Services

Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral palsy (CP) is a group of disorders of the development of movement and posture, causing activity limitations that are attributed to nonprogressive disturbances that occurred in the developing foetal or infant brain. The motor disorders of cerebral palsy are often accompanied by disturbances of sensation, cognition, communication, perception, and/or behaviour, and/or seizure disorder.

Causes and associated risk factors for the development of CP include prematurity, with its associated complications, such as intraventricular haemorrhage (IVH), periventricular leukomalacia (PVL); along with complications in term infants, such as hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), perinatal stroke, maternal and fetal infections, genetic defects, and early childhood brain trauma.

Symptoms

  • Difficulty Walking
  • Variations in muscle tone, such as being too floppy or too stiff
  • Spasticity, or stiff muscles and exaggerated reflexes
  • Ataxia, or a lack of muscle coordination
  • Tremors or involuntary movements
  • Delays in speech development and difficulty speaking
  • Excessive drooling and problems with swallowing
  • Favoring one side of the body, such as reaching with one hand
  • Neurological issues, such as seizures, intellectual disabilities, and blindness

At Dr. Bhamini R. Waghela's Pediatric Occupational Therapy Services

  • We help individuals with cerebral palsy develop independence in daily activities such as dressing, eating, and bathing to reach highest independence.
  • It focuses on improving fine motor skills, coordination, and muscle strength to enhance functional abilities.
  • We work with individuals to adapt activities and environments to meet their unique needs and capabilities.
  • Therapy sessions may include exercises to improve hand-eye coordination, gripping objects, and using adaptive equipment such as splints or braces.
  • We also addresses cognitive and sensory impairments associated with cerebral palsy, helping individuals better understand and interact with their surroundings.
  • We may work on improving communication skills and social interactions to promote inclusion and participation in community activities.
  • Through occupational therapy, individuals with cerebral palsy can improve their quality of life, gain independence, and achieve greater autonomy in daily tasks.

Learning Disabilities/Problems

Learning disabilities includes difficulties in spoken(reading) or written language, mathematical calculation, attention, or the coordination of movement. It can occur in young children but are usually not identified until a child reaches school age.

Learning disabilities can may face difficulty in school/work& social situations Multiple learning disabilities overlap in some people.

Some specific categories of learning disabilities include:

  • Dyslexia, means difficulties with word recognition, spelling, and comprehension,skipping letters,words,lines.
  • Dysgraphia, means impaired handwriting,reversals of letters or numbers impaired spelling, or both
  • Dyscalculia affects the ability to learn arithmetic and mathematics.
  • Nonverbal learning disorder, means difficulty in receiving and interpreting nonverbal forms of communication such as body language and facial expressions

Apraxia of speech, which involves difficulty saying what one intends to say. unknown risk factors:Hereditary ,premature birth,low very low birth weight, the use of nicotine, alcohol, or drugs during pregnancy, and severe deficits in nutrition or exposure to lead during infancy.

An OT session could include sensory based play using swings, monkey bars and obstacle courses, fine motor activities through board games and adaptive aides like the iPad to enhance time management and visual attention. Occupational therapy helps individuals optimise their performances in meaningful activities. For children, this would comprise school, play, and social interaction with friends

Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder

SYMPTOMS

Some common symptoms of ADHD include trouble paying attention or focusing, impulsive behaviors, and being overly active. Symptoms may range from mild to severe. Children with ADHD may act out without thinking about the results, have learning challenges, make careless mistakes, forget or lose things, and squirm or fidget when sitting.

Symptoms and/or behaviors that have persisted ≥ 6 months in ≥ 2 settings (e.g., school, home, church). Symptoms have negatively impacted academic, social, and/or occupational functioning. In patients aged less than 17 years, and greater than 6 symptoms are necessary; in those aged ≥ 17 years, ≥ 5 symptoms are necessary.
Inattentive Type Diagnosis Criteria
  • Loses and/or misplaces items needed to complete activities or tasks
  • Sidetracked by external or unimportant stimuli
  • Forgets daily activities
  • Diminished attention span
  • Lacks ability to complete schoolwork and other assignments or to follow instructions
  • Avoids or is disinclined to begin homework or activities requiring concentration
  • Fails to focus on details and/or makes thoughtless mistakes in schoolwork or assignments
Hyperactive/ Impulsive Type Diagnosis Criteria Hyperactive

Hyperactive Symptoms:

  • Squirms when seated or fidgets with feet/hands
  • Marked restlessness that is difficult to control
  • Appears to be driven by “a motor” or is often “on the go”
  • Lacks ability to play and engage in leisure activities in a quiet manner
  • Incapable of staying seated in class
  • Overly talkative

