Southern Pediatric Therapy

Our office will be closed this Wednesday, June 19th in honor of Juneteenth.

If you would like to re-schedule your child’s appointment, please call our office at 662-469-2906 or email us at [email protected].

Happy Father's Day to all our amazing dads! Your support and love make a world of difference in your child's journey. We appreciate you today and always! 👔

🚴‍♂️ SPT Bike Camp kicked off last Friday with an amazing first day! Everyone had a blast learning how to ride a bike, and we saw fantastic progress as kiddos gained confidence and skills. We can't wait to see even more strides and smiles this Friday for week two! 🚴‍♀️

🌟 Last call for the Rising Stars Sports Program! 🌟

Join us for an afternoon of sports fun tailored for kids with special needs. We'll be offering five different sports while providing accommodations and support to ensure every child can enjoy and participate fully. Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity for your child to learn, play, and experience the joy of sports!
🏀🏓🏐🥊
Sign up here: https://forms.gle/NCNQqgHy1XNxuDJo6

Stepping stone rocks are a fantastic tool we use in therapy sessions to help children develop crucial physical skills.
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Navigating through a series of stepping stone rocks of varying heights is an excellent exercise for both occupational and physical therapy. This activity is designed to improve balance, coordination, and proprioception, which is the body's ability to sense its position in space. By stepping from one rock to another, the child engages their muscles, enhances motor planning, and increases body awareness. These skills are crucial for everyday activities such as walking, running, and climbing stairs. Additionally, this exercise helps to build confidence and independence, as children learn to judge distances and heights, adjust their movements, and achieve their goals. This holistic approach not only supports physical development but also boosts cognitive and sensory integration, making it a key component of our therapy programs.
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Overall, OT and PT play a vital role in helping children reach their full potential by addressing various developmental needs. Through fun and engaging activities, we aim to empower our young patients to thrive in their daily lives.

🎉 TEAM UPDATE 🎉

Welcome Hannah Walton, DPT, Board Certified Pediatric Clinical Specialist to the SPT team!

Hannah graduated from the University of Rhode Island with her Doctorate in Physical Therapy. She received her Board Certification in Pediatrics in June of 2020. Hannah has also contributed to research studies such as "Individualized Study on Pediatric Chronic Pain, Amplified Musculoskeletal Pain Syndrome and Functional Neurological Disorder" and "A Unique University/Community Partnership Model for Addressing the Physical Fitness Needs of Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities".

🧩 OT IN ACTION 🧩

This toy is designed to enhance multiple developmental skills so it is a great tool to use during occupational therapy. This activity involves matching colorful shapes to their respective places, which requires fine motor coordination and visual motor skills. As kiddos focus on the task, they work on hand-eye coordination, cognitive processing, and the ability to visually identify and manipulate objects with precision. This comprehensive exercise helps in improving overall motor and visual integration skills.

Through activities like these, occupational therapy helps children develop essential skills for daily living which boosts their confidence and independence.

Thank you, Ashley, for this wonderful review on Google! 🤍

Happy Birthday to all our amazing May kiddos! 🎉 We’ve loved celebrating with you and wish you a fantastic year ahead! 🎂

Today we say farewell to our wonderful Speech-Language Pathologist, Rebekah. She has made a significant impact here at SPT since joining our speech therapy team in May 2022. Rebekah is moving down south to be closer to family, and while we will miss her greatly, we are grateful for the time we've had with her. Best wishes, Rebekah! 🤍

🚴 LAST CALL FOR BIKE CAMP 🚴

Join us on Fridays in June for our first ever SPT Bike Camp where we teach your kiddo how to ride! We have a few spots left, so call our office to register. While attending every week is not mandatory, more sessions mean more progress. Don't miss out on this fantastic opportunity for your child to learn bike riding!

Sessions still available:
June 7th - 10:00 & 11:00
June 14th - 2:00
June 28th - 10:00

Click the link below or call 662-469-2906 to register!
https://squ.re/3KjOMmL

GROSS MOTOR SKILLS. What are they?
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Gross motor skills are the abilities required to control the large muscles of the body for activities such as walking, running, jumping, and maintaining balance and coordination. These skills involve whole-body movements and are essential for everyday activities and physical play. In pediatric therapy, developing gross motor skills helps children improve their overall physical health, independence, and confidence in their abilities.
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Gross motor skills are integral to both occupational therapy (OT) and physical therapy (PT) for children, as they play a crucial role in overall physical development and daily functioning. Here are just a few ways that gross motor skills are incorporated into therapy:

Daily Living Activities: OT helps children develop the gross motor skills needed for everyday activities like dressing, climbing stairs, and playing.

Sensory Integration: OT often involves activities that enhance sensory processing, which can improve balance, coordination, and motor planning.

Play & Social Interaction: Developing gross motor skills through play helps children engage more fully with peers and participate in group activities, which is important for social development.

