The Working Therapist: Providing Helpful Ideas for Pediatric Speech, Occupational and Physical Therapy

After 23 years of interviewing speech, occupational and physical therapists, Haden Boliek, speech therapist, delivers some ideas on questions to ask prospective therapists. The interview questions she asks prospective team members are designed to inform the therapists as to the work ahead and making sure the position is a good fit for everyone. This edition has good information for the interviewer as well as the new therapist entering the job market.

Haden Boliek, speech therapist, and Kjirsti Myles, physical therapist, offer tips and strategies to therapists meeting the needs of the pediatric population receiving teletherapy for speech, physical and occupational therapy. Many therapists pivoted following the initial response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which produced federal legislation that made teletherapy available to clients. After a couple of months experiencing the change, Haden and Kjirsti offer some ideas they've learned in the process.

In this episode, Haden Boliek, Speech Therapist, and Kjirsti Myles, Physical Therapist, talk about the challenges and solutions to meeting the needs of children during the COVID-19 Pandemic. They share their experience operating the business of a developmental therapy practice and adjusting to the changing environment faced by therapists on the frontline.

The Working Therapist wraps up a special NICU series in Part III with discussion of:  Retinopathy of Prematurity (“ROP”); Cytomegalovirus (“CMV”); IgG antibodies; Discharge Summaries; Handing off the baton to therapists; NICU follow-up clinics; and more.  During the last part of the podcast, hear an inspirational message about the emotional workload, the future of neonatal medicine, and some suggestions for moving forward in the NICU.  Our Team for this Podcast: Haden Boliek, MS-CCC SLP, Pediatric Speech Therapist and CEO of Pediatric Developmental Therapy; andKjirsti Myles, PT, Pediatric Physical Therapist and Vice President of Pediatric Developmental Therapy.  OUR GUESTS: Dr. Scott Cameron, MD, is a neonatologist in Fayetteville, NC. who practices at Cape Fear Valley Medical Center. He earned his undergraduate degree from Duke University and his medical degree from the University of North Carolina School of Medicine in Chapel Hill, N.C. He completed his residency and completed a fellowship at Johns Hopkins Medical Center. Dr. Cameron is Board Certified by the American Board of Pediatrics/Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine. He also earned a Masters Degree in Divinity from Duke University.  Judy Philbrook, MSN, NNP-BC, is the co-coordinator for Neonatal Advanced Practice Service at Cape Fear Valley Medical Center in Fayetteville, North Carolina. She has a Masters Degree from George Mason University.

In Part II of this special series about premature infants, experienced Neonatologist Dr. Scott Cameron and longtime Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Judy Philbrook help us navigate the NICU. They define terms and conditions professionals encounter when working with premature infants during and after care in the NICU. For example, premature infants encounter conditions such as Respiratory Distress Syndrome and the need for ventilators (conditions we’ve all come to understand during the COVID-19 health crisis). You’ll hear how the team deals with these conditions and other similar challenges.Please join Pediatric Therapists Haden Boliek and Kjirsti Myles as they guide this informative discussion about the NICU.  Dr. Scott Cameron, MD, is a neonatologist in Fayetteville, NC. who practices at Cape Fear Valley Medical Center. He earned his undergraduate degree from Duke University and his medical degree from the University of North Carolina School of Medicine in Chapel Hill, N.C. He completed his residency and completed a fellowship at Johns Hopkins Medical Center. Dr. Cameron is Board Certified by the American Board of Pediatrics/Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine. He also earned a Masters Degree in Divinity from Duke University.  Judy Philbrook, MSN, NNP-BC, is the co-coordinator for Neonatal Advanced Practice Service at Cape Fear Valley Medical Center in Fayetteville, North Carolina. She has a Masters Degree from George Mason University.

In this series re-broadcast, Haden and Kjirsti gain insight into the workings of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). The engaged three-part series informs therapists of the who, what, when, where, why and how of pediatric therapists work with pre-mature infants. In Part I, Haden and Kjirsti introduce you to the NICU and professionals who work there. Youll be introduced to two special guests: Dr. Scott Cameron, an experienced attending Neonatologist; and longtime Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Judy Philbrook, who give detailed information on all aspects of the NICU throughout the series. Please join Pediatric Speech Therapist Haden Boliek and Pediatric Physical Therapist Kjirsti Myles in this fantastic podcast that will change the way you view the NICU and your work in that space!

We all use them and love them! They are simple modifications that enhance everyday tasks. In the learning environment, simple modifications can enhance engagement, retention and simplify tasks. In today's podcast, Haden & Kjirsti will share simple modifications that will bring a S.M.I.L.E to your therapy sessions. Listen to their ideas and then share your own by posting them on your social media page with the hashtag #pdtsmile. Here's an example:An over-the-door pocketed shoe holder is perfect for holding arts & craft supplies. #pdtsmile

In today's podcast Haden and Kjirsti talk with Troy Pfefferle the founder of Fun Factory Sensory Gym. They discuss the Sensory Gym and benefits and uses for all children in Occupational, Speech and Physical Therapy session.

When a child presents to therapy for an evaluation, the clinician develops a plan of care based on the information gathered during a 45-60 minute period of time. While careful attention is paid to standardized testing and objective findings, sometimes the outcome does not occur at the expected rate. In this podcast, Haden and Kjirsti explore the reasons when a therapist should pause and identify the need for a new goal plan.

On this episode of the Working Therapist Haden and Kjirsti discuss how in speech, occupational and physical therapy sessions therapists are working to "re-train" the brain to develop new motor patterns.

What makes a toy a Super Toy? In the replay of this podcast originally run in November of 2018, Haden and Kjirsti give their thoughts on what makes a toy a great therapeutic intervention tool. Listen as they share examples of several toys and interventions that hopefully will inspire your therapy in 2020.

Enjoy this replay of a podcast first run before Christmas 2018 where Haden and Kjirsti discuss 5 toys that pediatric therapists can use in speech, physical and occupational therapy. After listening hopefully you will be able to get some inspiration for future therapy sessions.

But wait! A motor therapist can do more than provide therapeutic activities, gait training, neuromuscular re-education, strength, endurance and ROM. There are times when a therapist should provide Manual Therapy (97140), Massage (97124) and Self Care/Home Management Training (97535). Kjirsti and Haden dive deeper into the use and justification for these less frequently used, but still medically necessary, codes when providing motor therapy for children.

Gait training is NOT only ambulation from point A to point B. Getting to point B can include many obstacles along the way. When considering gait training, you have to consider changes in surface, stair mobility, and pre-gait skills required for ambulation. Kjirsti and Haden discuss and define interventions that would best relate to using code 97116.

As therapists we often default to using code 97530, because every intervention consists of an underlying activity of play. Play is the occupation of a child, therefore, interventions are done through engaging in play. It is a natural reaction to code these activities as 97530. However, with a more thorough discussion of why you are doing what you are doing during the session, is that the most appropriate code to bill? In this episode, Kjirsti and Haden discuss and define intervention strategies that would best relate to using code 97530.