Promoting Fluent Speech for Children Who Stutter by Alexandra Pagel, M.A., CF-SLP Kids Place West Pediatric Speech and Language Pathologist You’re staring at a large audience, delivering an important speech. You find yourself starting sentences over, taking long pauses, and repeating parts of words or entire words. You’re nervous and your words just aren’t coming…
Using Tai Chi to Decrease Risk of Falls One in four Americans fall every year. In fact, falls are the leading cause of fatal and nonfatal injuries in the 65 and older population. Not only can a fall cause hip fractures, broken bones and head injuries, but it can also cause fear and depression, making…
My Child is Walking! Now What? by Jeanette Mangano, PT, DPT, PCS Kids Place West Pediatric Physical Therapist Your new baby begins to walk for the first time! How exciting! Walking is a very important motor milestone for many families. But after your child begins to walk – now what? Often, we are asked what…
Signs and Symptoms of Water Dehydration by Ian M. Larson PT, DPT Cert. DN, CCI The extreme heat is upon us, and it’s a great time for us Phoenicians to remember to keep water with us wherever we go – work, gym, errands, etc. Water dehydration is very serious, yet many of us do not…
Messy Face, Empty Plate by Kacie Bartlett, CCC-SLP Kids Place West Speech and Feeding Therapist Parents have been taught that when their child is hungry, they will eat. This may be true for some children but not all. Many children have difficulty consuming adequate nutrition orally, whether it is due to a medical diagnosis, motor…
The 8th Sense by DeNell Dykstra, OTS Kids Place West Student Occupational Therapist Most of us are aware of the five main senses – sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch. Some of us have also heard of the two ‘hidden’ senses – proprioception and vestibular. Proprioception is the ability to sense joints and muscles. The…
Don’t Let an Ankle Sprain Keep You From Moving by JD Fields, DPT, OCS AZOPT Glendale Clinic Manager One of the more common injuries we encounter at AZOPT is ankle sprains. Most think ankle sprains only can happen during sports or high-level activity, but in truth, these occur more regularly during normal daily and recreational…
Tools to Manage Your Child’s Challenging Behaviors by Kristen Henderson, M.S., OTR/L Kids Place West Pediatric Occupational Therapist Children misbehaving or testing the limits is a normal part of childhood development. Most challenging behaviors emerge between the ages of 3—6 when the child is developing a sense of autonomy. However, these behaviors can reach a…
Common Types of Dizziness and Vertigo By Tyler Guymon, DPT AZOPT Buckeye Clinic Manager and Doctor of Physical Therapy If you have ever woken up one day experiencing symptoms of dizziness and vertigo without knowing why, you are not alone. While many cases of dizziness and vertigo can be traced to a specific incident, many…
The Risks of Prolonged Use of a Pacifier by Paige Luetkemeyer, MS, CF-SLP Kids Place Central Speech Language Pathologist It’s in your nature to comfort your baby when in distress. Pacifiers are a helpful tool that not only soothes a crying baby but also satisfies her natural sucking instinct. In fact, several studies have shown that…
