Outpatient Therapy

The Hope Learning Center offers a team of specialists that will complete an initial evaluation with your child in order to develop an individualized, strengths-based treatment plan. The necessity and frequency of therapy is based on the child's needs and is determined by the results of the evaluation. Outpatient therapy will address goals related to medical necessity and the cost is typically covered by most major medical insurance companies.

Parent involvement is crucial for your child's progress, and participation in your child's therapy session is encouraged. Parents can observe their child's session through a one way observation window, and then meet with the therapist after the therapy session to discuss progress. The therapist will also provide you with suggestions to ensure your child's generalization of newly acquired skills to the home environment.

The Hope Learning Center is currently contracted with the following insurance carriers including Medical Assistance:

• Highmark • Keystone Health Plan West • Maxor • TriCare • Aetna • Cigna

• United Healthcare • UPMC • Gateway Health Plan • MedPLUS+ • CHIP

The Hope Learning Center offers a wide range of assessments for children and adolescents. Assessments offered include:

The Verbal Behavior Milestones Assessment and Placement Program (The VB-MAPP) is a criterion-referenced assessment tool, curriculum guide, and skill tracking system that is designed for children with autism and other individuals who demonstrate language delays. The overall results of the VB-MAPP will provide valuable information that will serve as a guide for the development of an effective individualized language, social skills and learning curriculum.

The Assessment of Basic Language and Learning Skills (The ABLLS™) is an assessment, curriculum guide, and skills tracking system for assessing skills in children with language and learning deficits. The ABLLS is most commonly used to develop a comprehensive behavioral program for children with autism spectrum disorders.

The Functional Behavioral Assessment (FBA) is generally considered to be a problem-solving process for addressing student problem behavior. It relies on a variety of techniques and strategies to identify the purposes of specific behavior and to help IEP teams select interventions to directly address the problem behavior. Functional behavioral assessments should be integrated, as appropriate, throughout the process of developing, reviewing, and, if necessary, revising a student’s IEP.

We also offer assessments for:

Expressive and Receptive Language
Articulation
Fluency
Pragmatics
Assistive Technology (AAC devices)
Fine Motor Skills
Sensory Profiles
Feeding and utensil use
Balance
Coordination
Strength and tone of muscles

Speech Therapy

Speech therapy is a therapy that is utilized to teach communication skills.The goal of speech therapy is to improve all aspects of communication.

The National Research Council has identified 4 aspects of beneficial speech therapy:

Speech therapy should begin early in a child’s life and be frequent.
Therapy should be rooted in practical experience in the child’s life.
Therapy should encourage spontaneous communication.
Any communication skills learned during speech therapy should be generalizable to multiple situations.

At The Hope Learning Center, we are committed to establishing a strengths based approach in developing individualized treatment goals to enhance each child’s communication skills.

Speech Disorders and 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.

Speech disorders include:

Articulation disorders: difficulties producing sounds in syllables or saying words incorrectly to the point that listeners can't understand what's being said.
Fluency disorders: problems such as stuttering, in which the flow of speech is interrupted by abnormal stoppages, repetitions (st-st-stuttering), or prolonging sounds and syllables (ssssstuttering).
Resonance or voice disorders: problems with the pitch, volume, or quality of the voice that distract listeners from what's being said. These types of disorders may also cause pain or discomfort for a child when speaking.
Dysphagia/oral feeding disorders: these include difficulties with drooling, eating, and swallowing.

Language disorders can be either receptive or expressive:

Receptive disorders: difficulties understanding or processing language.
Expressive disorders: difficulty putting words together, limited vocabulary, or inability to use language in a socially appropriate way.

Occupational Therapy

Occupational Therapy (OT) is a therapy that focuses on improving the development of fine and gross motor skills, sensory integration skills, and daily living skills. The goal of Occupational Therapy is help children achieve competence in all areas of their lives including self-help, play, socialization, and communication.

Occupational Therapy services include:

Daily Living Skills
Play Skills
Motor Skills
Anger Management
Hand – Eye Coordination
Sensory Integration

Physical Therapy

Physical Therapy (PT) is a therapy that specializes in the improvement of developing motor skills, with an emphasis on gross motor skills.

Physical Therapy addresses many areas including:

Developmental Delays
Coordination
Motor Skills
Balance/Coordination
Flexibility
Strength and Endurance
Posture
Gait
Neuromuscular Function
Musculoskeletal Conditions

Report abuse