Specialized Programs
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Aquatic Therapy
The Aquatic Therapy program oftentimes benefits children who are having difficulty achieving that “next step” in their regular therapy program. The pool is a highly motivating and physically supportive environment where verbal requests and good eye contact are facilitated. With its resistance and buoyancy, water allows for increased reaction time to learn balance skills, and contributes to an overall increase of body awareness and strength. Once a skill is achieved in the water, the child is often able to carry it over to their land-based therapy activities. In addition to gross motor skills, aquatic therapy also provides an awesome opportunity to work on self-care and speech-language skills. Most kids love being one-on-one in the pool! Call 952-285-2840.
“Learn to Write Right”
“Learn to Write Right” combines the principles of the “Handwriting Without Tears,” “Getting it Write,” and “First Strokes” programs and is designed for children of all ages, who are just learning to write or who struggle with writing. “Learn to Write Right” is a fun, interactive program that includes interesting tools, amusing songs, and interactive games, to teach your child how to write. Each class includes 20-25 minutes of gym activities, including gross motor games and sensory motor activities, to help organize and prepare the body. The second half of the class focuses on handwriting practice. We discuss and practice tips on posture, grip, and proper hand and paper positioning. Each class lasts for one hour for a duration of ten weeks. Parent/caregiver collaboration, at the conclusion of each class, allows for consistency and carryover of new skills.
Minimal paper and pencil tasks, as well as sensory activities, will be given each week for home practice. Throughout the ten weeks, your child learns to write (print or cursive) all letters of the alphabet in upper and lower case, as well as numbers 1-10. Call 952-285-2840 or 763-533-0363.
“Ready, Set, Write!”“
“Ready, Set, Write!” is designed to prepare kids of all abilities for the level of handwriting required prior to the start of kindergarten. This 10-week class is for children approximately 3-1/2 to 5-1/2, whose academic level is that of a pre-school or pre-K child who is not yet able to write letters independently. This playful, multi-sensory approach will help kids to grasp writing utensils properly, imitate shapes, trace/copy letters, write their names, identify letters, and color within the lines, so they’ll be all set for kindergarten. Call Deanna Dyrud, OTR at 763-533-0363.
Therapeutic Listening™
Many children with attention, sensory integration, auditory processing and balance/coordination challenges are good candidates for Therapeutic Listening™. This program integrates the use of a number of electronically-altered compact discs with sensory integrative treatment techniques, to improve your child’s attention and learning. These discs vary in musical style, sound quality and level of enhancement. Capernaum therapists individually pair Therapeutic Listening™ with appropriate activities to address your child’s specific needs and maximize performance with daily living tasks. Some of the benefits include:
• Improved listening skills
• Greater body and social
• Increased tolerance to sounds awareness
• Better attention and focus
• Improved coordination
• Increased emotional regulation
For more information and research on the Therapeutic Listening™ Program, visit www.vitallinks.net or call Deanna Dyrud at 763-533-0363 or Lisa Knox at 952-285-2840.
Interactive Metronome®
The Interactive Metronome® program can benefit a broad range of the population (ages 7 to adult), from kids with Attention Deficit Disorder and poor motor coordination, to athletes and musicians who want to refine their skills. Interactive Metronome® is a computer-based training program that utilizes visual and auditory feedback to improve overall motor planning, sequencing, and attention. Improvement in these areas has been shown to impact learning, cognitive, reading and social skills. For more information and research, visit www.interactivemetronome.com. Call 763-533-0363.
“Fun With Food”
This play-based approach is for those “picky eaters” who have a limited diet, are upset by the sight of new foods, or who dislike getting their hands/face messy during meals. Following initial evaluation, individual or group treatment may be recommended. Groups consist of two children and their parents, and are led by a speech pathologist and/or occupational therapist. Each session includes information and discussion regarding why children develop picky eating patterns and how to carry out the “fun with food” approach at home. This program is based on the Sequential Oral Sensory (SOS) approach to feeding, developed by Kay Toomey, Ph.D. The program teaches the differences and similarities between foods, helping children learn to appreciate a variety of tastes and textures through exploration and play. Participants are able to eat more food and a greater variety of foods. Additionally, since mealtime is often a social time for families/peers, children who enjoy eating have a greater quality of life! Call 763-533-0363 or 952-285-2840.
