Facts about Autism

With an increasing number of individuals being diagnosed with Autism, many people have heard of the disorder, but may not fully understand what it actually is. Autism is a developmental disorder that impacts the social, communication, and motor skills of an individual. Those people with Autism may have difficulty expressing themselves and communicating with others. While some of these individuals may be extremely intelligent with high IQs, others may suffer from mental disabilities. Some with Autism may speak, while others can be silent. The autism spectrum is fairly wide, and patients with Autism may fall anywhere on this spectrum with varying symptoms.
Historically, Autism has probably been around for over a century, but wasn’t recognized as such until more recently. In the past, Autism was confused with schizophrenia, which is another mental disorder. Professionals also believed that there was only one cause for Autism, which we now know that there isn’t only one cause and there are varying degrees of the disorder.Some autistic children are extremely bright and gifted while suffering from social disabilities, while other autistic children may not be mentally able to understand basic concepts. In 1912, a Swiss psychiatrist named Eugene Bleuler began noticing a pattern in schizophrenic patients who were self-absorbed. He referred to this condition as Autism. Although Bleuler was the first to use this specific term, he was not the first to recognize Autism as a separate disorder from schizophrenia. Child psychologist Leo Kanner first recognized Autism as an independent mental disorder and noted common symptoms in a group of 11 children. These common symptoms included good memory, social interaction problems, food problems, over sensitivity to stimulants such as sound, delayed echolalia, displaying anguish over change, intellectual potential, and difficulty with spontaneity. In 1944, Hans Asperger, an Austrian pediatrician discovered Asperger Syndrome, which is a specific type of high functioning Autism. He studied children who spoke intelligently but differed from average children with clumsy motor skills. It wasn’t until the 1980’s that Autism research boomed and researchers found that Autism develops most commonly to neurological disturbances combined with other genetic factors and metabolic disturbances.
Studies have shown that boys are more at risk than girls for developing Autism, and a child who has a twin with Autism will most likely develop symptoms of Autism and fall somewhere on the Autism spectrum. Autism has numerous symptoms which provide different reactions in each patient. Patients can have the same symptoms in different degrees, which makes it difficult to predict if an individual’s symptoms will be mild or severe. Doctors can usually diagnose Autism at age two, however some infants can show signs earlier on. A big indication for Autism is when a child isn’t developing or reaching milestones at the appropriate ages. Developmental delays indicate there may be a problem that needs further examination by a doctor. Children who are not speaking or socializing by age two should be tested for Autism. Children who have tested positive for Autism can begin treatment right away and learn how to adapt with this disorder. Parental support and encouragement is extremely important in helping the child improve functionality in their daily lives.

MedCare Pediatric Group

12371 S Kirkwood Rd

Stafford, TX 77477

(713) 773-5100

http://www.medcarepediatric.com

What is Cerebral Palsy?

Cerebral Palsy is a disease caused by problems that occur while an infant is still in utero, or from harm caused during birth. Those who suffer from cerebral palsy have problems with their muscle mass control, activity, and may pose a threat of damage to the brain. Cerebral Palsy can be detected early on, however more symptoms will appear as the child begins to develop. Cerebral Palsy is not a dynamic condition and will not gradually get worse. This is beneficial for doctors to make predictions and discover adequate treatments as development occurs. Doctors will be able to determine the child’s capabilities in life as they watch them develop.
When the mind fails to develop correctly, or is damaged at birth the result is Cerebral Palsy. Even though the muscle mass is affected, the problem does not actually lie with the muscle mass itself. The word cerebral refers to the mind, and palsy means a weak point in the muscle mass. Many people do not fully understand this disease, which is surprising because about one in every 300 children have been detected with Cerebral Palsy. A better understanding of this life-long disease can help provide a better future for children suffering from Cerebral Palsy and help them reach their greatest potential in life.
One form of Cerebral Palsy is referred to as Spastic Cerebral Palsy. This type of CP is present in about 80 percent of patients. This type directly affects the joints and muscles, and causes stiffness in the muscles. Spastic CP is categorized by the areas of the body it affects. When it affects both legs and arms it is referred to as Diplegia. If only on climb is affected it is cold Monoplegia. Monoplegia is an extremely rare form of Spastic Cerebral Palsy. When only one side of the body is affected it is called Hemiplegia. Triplegia affects the movement of three limbs, while quadriplegia affects all four of the individual’s limbs. CT scan and MRIs can be performed after an infant is born to determine if a child has Cerebral Palsy. You should see a doctor if you notice your child is developmentally delayed or has abnormal muscle tone.
Children who have been diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy may additionally suffer from behavioral and psychological issues. Unique therapies, including behavior alteration organized programs and household therapy can assist with these problems. Until age one to one and a half, children do not prefer to use one hand over the other. in cases where children have a problem using one hand, this would be present prior to age one. This rule also applies for children with Cerebral Palsy. They will have an inclination to use one side of their body and may crawl cooked, or lean heavily on one leg while going up and down the stairs. If the child continues to get worse, Cerebral Palsy may not be the problem as the disease does not get progress. Children with CP may need extra help learning how to talk and walk because of their muscle control problems. Walkers and other mobility devices and tools can help children with CP walk more efficiently.