Impulsive Symptoms:

  • Difficulty waiting turn
  • Interrupts or intrudes into conversations and activities of others
  • Impulsively blurts out answers before questions completed
Additional Requirements for Diagnosis
  • Symptoms present prior to age 12 years
  • Symptoms not better accounted for by a different psychiatric disorder (e.g., mood disorder, anxiety disorder) and do not occur exclusively during a psychotic disorder (e.g., schizophrenia)
  • Symptoms not exclusively a manifestation of oppositional behavior
Classification

Combined Type:

  • Patient meets both inattentive and hyperactive/impulsive criteria for the past 6 months Predominantly Inattentive Type
  • Patient meets inattentive criterion, but not hyperactive/impulse criterion, for the past 6 months Predominantly Hyperactive/Impulsive Type
  • Patient meets hyperactive/impulse criterion, but not inattentive criterion, for the past 6 months Symptoms may be classified as mild, moderate, or severe based on symptom severity

Some common symptoms of ADHD include trouble paying attention or focusing, impulsive behaviors, and being overly active. Symptoms may range from mild to severe. Children with ADHD may act out without thinking about the results, have learning challenges, make careless mistakes, forget or lose things, and squirm or fidget when sitting.

CAUSES

Research to date has shown that ADHD is a brain condition whose symptoms are also dependent on a number of factors, including family genetics. In fact, in 41% to 55% of families with at least one child with ADHD, at least one parent is also affected. Similarly, if a parent has ADHD, the child has up to a 57% chance of also having ADHD.

The Occupational Therapy Session are based on combination of different treatment approaches according to the need of child such as sensory integration therapy,play therapy and cognitive perceptual training,behavioural training etc.

We Occupational therapists use a technique called sensory integrative therapy to help kids with ADHD who have sensory processing disorder. In this technique, the therapist helps to reorganize the child's sensory system, using:

  • Deep pressure, such as massage or the use of a weighted vest or blanket
  • Rhythmic, repetitive movements such as on a swing, trampoline, or exercise ball
  • Different textures for the child to touch
  • Listening therapy to help with sensitivity to sounds.

Autism Spectrum Disorder

Autism spectrum disorder is a condition related to brain development which affects the how child perceives and socializes with others, problems in social interaction and communication. repetitive patterns of behavior(stereotyped behavior). The term "spectrum" in autism spectrum disorder refers to the wide range of symptoms and severity.

Autism spectrum disorder includes conditions that were previously considered separate — autism, Asperger's syndrome, childhood disintegrative disorder and an unspecified form of pervasive developmental disorder. Some people still use the term "Asperger's syndrome," which is generally thought to be at the mild end of autism spectrum disorder. Autism spectrum disorder begins in early childhood and. children show symptoms of autism within the first year. A small number of children appear to develop normally in the first year, and then go through a period of regression between 18 and 24 months of age when they develop autism symptoms.

symptoms

  • Fails to respond to when called by name or appears not to hear you at times
  • Fails to respond to when called by name or appears not to hear you at times
  • Has poor eye contact and lacks facial expression
  • Doesn't speak or has speech delay , or loses previous ability to say words or sentences
  • Can't start a conversation or keep one going, or only starts one to make requests or label items and cant maintain 2-way communication.
  • Speaks with an abnormal tone or rhythm and may use a singsong voice or robot-like speech
  • Repeats words or phrases verbatim, but doesn't understand how to use them
  • Doesn't appear to understand simple questions or directions
  • Doesn't express emotions or feelings and appears unaware of others' feelings
  • Doesn't point at or bring objects to share interest
  • Inappropriately approaches a social interaction by being passive, aggressive or disruptive
  • Has difficulty recognizing nonverbal cues, such as interpreting other people's facial expressions, body postures or tone of voice

Patterns of behavior

A child or adult with autism spectrum disorder may have limited, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests or activities, including any of these signs:

  • Performs repetitive movements, such as rocking, spinning or hand flapping
  • Performs activities that could cause self-harm, such as biting or head-banging
  • Develops specific routines or rituals and becomes disturbed at the slightest change
  • Has problems with coordination or has odd movement patterns, such as clumsiness or walking on toes, and has odd, stiff or exaggerated body language
  • Is fascinated by details of an object, such as the spinning wheels of a toy car, but doesn't understand the overall purpose or function of the object
  • Is unusually sensitive to light, sound or touch, yet may be indifferent to pain or temperature
  • Doesn't engage in imitative or make-believe play
  • Stares object or activity with abnormal intensity or focus
  • Has specific food preferences, such as eating only a few foods, or refusing foods with a certain texture
  • Smells things,avoids overcrowded areas.
  • Walks on toes.,avoids some certain textures.