Movement & Mobility: PT focuses directly on improving the strength, flexibility, and coordination of large muscle groups to enhance overall mobility and movement patterns.

Rehabilitation & Maintenance: For children recovering from injuries or who have certain diagnosis, PT helps restore and maintain gross motor functions and prevents future injuries through strengthening and conditioning.

Balance & Coordination: PT activities are designed to improve balance and coordination, which are essential for safe and effective movement in daily activities and sports.

🏀 IT'S NOT TOO LATE! 🏀

Join us for the Rising Stars Sports Program, where kids with disabilities can experience the joy of sports! 🌟 Each child has the option of a personal buddy to assist them, ensuring a fun and inclusive experience. Parents are welcome to accompany their child or cheer from the bleachers. Don't miss out on this fantastic event! 🏆

Register Here: https://forms.gle/JpPRDMUFDgS9Qh7L7

Want to volunteer? https://forms.gle/9wXiXp4aeQDhnpJ5A
Want to sponsor? https://forms.gle/Y9TK33kkLssdMTbRA

Today we honor the brave men and women who served and sacrificed for our freedom. 🇺🇸

Our office will be closed this Monday, May 27th in honor of Memorial Day!

If you would like to re-schedule your child’s appointment, please call our office at 662-469-2906 or email us at [email protected].

Today we celebrated our amazing Speech-Language Pathologists by dressing up as our favorite words! We're so thankful for this team and all they bring to SPT every single day.

🪅 FIESTA
🙏🏼 BELIEVE
😴 SLEEPY
🎨 ARTISTIC
🌷 BLOOM
😇 BLESSED
🏒 HOCKEY
🌸 FRESH
☀️ SUMMER
🎈 POP
🎉 PARTY
🛝 PLAY
✨ SPARKLE

😁 HAPPY
😴 TIRED
🤩 EXCITED
😤 MAD

Emotions are a big part of every child's life, and learning to understand and manage them is key to navigating the world around us. In therapy, we help kids explore and express their emotions in a safe and supportive environment. From identifying what different emotions feel like to learning healthy ways to cope, we are all about empowering kids to regulate their emotions and thrive in their daily lives. By building these essential skills, they are set up for success both now and in the future. Let's work together to help your child become an emotional superhero! 💪🌟

What is speech therapy?
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Speech therapy is a specialized form of therapy that focuses on helping children develop and improve their communication skills. It's not just about teaching kids to speak clearly, although that's certainly part of it! Our team of Speech-Language Pathologists work with children to address a wide range of communication challenges, including language delays, articulation disorders, stuttering, and social communication difficulties.
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The benefits of speech therapy go far beyond just improving speech. Through engaging activities and tailored interventions, our therapists help children enhance their language development, build confidence in social interactions, and improve their overall communication abilities. Whether it's teaching a child to express their thoughts and feelings effectively, helping them navigate social situations with ease, or supporting them in overcoming speech obstacles, speech therapy plays a crucial role in empowering children to communicate effectively and thrive in all aspects of their lives.
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This Better Speech and Hearing Month, we are beyond thankful for our talented team of Speech-Language Pathologists here at SPT as well as all the amazing kiddos we have the privilege to work with.

💖 EHLERS DANLOS AWARENESS MONTH 💖

Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes (EDS) are a collection of genetic connective tissue disorders where the squishy and stretchy collagen fibres in the body (ligaments, muscles, intestines, and skin) are fragile and easily injured. EDS can cause pain, dislocations, clumsiness, problems with balance, digestion, blood pressure, heart rate, extreme fatigue, and more. Managing this complex condition can be a full time job - finding the right combination of exercise, rest, splints, braces, physiotherapy, medication, diet, posture, and lifestyle for an individual can take a life-time of learning and hard work, with a lot of trial and error.

This month, we celebrate and raise awareness for individuals with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, including the amazing kiddos we have the privilege to work with. We have a profound respect and love for everyone doing their best to live well with EDS. 💖

🎉 GIVEAWAY 🎉

Your feedback matters. Leave us a Google review and you could win some cool SPT swag! 🎉 Leave a review and you'll be entered to win a free t-shirt and mug from our brand new merch collection.

Click here to enter: https://g.page/r/Cd-FAkCVv5d4EBM/review

Did you know that playing sports offers a host of benefits to kids? Here are a few:

🩺 Improved physical health: Participating in sports can help improve cardiovascular health, strength, flexibility, and coordination.

😎 Boosted self-esteem: Achieving success in sports activities can enhance self-confidence and self-esteem.

👫 Social interaction: Sports provide opportunities for kids to interact with peers, make friends, and develop their social skills.

😌 Emotional well-being: Engaging in sports can reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, promoting overall emotional well-being.

👣 Skill development: Sports activities help develop motor skills, balance, and coordination, which are essential for daily living.

🤝 Inclusion: Participation in sports promotes inclusivity and diversity, fostering a sense of belonging for kids.