MedCare Pediatric Group

12371 S Kirkwood Rd

Stafford, TX 77477

(713) 773-5100

http://www.medcarepediatric.com

How to Help your Child with Cerebral Palsy (CP)

Infants can develop cerebral palsy while still in utero or throughout the birthing process. Cerebral palsy happens when damage to the human brain affects activity, muscle mass or posture. A doctor should be able to detect cerebral palsy early on as the child develops and various signs appear. Cerebral palsy is not classified as a dynamic condition, and it does not worsen throughout life. Because it does not get worse, doctors can determine anticipated capabilities for the individual later in life. Doctor can also decide which treatments would work best based on certain developments in the condition. The main factors affected by cerebral palsy or CP are muscle mass control and body language. Cerebral palsy affects muscle mass not due to the nerves or muscle itself, but because of the failure of the brain to develop fully or because of damage to it before, during or after birth.
Around one in 300 infants are diagnosed with cerebral palsy, and many people would be able to recognize physical symptoms of the disease. While the disease isn’t rare, most people do not understand it completely. Public understanding can help children who have cerebral palsy receive proper treatment and reach their full potential. Better understanding will contribute to a more sensitive society in which those affected with CP can thrive.
Many children with cerebral palsy can also develop behavior or psychological problems. These problems may require treatment including behavior alteration and household therapy. These types of treatment are typically organized programs that help to alter habits. For example, until between 12 and 18 months old, children use both hands without a specific preference. If a child is showing signs of using one hand over another before this point, it can mean that they may be having trouble using the other hand. The same is true for a child who only uses one side of their body. Signs for using one side of the body appear as crooked crawling. or only using one specific leg when climbing stairs. A clinical examination will be able to pinpoint if the reason for these symptoms is due to cerebral palsy.
There are different levels of cerebral palsy which is due to damage to a several places of the brain. Some children with CP may have motion problems that are hard to recognize or barely noticeable, while others may have extremely serious issues. Children with serious muscle control problems can also have trouble learning how to speak. Depending on the severity of the type of cerebral palsy, the child may require the use of a walker or wheelchair to move around. While this disease can be hard to deal with, do not be discouraged. It’s important to develop a plan of action for treatment and therapy to address the issues specific to the child. Whether it be dealing with hearing or speaking inabilities, or learning how to use both hands there are a variety of programs and treatments available.

MedCare Pediatric Group

12371 S Kirkwood Rd

Stafford, TX 77477

(713) 773-5100

http://www.medcarepediatric.com

Autism and Music Therapy

An increasing number of children are being diagnosed with Autism and fall somewhere on the Autism spectrum. With a growing number of children dealing with this disorder, many different forms of treatment have become available. Traditional therapy for Autism includes floor time and applied behavior analysis. Alternative treatments are also available. Not all alternative treatments are credible and many have not had as much research conducted on them as traditional methods. However, some of these unique therapies may actually help a lot. One such alternative treatment for Autism is music therapy. Using music therapy to treat Autism is becoming increasingly popular.
Music therapy has shown to be helpful for many symptoms of Autism. Music can connect with some children with this disorder in a way that no other therapies have been able to do. For example, some Autistic children who do not speak may connect and respond to music. Music is an excellent treatment for children with Autism because it is composed of patterns. Autistic children respond well to patterns and rhythm which they can feel. A different part of the brain is used with music than the part used for verbal communication. They also do not have to try too hard to interpret music, and it may help them express emotions that they would otherwise not be able to release.
One advantage of using music as a treatment for Autism is that it does not require any verbal skills. Verbal skills can be a challenge for children with Autism and activities that require verbal skills may discourage them from trying. Children can shake cymbals, beat on a drum, play with the keys on a piano, or ring a bell, without actually needing to speak. They will begin to use music and different sounds to actually communicate with others. Music therapy doesn’t necessarily mean learning to play a specific instrument. Instead, music therapy creates experiences for children through the use of tools, knowledge, and instruments, in which they feel comfortable and can express creativity using their own abilities.
Other advantages to using music as a treatment for children with autism are that it can help them maintain attention. It fosters motivation and engagement. Some activities may be difficult for children with Autism because they cannot hold their attention for long periods of time or they become distracted. Music is fun and creates a lot of feelings. The child will want to participate and respond because they feel comfortable with this type of communication. Music is a universal language which is great for those unable to communicate through normal conversation. It also gives children a way to express their emotions. Sometimes children with Autism have a difficult time identifying and getting out their emotions. Without the use of music, they might not otherwise be able to release these built up emotions. Finally, music can bring great pleasure to most people, not just Autistic people. Music has been shown to reduce anxiety and bring a sense of calming security. This can be very beneficial to children with Autism as well and help put them at ease.

