What Does Each Therapist Do?

This weekend I have talked to two people who asked me, “What does each of your children’s therapists do?” Since my children see many therapists, I thought I would write about each one.

1.      Speech Language Pathologist (SLP) or Speech Therapist provides evaluations and works with many different delays and disorders. Some include dysphagia (swallowing for drinking/ eating), feeding, oral motor, auditory processing, fluency, stuttering, lisp, expressive language, receptive language, social language, and articulation. They do x- rays for swallow studies to recommend strategies for better feeding, and they assess and identify developmental delays and disorders.

 

2.      Occupational Therapist (OT) help people perform everyday tasks and improve the function of the nervous system. For children, some everyday tasks that are worked on by an OT include: playing, eating, dressing, socializing, writing, and toileting. They help children with body awareness, coordination, motor skills, visual perception, self regulation, and reaction to sensory stimulus. An OT asses and identifies developmental delays and disorders. The parent is also included in the assessment (by filling out a sensory profile).

 

3.      Physical Therapist (PT) helps people with strength, flexibility, balance, posture, coordination, mobility, and endurance. They aid a person in learning how to move better and relieve pain. A PT provides examinations and evaluations to asses and identify developmental delays, disorders, and health problems. They also create treatment or rehabilitation plans to monitor and assess progress.

 

4.      Behavioral Therapist (Psychiatrist, Psychologist, Psychotherapist, ABA therapist, CD therapist) helps people modify or change behavior. They work with people who have anxiety, mood disorders, and mental disorders. They modify or change behavior through role play, discussions, social stories, relaxation techniques, journal writing, and social skill groups. Depending upon the individual’s needs, medication might also be prescribed by a psychiatrist.

 

5.      Animal Assisted Therapist helps people improve mental, physical, social, and emotional well being with animals (such as: horse, dog, cat, dolphin).  An AAT works on motor skills, balance, focus/ attention, self control, problem solving, communication, and social skills. They use animals as teaching aids, and to encourage movement and social interactions.