance, coordination, motor planning, range of motion and endurance. Integrating multiple components into treatment allows physical therapists to achieve age-appropriate functional skills to improve performance in school, home, and community environments.

Speech Therapy: Speech-language therapy is the treatment for most kids with speech and/or language disorders. A speech disorder refers to a problem with the actual production of sounds, whereas a language disorder refers to a difficulty understanding or putting words together to communicate ideas. Our state licensed speech and language pathologists offer traditional speech and language therapy in the areas of articulation, language, voice, and fluency. Additional specialized training, through continuing education and training in Neurodevelopmental Treatment, enables Movement Matters to provide services to individuals with more complicated speech and language issues, utilizing a multi-disciplinary team approach.

Parent Workshops: Parent workshops are created to help parents understand their children's therapies and needs, as well as to maintain a strong line of communication between therapists and parents.

Early Intervention Benefits: Early Intervention programs focus on children’s growth and reaching developmental milestones. Children are eligible for the Early Intervention Program if they are under three years old and experiencing developmental delays in gross motor, fine motor, self-care, and or social interactions skills. They are also eligible if they have a disability with a risk of resulting in developmental delays in these areas. A disability or disorder is a diagnosis with a physical, medical, cognitive or psychological condition which typically results in delayed achievement of developmental milestones. For more information see the New York State Early Intervention website, including statutes and application for the Early Intervention program.