MedCare Pediatric Group

12371 S Kirkwood Rd

Stafford, TX 77477

(713) 773-5100

http://www.medcarepediatric.com

Sensory Integration Disorder

In today’s world of advanced medical research and studies, there are several disorders that many children deal with. Sensory Integration Disorder or SID is one of the many disorders children can suffer from. SID is often mistaken for bad behavior or psychological issues. Sensory integration is extremely important for normal behavior and learning. Sensory Integration Disorder was discovered about 40 years ago and is just beginning to be discussed and identified more regularly.

Each of the five senses submit information to the brain, when a child cannot determine where exactly this information is coming from, they have Sensory Integration Disorder. A child struggling with SID receives mixed signals. Children and adults with normal sensory integration will be able to determine if they are receiving information to the brain from something they are seeing (eyes) or hearing (ears) and associate the sense with the function of the part of the body. with SID the brain cannot interpret the origin of the signal. One benefit for children suffering with SID is nuerofeedback. Neurofeedback teaches the brain how to accurately identify where the signals to the brain are coming from. The brain can learn how to interpret sensory information.
There are several toys available on the market to help children with sensory integration disorder. Toys are a great way to help children learn and cope with their issues. Moon sand is one of the top rated toys for children with SID. Moon sand is an excellent toy as it does not dry out and is soft and comfortable to touch. it comes in a variety of colors and is safe to use multiple times. Many kids with SID are afraid to touch things, and moon sand is a great tool to help with this fear.

Another beneficial toy for helping children with sensory integration disorder is a ball. Kiosk balls can help with the development of motor skills or to handle stress. Even small children can handle these types of balls as they are easy to grasp with tiny hands. Kiosk balls are very soft and made of natural latex rubber. Sensory balls are larger than kiosk balls, but not as soft. They are great for bouncing. Sensory balls have a unique texture and can be used for a variety of games including juggling and catch.

Finally, Perplexus is a great option for children who could benefit from using a toy with their hands but do not want a ball. Perplexus is a sphere with a puzzle inside that is solved by flipping and turning over the sphere. Perplexus spheres come in a variety of different puzzles that range in difficulty. These toys are great in helping children with sensory integration disorder because they help them develop motor skills, hand eye coordination, and dexterity.

MedCare Pediatric Group

12371 S Kirkwood Rd

Stafford, TX 77477

(713) 773-5100

http://www.medcarepediatric.com

Stafford Pediatric Physical Therapy And Skilled Nursing

If you are the parent of a child or young adult who is chronically ill we want to make sure you fully understand all that our private duty nursing staff can offer you and your family.  Care for children with special medical needs often includes around the clock care for essential needs supporting life. Whether your child requires a feeding tube or ventilator care our private duty nurses are dedicated to making life easier for you. We understand that each child has their own set of medical needs and personal sensitivities. Our goal is to provide the professional care your child needs with our trained RN’s and other nursing professionals.

 

 

 

 

Many children with special medical needs require professional care in every setting at home or in school. This includes specialized pediatric physical therapy Stafford skilled experts provide. Our private duty nurses work in shifts in order to meet the daily needs that your child requires to have the best quality of life. Our nurses are highly qualified and have the experience required to address every need with compassion and efficiency. Our nurses complete any required specialized training for your home situation in order to ensure your child gets only the best care.

 

 

 

 

Specialized competency requirements are met for those with unique needs including dependence on a ventilator or other respiratory therapies. Competency is established through regular training and improved medical procedures according to best practices. This includes training required for physical therapy needs. Additional training and further education is provided within the home in order to be certain that all private nursing staff working with your child is familiar with the equipment and able to manage any complications. We strive to make sure that families become comfortable enough with our private duty nursing staff that a relationship of total confidence and trust can be established and maintained over time. We understand how vulnerable your child is and our private nurses are dedicated to meeting all their medical needs. Private duty nurses also have the time to get to know the personality of your child which goes a long way to establishing that relationship of trust and rapport.