🏅 Goal setting and perseverance: Sports teach valuable life skills such as goal setting, perseverance, and resilience in the face of challenges.

🥳 Enjoyment and fun: Most importantly, sports offer enjoyment and fun experiences, allowing kids to explore their interests and passions.

That's why we're excited about the Rising Stars Sports Program. Designed to provide children with disabilities the opportunity to play and experience sports, some for the very first time, this program ensures that accommodations are met, fostering an inclusive and empowering environment.

Don't miss the chance for your child to try out the following sports:

Basketball 🏀
Dodgeball 🏐
Pickleball 🏓
Co****le 🕳
Boxing 🥊

Register here: https://forms.gle/P63s3baGMRgefuGJA

Congratulations, Rosanne Hankins Stewart!

You are the winner of $100 worth of school supplies from your Amazon wish list! Thank you for all you do! 🎉

SPT is growing fast and we are in need of another full-time SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST to join our team! If you're passionate about helping children reach their full potential and want to be part of a supportive and dynamic team, we want to hear from you!

Send your resumes to [email protected]

❗️REGISTRATION EXTENDED❗

Join us for a special day at the Rising Stars Sports Program! This event invites kids with disabilities to experience the joy of sports in a supportive and welcoming environment. With a variety of activities to try, it's sure to be a day filled with fun and new experiences.

Registration extended until the day of the event, but be sure to sign up now to secure your t-shirt and swag bag!

Sign up here: https://forms.gle/P63s3baGMRgefuGJA

👄🦻🏼 Happy Better Speech & Hearing Month! 🦻🏼👄

This month we recognize the hard work of all our speech kiddos, guided by our fabulous team of Speech-Language Pathologists. Together, we're fostering brighter futures, one word at a time.

We're thrilled to collaborate with the outstanding individuals who make up the planning committee for The Rising Stars Sports Program. Each person brings their own unique perspectives and skills ensuring every aspect of this event is tailored for the kids attending.

Mary Kate King - Marketing & Events Coordinator, Southern Pediatric Therapy
John Tague - Owner, Hernando Sportsplex
Derek Pacileo - Owner & CFO, Southern Pediatric Therapy
Jennifer Pacileo - Owner & Occupational Therapist, Southern Pediatric Therapy
Jerry Pitts - Accountant, Williams, Pitts & Beard, PLLC
Latrice Hamilton - T.U.F.F. An Adaptive Gym
Terrence Hamilton - Owner, T.U.F.F. An Adaptive Gym
Tyler Densford - Professional Coach, Retired United States Air Force
Al Greer - Head Coach, Memphis Rollin Grizzlies
Greg Drumwright - Owner, The Gatorade Fieldhouse

Don't miss out! Registration closes this Sunday at midnight.

Register here: https://forms.gle/q7gVUKmqjTF2Jn33A

Got questions about The Rising Stars Sports Program? We've got answers! Find everything you need to know below and sign up for this amazing event your kiddo won't want to miss!

Register Here: https://forms.gle/iAJ4BVScG1MaFC3B8

🍎✨ Teacher Appreciation Giveaway! ✨🍎

Join us in celebrating Teacher Appreciation Week and honoring our local teachers who work tirelessly to support our kiddos! We want to buy a DeSoto County teacher $100 worth of supplies from their Amazon wish list to help them stock up for school next year!

To enter: like this post, tag your favorite DeSoto County teacher(s) in separate comments below, AND share this post. Winner announced May 13th!

🏀 REGISTRATION NOW OPEN 🏀

The event you've been waiting for is finally here! Southern Pediatric Therapy is teaming up with The Gatorade Fieldhouse and Hernando Sportsplex to host The Rising Stars Sports Program! This will be a single-day event featuring a variety of sports activities designed to accommodate children with special needs from ages three to twenty-one.

Registration will close Sunday, May 12th at 12:00AM midnight OR when capacity for the event is reached.

Don't miss out on this chance to join us for an afternoon of sports and fun! 🏅

REGISTER HERE:

Participant Registration This Liability Waiver (the “Waiver”) is effective immediately, by you as the legal guardian and/or parent (the “Party”) who acknowledges and agrees to the terms below:

Congratulations to our Volunteer Service Award recipient, Tiffany Austin.

Tiffany Austin is the Clinical Director at Southern Pediatric Therapy.

After receiving her award, here are her thoughts:

“I have always loved planning events and planning such special events at SPT for our kiddos and community has been my absolute favorite. Our team decided to create events for our population of patients that may not be able to attend traditional events. Our goal was to offer a safe place for them to enjoy all the holiday fun! What we didn’t realize was we were also creating a space for their parents and families where they felt welcome and where their children could just be themselves and have a great time. As a mom that was the greatest feeling knowing I played a small part in making that happen. I am grateful for SPT for allowing me to be a part of something so wonderful!”