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Our Services We provide Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, and Speech services on an individual and small group basis. Often, due to the complex needs of our clients, our therapists will co-treat to maximize a child’s attention and abilities. Our Children in Group Therapy program provides a variety of opportunities for children to receive a combination of therapy services.
Our Setting Our therapy rooms are friendly, relaxed, and child focused. Families are invited to participate in treatment sessions. There may be times when one-on-one sessions may be recommended to minimize noise and distractions. For these situations, we have special two-way mirrors and intercoms, which allow parents and caregivers to observe therapy sessions from an adjoining room. Video taping of treatment sessions for carryover of treatment strategies at home is also available.
Our Team The families and caregivers are critical components to our Team. Their involvement encourages treatment progress through home play, daily tasks, and communication. Our therapists are fully licensed to provide services in Ohio. They have years of experience and many hold advanced certifications in specialized treatment techniques. Our services are delivered in an efficient and effective manner as we have an amazing support system within our department. Every member of the STARS Team offers a compassionate and caring approach to all relationships and tasks.
Occupational Therapy Children in Occupational Therapy learn to overcome sensory, motor, cognitive, social, and perceptual challenges, which affect daily learning and living. Children often develop better hand-eye coordination, acceptance of multiple sensory input, improved visual and perceptual skills, and improved motor control for performing activities of daily living such as dressing, feeding, bathing, and playing. Our therapists can provide adaptive aides and assistive technology, which can help overcome barriers to independence with daily living and learning. Splinting services are also available.
Colleen received a Bachelor of Science from Miami University and a Masters of Science in Occupational Therapy from Washington University. She began her very rewarding career in 1999. She has a background in working with children, adolescent and adults and children since 2000. Colleen earned her Neuro-Developmental Therapy Certification in March 2006.
Pauletta received her Associate of Applied Sciences from Sinclair Community College and graduated with honors from the Occupational Therapy Assistant program. She has worked closely with children for more than 20 years in various capacities and especially enjoys working with the families of children with special needs.
Kathy received a Bachelor degree from Ball State University in 2005 with a focus on psychology of human development, health science and dance education. She received her Masters of Science in Occupational Therapy from the University of Indianapolis in 2007. She is excited to begin her career at Abilities First working with children and their families.
Physical Therapy Children learn by discovering things for themselves as they move about on their own either by walking, crawling, running, rolling, or playing. Some children are inhibited in their discovery by delay or disability in the areas of motor development, strength, balance, and/or coordination. Physical Therapy can provide guided play which addresses these needs. Mobility may involve the use of a regular or electric wheelchair. Our therapists can provide initial fittings, modifications, and adaptations for a variety of ways to access electric controls.
Melissa received a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences at Ohio University in 1997 and a Doctor of Physical Therapy from Slippery Rock University in 2000. She has been working in pediatrics since 2002. Melissa earned her Neuro-Developmental Therapy Certification in March 2006.
Lynne received her Bachelor of Science degree in Allied Medical professions and Certificate in Physical Therapy from The Ohio State University in 1988. She has specialized in working with children since graduating from college and joins Abilities First having worked at Cincinnati Children's Hospital for 15 years. Lynne earned her Neuro-Developmental Therapy Certification in June of 1992 and especially loves working with children with developmental disabilities.
Speech Language Therapy Learning to communicate is critical in life. For many, communication is as natural as breathing. For others who experience speech or language delays, fluency disorders, hearing problems, or other impairments, communication skills must be developed through Speech-Language Pathology. Our speech-language pathologists introduce a variety of fun, experience-based language activities to promote curiosity, conversation and learning. Augmentative communication devices, gestures, and assistive technology are a few adaptations to foster independent communication skills. In addition, feeding and oral motor needs may be addressed by a speech-language pathologist.
Roni received a Bachelor of Science in Communication from Howard University and a Master of Arts in Communication Disorders from University of Massachusetts, Amherst. She has been working with children and families since 1989. She has a special interest serving children who are challenged with language difficulties which impact their literacy skill level.
Michelle received a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science in Speech Language Pathology from Miami University. She is certified in the Neuro-Developmental Treatment and Hanen approaches. She has training in the PROMPT method, oral motor techniques and is experienced in treating children with feeding challenges. She has learned from and enjoyed working with children and families since 1992.
Julie received a Bachelor of Arts in Speech and Gearing Sciences from Ohio State University and a Master of Arts in Communication Disorders from Bowling Green State University. She has been working with children and families since 1996. She has had extra traning in the PROMPT method, oral motor techniques and the Picture Exchange Communication System.
Autism Preschool Program Children living with autism present many challenges in the way they are educated and socialized. Our Specialized Therapeutic and Educational Preschool (STEP) program for autistic children (3-6 years old) addresses those needs by using state-of-the-art teaching techniques, small class sizes and a structured environment to help promote a successful transition into kindergarten.
Melissa received a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Mount Vernon Nazarene University in 2003 and an Intervention Specialist License from Xavier University in 2009. She taught preschool children with various developmental disabilities at Stepping Stones Center, in Cincinnati, for 7 years before joining the Abilities First Autism Preschool team.
Therapy Service Coordinator Bettie is the person you’ll speak with when you call to make a referral or schedule an appointment. Her friendly demeanor creates many bonds with our families. She is critical to the flow of communication and paperwork in our department and within the facility and is key in helping families learn about their benefits and entitlements to help with their children's management.
Group Therapy Coordinator Linda has over 35 years of experience working with young children in a classroom setting. Her creativity helps provide a fun and unique learning experience for the children she serves. Her assistance with our Children in Group Therapy program is essential as she brings wonderful knowledge and intuition, which enhances the therapists’ treatments.
Director of Children's Services Jan is a New Zealand Registered PT with over 23 years experience in working with children with neuro-developmental disabilities. She received her Neuro-developmental Therapy and Halliwick Certifications in New Zealand and has worked in a variety of countries in the past 13 years as an educator/trainer in programs dealing with community development, maternal and child health, inclusion initiatives and family focused interventions.
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