 

 

 

 

We provide private personalized care with routine schedules that are designed to meet the need of your child. Our private nurses are able to provide the care you need in your home in order to bring you some respite. No single person can be on call 24 hours a day. You owe it to the long-term health of yourself and your family to learn all you can about our private nursing services and personalized physical therapy. We are here to better understand your concerns and offer any support we can. Our nurses can also help to educate other family members who may be involved with the long term care of your child. It is amazing how much easier it is to spend time enjoying family and friends when more people in your environment are aware of how to care for some of your child’s basic medical needs.Contact our team of professional and caring private nurses to discover all we have to offer you and your child with special needs. We are happy to answer any questions and discuss any concerns in order to best serve your child’s medical needs.

 

Best Pediatric Occupational Therapy In Stafford

When it comes to the development of fine motor skills we work hard to ensure that your child is making the best possible progress. Fine motor skills lead to greater independent living skills. What do we mean by fine motor skills anyway? In essence we as Occupational Therapists are trained to focus on the improved coordination of the smaller muscles in the upper body. Controlled movements related to the hands and fingers are central to many essential life skills. We work on the skills required to eat with a fork or spoon, write with any kind of utensil, fasten any kind of button, tie shoes or open doors.

 

 

 

 

Lagging in fine motor skill development stems from insufficient hand strength and weak overall coordination of motor skills. Depending on early child hood experiences fine motor skills can vary greatly for preschool aged children. For example if a child is able to engage in activities that promote learning how to cut with scissors that child can successfully cut a strip of paper as a toddler. Different levels of capability and various limitations of experience in early childhood can create significant fine motor skill delays. Pediatric Occupational Therapy Stafford professionals understand that development of these skills is often accomplished at an irregular rate. It is also true that there is a well-defined process requiring base skills in order to progress into more complex fine motor skill development.

 

 

 

 

Our well-trained and experienced Occupational Therapy team knows how to teach those skills and build on the learning in order to develop optimal fine motor skills.  There are general age ranges where most children are able and should be encouraged to perform certain tasks. These tasks associated with fine motor skills include things such as drawing lines with a crayon held with the fingers and not in a fist. At a very young age such as two years old a child who has had experience and practice can take off and put on shoes and eat properly with a spoon. These activities can be encouraged at home. With practice, consistent expectations and patience skills can be established at an early age establishing the strongest fine motor skill baseline possible.

 

 

 

 

Even playing games can help developing these skills. You may play many of these kinds of things with your child already. For example, building with blocks or stringing beads is something that a toddler can enjoy while strengthening fine motor skill muscles at the same time. The long-term goal with these types of games is to work towards helping your child be able to dress and eat independently. Being as capable as possible builds self-esteem and that confidence provides the best platform for motivation to learn more skills. Delays can often be successfully addressed and redirected Occupational Therapy. If you are concerned about any fine motor skill developmental delays you can consult with our OT Specialists. The Occupational Therapist understands the basic benchmarks to be expected for the age and developmental stage of your child. The OT Professional can help you set realistic and attainable fine motor skill goals for your child. The right practice can be fun and rewarding both for the child and for the family.

Stafford Texas Speech Therapy Using Creative Approach

Our pediatric Speech Therapists understand the power behind using the very best interactive games in order to optimize both language and social development. It is natural for a child to enjoy interacting with the family during a fun board game and not even realize it is speech therapy.  A well-designed game is a fun way for your child to learn those vital speech skills without feeling like they are working at all. There are countless games that focus on many social skills while improving language and speech at the same time.  If you think about it a game requires skills such as story telling, taking turns, drawing conclusions and expressing or appreciating humor.

 

 

 

 

 

One great thing about a well-designed game is that the learning comes so naturally within the family setting at home.  For example, there are games intended for those children who are just beginning to learn how to play. These games will be designed in a way that does not require too much in the area of speech therapy. These games are designed with the goals of basic cooperative play including improvement of attention skills. Essentially the games at this level can promote improved understanding of cause and effect while basic vocabulary is introduced and reinforced in a fun, rewarding way. These games may also be the type that introduces the basic concepts associated with shapes, numbers and letters.

