Therapy Services Overview
At AVCTC, our goal is to provide every child with an individualized experience to best serve his or her unique needs. The therapeutic journey begins with an evaluation tailored to the concerns of the family, teachers, pediatricians, and/or child themselves. Through standardized testing, observations, and/or parent or professional report we assess your child’s current level of functioning and determine their specific areas of difficulty.
We evaluate and treat the following areas
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SELF REGULATION
Different activities in a child’s day-to-day routine will evoke varied responses. A fast-paced game of tag evokes a different level of arousal than waiting in line listening for instructions. Some children are unable to regulate their responses between activities and have difficulty transitioning from one task to the next. Learning to regulate their level of arousal from activity to activity helps children to become more attentive and better focused. SENSORY PROCESSING Children gather information through seven senses. The five commonly known senses are: visual (sight), auditory (sound), olfactory (smell), tactile (touch), and oral/gustatory (taste). The other two are vestibular (movement through an environment) and proprioceptive (position in an environment). How children process this information can effect concentration, organization, motor control, language, problem-solving, and other high-level learning skills. Occupational Therapists help children learn to process this information and react accordingly. SELF CARE Self care skills can include but are not limited to; eating, sleeping, dressing, toileting and bodily cleanliness. An Occupational Therapist works with the child and the child’s caregivers to help the child meet their self care needs. GROSS MOTOR SKILLS Gross motor skills involve the large muscles of the body that enable such motions as running, walking, throwing a ball, or climbing stairs. They also include jumping and balancing. |
FINE MOTOR SKILLS
Fine motor skills involve the small muscle movements that occur in the fingers, usually in coordination with the eyes. It enables you to perform self-care (buttoning, zipping, tying), writing and drawing. We work with school age children who have difficulty with handwriting in unique, fun ways to help them feel more confident. SOCIAL INTERACTION As part of our humanity, we attempt to avoid awkward social situations. For some children, this is not a natural process. These children must be taught the rules of social interaction to avoid being ostracized by their peers. Teaching these rules is best done by a combination of professionals such as mental health specialists, speech pathologists, teachers, parents and so on. Occupational Therapists are best suited to address social skills that involve self-regulation and problem-solving. EXECUTIVE FUNCTION In order to navigate through the day, children and adults use their executive function skills. Executive function is a set of mental processes that help connect previous experience with the present action. People use it to perform activities such as planning, organizing, attending to new information, remembering details, and managing time and space. As a child develops, there are different expectations for the acquisition and use of these skills at home and in the classroom. – The American Occupational Therapy Association, Inc. |
Services Offered at AVCTC
Evaluation
STANDARD EVALUATION
A standard evaluation consists of up to 2 hours direct assessment (primarily clinical observation) focusing on the areas indicated as a challenge, a 2-3 page summary of findings and a consultation call up to 30 minute to answer questions following the report.
COMPREHENSIVE EVALUATION
Our comprehensive evaluation consists of up to 4 hours of assessment including clinical observation and standardized assessments across all relevant domains, time required for scoring standardized assessments, an in-depth report (typically between 8-10 pages) outlining our findings and a consultation call up to 30 minute to answer questions following the report.
A standard evaluation consists of up to 2 hours direct assessment (primarily clinical observation) focusing on the areas indicated as a challenge, a 2-3 page summary of findings and a consultation call up to 30 minute to answer questions following the report.
COMPREHENSIVE EVALUATION
Our comprehensive evaluation consists of up to 4 hours of assessment including clinical observation and standardized assessments across all relevant domains, time required for scoring standardized assessments, an in-depth report (typically between 8-10 pages) outlining our findings and a consultation call up to 30 minute to answer questions following the report.
Treatments
Following our comprehensive evaluation, a formal report and feedback session will explain the results and findings. If appropriate, a therapy plan will be developed to target your child’s specific needs.
INDIVIDUAL THERAPY
AVCTC provides individual, one on one, treatment in order to meet each child where they are currently functioning. We use traditional therapy approaches as well as innovative, current treatments to provide the highest quality of care. Parent and/or caregiver involvement is highly encouraged to speed the rate of progress and provide carryover into the home environment.
GROUP THERAPY
When necessary and therapeutically beneficial, group treatment is available to target specific skills. Children are matched to the best of our ability based on age, personality, and therapy goals. NEW PROGRAM: Ready, Set School!
