Services
All of our fine motor, gross motor, and sensory systems, along with rhythm and coordination, are deeply interdependent and entangled with our emotions and experiences in ways that drive communication.
By offering a host of therapies, we can support our clients and their families in a way that uplifts the child's unique strengths and sense of belonging.
Speech Therapy
Speech therapy at Pivot Point is dynamic, individualized, and targeted to meet each child’s needs. Our therapists collaborate with parents and kids to prioritize the greatest needs at any given time, whether that be speech, feeding, or social-emotional development. Our speech therapists follow evidence-based practice and use child-led approaches.
Animal Assisted Therapy
Pivot Point Pediatric Therapy is located on a small, 11 acre, working farm outside Athens, Ohio. With supervision, children have access to see, smell, touch, care for, and talk to dogs, cats, sheep, rabbits, and horses. Interaction is as much a part of therapy as the children are interested.
To learn more about our Animal Assisted Therapies, view the Barnyard.
Music Therapy
Our music therapy program is provided by the Central Ohio Music Therapy Association and has become an integral part of our program. Parents and therapists agree music therapy has had a significant influence on the children’s speech and language development, not to mention their social-emotional engagement. All of our music therapists are board certified and use neurological therapy-based approaches.
Occupational Therapy
Occupational therapy assesses and treats the fine motor and sensory regulation skills a child exhibits. Occupational therapy gives insight into the form and function of a child’s hand/eye coordination, ability to self regulate, and sensitivity to sensory input: all crucial to seeing the whole child. To learn more about the way Pivot Point does OT, read our Occupational Therapist's profile.
DIR Floortime (Developmental, Individual Differences, Relationship-Based)
The Floortime approach is play-based and child-led, based on an individual’s unique developmental path. In addition to the five commonly known senses, Floortime incorporates three more. Proprioception, vestibular, and interoception, add to a deeper understanding of the child’s sensory profile. This knowledge guides therapy on sleep, potty training, and other idiosyncrasies, which all influence behavior and underpin language and cognition.
Birth-Three
While the Autism and Jon Peterson Scholarships do not cover the costs of services for this age group, we do provide services for birth to three through private pay. Research on the efficacy of early intervention to birth to three children is strongly correlated with more robust outcomes for school-age children. At Pivot Point we intentionally seek to utilize a young child’s neuroplasticity to set them up for success as early as possible.
Feeding Therapy
Difficulties with feeding can range from “picky eater” to a diagnosis of ARFID (Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder). At Pivot Point we address the full range. Using evidence-based approaches and tools from TalkTools™, in addition to an understanding of the child’s sensory profile and eating experiences, we work with parents in therapy and through a home program to increase, not only a tolerance, but an enjoyment of new textures, tastes, and flavors.
Group Therapy
Group therapy provides the best context for social engagement with peers. After a time of individual therapy, children are matched with one or more peers of similar age and size to take their new skills in communication, cognition, and engagement to the next level. Many neurodiverse children, and their parents, find themselves unsupported and isolated. Group therapy is as good for the children as it is for the parents. Pivot Point provides the community amongst parents that is missing in most clinical and educational settings.
Communication Devices
While many parents and caregivers fear that a communication device will replace speech or deter a child from using natural speech, there is no research to support this concern. In fact, in our experience, we have observed nothing but the opposite effect. AAC or (Augmented and Alternative Communication) devices are a fundamentally important part of facilitating speech and language in nonverbal or limited-speaking children. At Pivot Point, you are working with LAMP Words for Life™ certified therapists who know how to get children using their device and communicating.
Parent Training
Parents and the love they have for their children are at the heart of therapy. There is no other pediatric clinic in our area which provides more parent training than Pivot Point. We actually require that parents and/or caregivers are not just present, but an active part of every session. It is the carry-over at home which makes all the difference to successful outcomes.
Events & Field Trips
Many of our families find it difficult to take their neurodiverse children out into a world which doesn’t feel built for them. Large stores, libraries, museums, or playgrounds: each one can be overwhelming for different reasons. At Pivot Point we take this challenge on, together.