 

 

 

 

 

Another level of games can add onto the idea of taking turns and improved social skills by adding on more dimensions of thinking and learning to the game. These games can include more storytelling opportunities or word game play. Often these games are more complex, which invites the concept of following established rules. Following directions is an important social skill when it comes to playing games.  Some popular games include the Cranium games such as “Hullabaloo”, “Scattegories” and “I Spy.”

 

 

 

 

 

Some popular games such as “The Cat In The Hat, I Can DO That!” build confidence as your child learns that they can have fun while building essential language and social skills for life.

 

 

 

 

 

There are many games that are great for social and language skill development. Our Speech Therapy Stafford professionals would be happy to provide you with a list of the best games suited to the developmental needs of your child. Who does not love a good night of playing games with the family? You might as well make the most of your time together at home and reinforce those vital speech skills while laughing and making fun memories. Too many people have the misconception that all learning must be done in a stale, controlled environment. The truth is that social and speech learning most often is learned best through the creative implantation of structured fun and games. In order to make the most of this type of speech therapy play invest in the best games on the market today and enjoy the bonding time as you play those favorites over and over again. Feel free to meet with our experts who know the best options for language development for your child.

Gamifying Speech Therapy in Stafford Texas

Our pediatric Speech Therapists in Stafford, TX understand the power behind using the very best interactive games in order to optimize both language and social development. It is natural for a child to enjoy interacting with the family during a fun board game. A well-designed game is a fun way for your child to learn those vital speech skills without feeling like they are working at all. There are countless games that focus on many social skills while improving language and speech at the same time.  If you think about it a game requires skills such as story telling, taking turns, drawing conclusions and expressing or appreciating humor.

One great thing about a well-designed game is that the learning comes so naturally within the family setting at home.  For example, there are games intended for those children who are just beginning to learn how to play. These games will be designed in a way that does not require too much in the area of speech and language skills. These speech therapy games are designed with the goals of basic cooperative play including improvement of attention skills. Essentially the games at this level can promote improved understanding of cause and effect while basic vocabulary is introduced and reinforced in a fun, rewarding way. These games may also be the type that introduces the basic concepts associated with shapes, numbers and letters.

Another level of games can add onto the idea of taking turns and improved social skills by adding on more dimensions of thinking and learning to the game. The speech therapy Stafford, Tx team has been using these types of games that are both fun for the children and teach important skills.  These games can include more storytelling opportunities or word game play. Often these games are more complex, which invites the concept of following established rules. Following directions is an important social skill when it comes to playing games.  Some popular games include the Cranium games such as “ Hullabaloo”, “Scattegories” and “I Spy.”

Some popular games such as “The Cat In The Hat, I Can DO That!” build confidence as your child learns that they can have fun while building essential language and social skills for life.

There are many speech therapy games that are great for social and language skill development. Our Speech Therapists would be happy to provide you with a list of the best games suited to the developmental needs of your child. Who does not love a good night of playing games with the family? You might as well make the most of your time together at home and reinforce those vital speech skills while laughing and making fun memories. Too many people have the misconception that all learning must be done in a stale, controlled environment. The truth is that social and speech learning most often is learned best through the creative implantation of structured fun and games. In order to make the most of this type of play invest in the best games on the market today and enjoy the bonding time as you play those favorites over and over again. Feel free to meet with our experts who know the best options for language development for your child.

About Medcare Pediatrics

MedCare Pediatric Group offers pediatric occupational therapy, speech therapy, physical therapy, and nursing services in your home or at our outpatient clinic in Stafford, TX. Our team of experienced and reputable therapists is ready to help children with their sensory, cognitive, physical, and language issues. MedCare also provides aquatic physical therapy at our Stafford clinic. Aquatic therapy is a specialized treatment method that is conducted in a safe and controlled water environment. Allow us to help your child reach his/her full potential with our pediatric physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, rehab and home care services in Stafford.

MedCare Pediatric Group
12371 S Kirkwood Rd
Stafford, TX 77477
(713) 773-5100
http://www.medcarepediatric.com/

Children Deserve High-Quality Pediatric Home Care Nursing in Houston

Access to the best possible care is of the utmost importance for children, particularly those with special needs. However, for numerous families across the country, this is a challenge because health insurance coverage provides obstacles. Sometimes, even when Marketplace health insurance plans are in place, the best possible pediatric home care nursing may not be available.

The Need for Home Care

The good news is, though, more and more insurance carriers understand the need for pediatric home care nursing from Houston providers and a family’s need for this coverage. Receiving high-quality treatments may require a hospital referral, however, to obtain adequate coverage.
http://www.medcarepediatric.com/children-deserve-high-quality-pediatric-home-care-nursing-in-houston/