INTENSIVES
More and more research is pointing to the benefits of providing therapy with an intensive model. This is the child's opportunity to go beyond the traditional approach of 30-60 minutes of therapy a week to get the practice and the boost that they need to move ahead. Specifically, intensive therapy is provided on a concentrated basis in order to meet the desired goals of the child and family. Children are treated 3 to 5 times a week for a set, relatively short, time (20 to 40 sessions). With intensives, there will be a strong emphasis on parent education (it is recommended that 1 of every 5 or 6 sessions is parents only). If you are interested in learning more about our intensive therapy packages, please contact us.
CONSULTATION
As your child’s occupational therapist, it is important to advocate for their needs and function as a member of their team. At AVCTC, we encourage a multidisciplinary approach and will actively collaborate with other professionals to best serve your child. We are available for phone calls, team meetings, and school/day care observations.
INTEGRATED LISTENING SYSTEMS (iLs)
We sometimes use Integrated Listening Systems (iLs) Therapy to enhance a child's auditory processing and sensory motor abilities. Some children receive iLs during Occupational Therapy, but not every child is appropriate for iLs. Additionally, for some children we recommend iLs as a home program. At times we will recommend iLs simultaneously with OT or Speech Language Therapy if we feel that simultaneous listening and OT or SLP is the most efficient method of providing sensory input to optimize listening function. The goal of iLs therapy is to improve the neurophysiological foundation for integrating sensory input by using specific sound frequencies, vibrations and patterns to stimulate the brain. Listening therapy, like occupational therapy, is based on the theory of neuroplasticity, which refers to brain changes that can occur. iLs therapy, when not combined with OT, takes place in a small individual therapy room with pleasant lighting and décor that produce a calm, peaceful environment. During therapy, specific sound and vibration frequencies and patterns are delivered through specially designed headphones. To learn more about iLs you can go to their website.
INDIVIDUAL THERAPY
AVCTC provides individual, one on one, treatment in order to meet each child where they are currently functioning. We use traditional therapy approaches as well as innovative, current treatments to provide the highest quality of care. Parent and/or caregiver involvement is highly encouraged to speed the rate of progress and provide carryover into the home environment.
GROUP THERAPY
When necessary and therapeutically beneficial, group treatment is available to target specific skills. Children are matched to the best of our ability based on age, personality, and therapy goals. NEW PROGRAM: Ready, Set School!
INTENSIVES
More and more research is pointing to the benefits of providing therapy with an intensive model. This is the child's opportunity to go beyond the traditional approach of 30-60 minutes of therapy a week to get the practice and the boost that they need to move ahead. Specifically, intensive therapy is provided on a concentrated basis in order to meet the desired goals of the child and family. Children are treated 3 to 5 times a week for a set, relatively short, time (20 to 40 sessions). With intensives, there will be a strong emphasis on parent education (it is recommended that 1 of every 5 or 6 sessions is parents only). If you are interested in learning more about our intensive therapy packages, please contact us.
CONSULTATION
As your child’s occupational therapist, it is important to advocate for their needs and function as a member of their team. At AVCTC, we encourage a multidisciplinary approach and will actively collaborate with other professionals to best serve your child. We are available for phone calls, team meetings, and school/day care observations.
INTEGRATED LISTENING SYSTEMS (iLs)
We sometimes use Integrated Listening Systems (iLs) Therapy to enhance a child's auditory processing and sensory motor abilities. Some children receive iLs during Occupational Therapy, but not every child is appropriate for iLs. Additionally, for some children we recommend iLs as a home program. At times we will recommend iLs simultaneously with OT or Speech Language Therapy if we feel that simultaneous listening and OT or SLP is the most efficient method of providing sensory input to optimize listening function. The goal of iLs therapy is to improve the neurophysiological foundation for integrating sensory input by using specific sound frequencies, vibrations and patterns to stimulate the brain. Listening therapy, like occupational therapy, is based on the theory of neuroplasticity, which refers to brain changes that can occur. iLs therapy, when not combined with OT, takes place in a small individual therapy room with pleasant lighting and décor that produce a calm, peaceful environment. During therapy, specific sound and vibration frequencies and patterns are delivered through specially designed headphones. To learn more about iLs you can go to their website.
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CONTACT 408.601.0993 6501 Crown Blvd., Ste. 100A San Jose, CA 95120 |