Helping Children Reach Their Potential Through Outpatient Pediatric Rehabilitation

A preschooler struggling to express their wants and needs, a 5-year-old who will only eat a few foods and a 10-year-old who can’t keep up with his peers on the playground – what do these things all have in common? In each case, therapy could help the child overcome these challenges so they can participate fully and confidently in everyday activities.

Tyler Lawson is a speech-language pathologist and the manager of several outpatient rehabilitation offices at Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN), part of Jefferson Health, including the one at the Health Center at Pennsburg. She encourages parents to seek treatment sooner than later if they believe their child might be struggling with developmental milestones, or if they suspect a more serious underlying issue like autism.

“The first step is contacting your child's primary care physician to discuss any concerns and request a referral to speech, occupational, or physical therapy as appropriate,” Tyler says. “Early evaluation is extremely important.”

Research and clinical experience consistently show that when developmental concerns are identified early, children can begin receiving services sooner, which may significantly improve communication, social skills, learning, and overall development. “Early intervention gives children the best opportunity to build skills during critical periods of brain development,” Tyler says.

Preschoolers can improve their vocabulary and learn to express themselves better in speech therapy. The picky eater can work with an occupational therapist to explore tolerating more foods and the 10-year-old can build strength and balance in physical therapy. Specially trained occupational therapists can also administer the autism diagnostic observation schedule (ADOS), an important part of the process in autism diagnosis.

ADOS is a standardized assessment used as part of an autism evaluation. It is available at the Health Center at Pennsburg and many other LVHN rehabilitation locations. 

During the assessment, a specially trained clinician engages the child in structured play, conversation, and activities while observing communication, social interaction, behavior patterns, and play skills. The activities are tailored to your child's age and communication level. The assessment findings and clinical interpretation are shared with your child's physician and are considered alongside developmental history, clinical observations, and other evaluation results as part of the autism diagnostic process.

A complete diagnosis of autism may include:

• Input from parents, caregivers, and teachers 
• Medical and developmental assessment by a qualified clinician
• Review of developmental history and family concerns
• Review of therapy, school, and medical records
• Standardized testing and questionnaires

Shelley Spence is the director of outpatient rehabilitation at LVHN. She notes that while occupational therapists can offer this developmental assessment, they do not diagnose. “It is part of a process,” she says. “The results provide the physician with data to help them diagnose, but treatment can start in the meantime with a referral from your pediatrician.”  

Tyler says that parents are often surprised to learn how important play is to a child's development. Play is the foundation for many essential skills, including communication, social interaction, problem-solving, attention, and emotional growth. When a child has difficulty engaging in play, it can affect development across multiple areas.

Many families are also unaware of the significant role sensory and emotional regulation play in learning. Children who are overwhelmed by sensory input, have difficulty managing emotions, or struggle to stay regulated may have a harder time participating in daily activities. Occupational therapy can help children develop strategies to regulate their bodies and emotions so they can be more successful at home, school, and in the community.

Another common misconception about rehabilitation is that a child must have severe challenges to benefit from therapy. Even addressing small concerns can have a meaningful impact on communication, learning, independence, and social participation. 

Additionally, parents should know that seeking an evaluation does not automatically mean something is "wrong."  It is simply an opportunity to better understand a child's strengths and needs and determine whether additional support may be beneficial. For that reason, we encourage you not to wait and "see if they grow out of it" if you have concerns. 

Parents are encouraged to focus on what happens between therapy sessions as much as what happens during them. Some of the most meaningful progress occurs when therapeutic strategies are incorporated into everyday routines. “Therapy is most effective when families, therapists, teachers, and clinicians work together to support a child's goals across all environments,” Tyler says. 

Developmental milestones occur within a range, but parents should trust their instincts if something feels concerning. You know your child best. Early conversations can help you access resources, guidance, and support when needed.

“We want families to know they do not have to navigate these concerns alone,” Tyler says. “Even when a child ultimately does not require ongoing therapy, obtaining an evaluation can provide reassurance, guidance, and valuable information to support their development moving forward.”

At LVHN, families also benefit from access to the broader Lehigh Valley Reilly Children's Hospital network, allowing for close collaboration with pediatric specialists and physician teams to provide coordinated, individualized care.