“Gaining the Edge”
“Gaining the Edge” is a program for the child with balance and coordination challenges. This program may help him or her to better keep up with peers on the playground, in physical education class, and at community activities. Participants of this program have noticed improved self-esteem and social interaction as well. Call 952-285-2840 or 763-533-0363.
Little Language Learners
This thematic-based group is intended to stimulate expressive language in children ages 4-7 years who have typical cognitive and behavioral development, but are “delayed talkers” or have expressive language delays. Speech-language pathologists facilitate the functional, play-based activities in this 12-week class. The activities are designed to provide a language-rich environment in which children can expand their spoken language skills among same-age peers. Children who participate in Little Language Learners demonstrate increases in receptive and expressive vocabulary, social interaction skills, and ability to follow directions. Call Hannah Williamson or Marissa Douglas at 763-533-0363, or Meijie Goudy or Sara Exsted at 952-285-2840.
“Friendship Club” (Social Skills Development Group)
“Friendship Club” is an 8-week adventure for children of all ages that develops and works on strategies for optimal socialization. Each course is facilitated by an occupational and/or speech therapist and is specifically formed and implemented to meet the unique needs of the children in that group. Therapists use a variety of play-based approaches including the “How Does Your Engine Run?”/Alert Program to teach self-regulation and coping skills within a social environment. Learning these skills has shown to improve:
• Teamwork
• Listening skills
• Problem solving
• Perspective taking
• Conflict resolution
• Conversation skills
Children develop life-long friendships and learn social skills that can apply at home, school, and in the community! Call 763-533-0363 or 952-285-2840.
Youth Community Service Group
Give your child a fun chance to expand his perspective and gain social skills through community service projects! Participants are children in 3rd grade or higher (both with and without disabilities), who can attend to and follow multi-step directions for 15 minutes with occasional cueing. Family/PCAs and friends are welcome too! Some of the service projects in this 9-week group include: making toys and blankets for animals at the Animal Humane Society, decorating and delivering pots of flowers to nursing home residents, creating snack packs and games for low-income or homeless children, packaging meals for hungry families around the world, and more! The group is staffed according to the activity and needs of each participant. Not only do the kids make friends, they learn leadership skills, investigate career options, and make a difference in their community! Participants are blessed with an increased spirit of gratitude through giving! Call Kristen Roll at 763-533-0363.
Adapted Dance Classes
These classes are intended for children with orthopedic, neurological, or other diagnoses, as an opportunity for them to explore movement and dance in a recreational setting. Children ages 5 and older may use wheelchairs, walkers, crutches, etc. throughout the classes if needed. The classes are small which gives the children the attention they deserve. The benefits of participation in dance and movement classes include promotion of:
• Motor skills development
• Body awareness
• A mode of creative expression
• A positive self-image
• Listening, sequencing and direction-following skills
There are memorable recitals at the end of the spring session! For more information, call Kristi Delarwelle at 763-533-0363.
Kids on Stage!!!
This club is for children of all abilities, ages 7-17, who enjoy movies, theater, movement and storytelling, and who can read and memorize simple scripts. The 12 practice sessions emphasize:
• Voice and Expression
• Music & Sound Effects
• Listening and Retention
• Dance
• Eye Contact and Attention
• Memorization
• Movement and Body Language
• Peer Trust
• Stage Directions
Kids on Stage!!! culminates in a wonderful play where the club can proudly show their accomplishments to friends and families! Call Deanna Dyrud or Sarah Zinkel at 763-533-0363.
Independent Living Skills for Teens & Young Adults
Candidates for this one-on-one program are verbal, able to attend to tasks and follow simple directions, and do not have aggressive behaviors. Occupational therapists use a wide variety of individualized tests to determine the teen/young adult’s attention, problem-solving, learning and safety levels. Participants then learn self-care skills, planning and preparing simple meals, home and money management skills, personal safety and social skills, and appropriate leisure activities, with adaptations made where needed. Call 763-533-0363.