Since 2008, Kids Place West has provided pediatric therapy in physical, occupational, speech, and feeding therapy to West Valley children. In 2015, we opened Kids Place Central to provide these services to more Phoenix-area children. In 2018, Kids Place Central moved to our current location in Encanto Park. Kids Place Prescott began in 2020 with pediatric physical therapy and has expanded to include all services to the Quad City area. Most recently, Kids Place East in Gilbert opened to provide all services in the East Valley.
Kids Place celebrates Better Hearing and Speech Month. Check out this video from Kacie and Christy, Speech and Feeding Therapists at Kids Place West to learn more about how you can improve your child’s feeding habits. For more information, please visit: Feeding Foundations For Success Simple Ways to Help Your Child Try New Foods:…
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Container Baby Syndrome & Tummy Time by Kids Place Pediatric Physical Therapists The first year of life is critical for your baby to acquire gross motor skills such as gaining head control, ability to roll, crawl, sit, stand, and walk in order to efficiently explore her environment. Primitive reflexes like asymmetrical tonic neck reflex (ATNR),…
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Try Playing on a Vertical Surfaceby Melissa Engelhardt, SOTKids Place West Student Occupational Therapist Most writing, drawing, coloring, and playing occurs on a tabletop or floor, both horizontal surfaces. While these surfaces are convenient because toys stay in place, they also encourage poor posture. Playing on horizontal surfaces can lead to poor posture from slouching,…
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Understanding Visual Processing Visual processing involves making sense of what you see. This is vital for school skills such as reading, writing and math. They also impact life skills like reading signs and maps, finding objects in a busy space, and taking part in hobbies and crafts. When visual processing has not developed properly, the…
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Utilizing Yoga For Therapy has Multiple Benefitsby Sarah Koppenhoefer-Little, OTR/LKP West Pediatric Occupational Therapist For those of us who practice yoga regularly, we are aware of its many benefits. But did you know that it’s good for children, too? Utilizing yoga in therapy sessions, as well as the home, has many benefits for your children,…
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Holiday Gift Guide by Kids Place Occupational Therapists Looking for that perfect holiday gift for your little one? Overwhelmed by all the options out there? Here are a few choices from our team of occupational therapists and how each will support development and growth. For under 2 years of age: Shape sorters and ring stackers…
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Pediatric Orthotics – Why the Heel? by Kids Place Central Pediatric Physical Therapists As pediatric physical therapists, we often recommend a child be evaluated and fit for a pair of ankle-foot orthotics or AFOs. AFOs are plastic devices created by a certified orthoptist, custom made to control certain parts of an extremity, guide specific movements,…
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Promoting Better Sleep Habits in Children by Kyla Johnson, M.S., OTR/L KP West Pediatric Occupational Therapist Sleep has such an important impact on your child’s mental and physical development. Poor or inadequate sleep can also affect a child’s behavioral responses. Sleep, or lack thereof, can affect your child’s ability to self-regulate and make it difficult…
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Costume Ideas for Kids with Sensory and Mobility Concerns By Sarah Koppenhoefer-Little, OTR/L Kids Place West Pediatric Occupational Therapist Most children love Halloween! But for parents of children with special needs, Halloween can be stressful. Will my child tolerate a costume with their sensory concerns? How can I customize a costume for my wheelchair-bound child?…
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Newborn Tummy Time As a new mother to a beautiful baby boy born January 9, 2018, I understand the difficulties parents have incorporating tummy time at the home. If you have not already heard by now, tummy time is very important for your child’s development, even a newborn. Here are some tips and tricks that…
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