As children with ASD become adolescents and young adults, they may have difficulties developing and maintaining friendships, communicating with peers and adults, or understanding what behaviors are expected in school or on the job. They may come to the attention of healthcare providers because they also have conditions such as anxiety, depression, or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, which occur more often in people with ASD than in people without ASD.

When to visit occupational therapist If your child...

  • Doesn't respond with a smile or happy expression by 6 months
  • Doesn't mimic sounds or facial expressions by 9 months
  • Doesn't babble or coo by 12 months
  • Doesn't gesture — such as point or wave — by 14 months
  • Doesn't say single words by 16 months
  • Doesn't play "make-believe" or pretend by 18 months
  • Doesn't say two-word phrases by 24 months
  • Loses language skills or social skills at any age.
  • The overall goal of occupational therapy is to help people with autism improve their quality of life at home and in school through sensory integration therapy . Sensory-based interventions or activities are structured and individualized per each child's specific individual needs. They range from passive activities (i.e., wearing a weighted vest, weighted blank, receiving hugs, playing with shaving cream) to active activities (i.e., spinning around, jumping on trampoline, running, climbing, walking on patterned blocks).we help to introduce, keep up, and improve skills of daily living so child with autism can be as independent as possible at earliest.

Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis

We are specializing in supporting children with Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis (JRA). We understand the unique challenges faced by children with JRA and are dedicated to offering personalized interventions to improve their quality of life and independence.

Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis, also known as Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA), is a chronic autoimmune disorder that affects children under the age of 16. It causes inflammation in the joints, leading to pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility. Children with JRA may also experience fatigue, muscle weakness, and difficulty performing everyday activities. However, with appropriate treatment and therapy, the symptoms of JRA can be managed effectively, allowing children to lead active and fulfilling lives.

At Dr. Bhamini R. Waghela's Pediatric Occupational Therapy Services, we are committed to providing specialized support for children with Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis. Through personalized interventions, compassionate care, and ongoing support, we aim to empower children to overcome challenges, maximize their potential, and enjoy an improved quality of life.

Mental Health / Behavioural Disorder

We provide Comprehensive Pediatric Occupational Therapy Services for Mental Health and Behavioral Disorders, We understand the complexities of these conditions and are dedicated to offering personalized interventions to promote emotional well-being and improve overall functioning.

Mental health and behavioral disorders in children encompass a wide range of conditions, including anxiety, depression, ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, and more. These disorders can significantly impact a child's emotional regulation, social interactions, academic performance, and daily functioning. Early intervention and targeted support are crucial in helping children manage symptoms, develop coping strategies, and lead fulfilling lives.

we are committed to providing compassionate and effective support for children with mental health and behavioral disorders. Through personalized interventions, collaborative partnerships, and ongoing support, we strive to empower children and families to navigate challenges, build resilience, and achieve their full potential. Contact us today to learn more about our services and start your child's journey towards improved mental health and well-being.

Developmental Delay

Welcome to the pediatric occupational therapy services offered by Dr. Bhamini R. Waghela, specializing in supporting children with developmental delays. Our team understands the importance of early intervention in addressing developmental challenges, and we are dedicated to providing comprehensive and personalized care to help children reach their full potential.

Developmental delay refers to a significant lag or impairment in one or more areas of a child's development compared to their peers. This delay may manifest in various domains, including motor skills, cognitive abilities, communication, social interaction, and adaptive functioning. Developmental delays can arise from a variety of factors, such as genetic conditions, prematurity, neurological disorders, or environmental influences. Early identification and intervention are crucial in promoting optimal development and improving outcomes for children with developmental delays.

We take a holistic approach to addressing developmental delays. Our goal is to assess each child's unique strengths and challenges and develop individualized intervention plans to support their growth and development. We collaborate closely with families and other healthcare professionals to ensure a coordinated and comprehensive approach to care.

Birth Injuries and Birth Defects

We understand the challenges faced by families when a child is born with a condition that affects their development and functioning. Our goal is to provide compassionate and comprehensive care to help children overcome these challenges and thrive.

Birth injuries and birth defects are conditions that can occur during pregnancy, labor, or delivery, leading to physical or developmental challenges in newborns. These conditions may range from minor impairments to more complex disabilities affecting multiple aspects of a child's development. Common birth injuries include brachial plexus injuries, cerebral palsy, and fractures, while birth defects may involve congenital anomalies affecting organs, limbs, or cognitive functions.

At Dr. Bhamini R. Waghela's Pediatric Occupational Therapy Services, we are dedicated to helping children with birth injuries and birth defects reach their full potential. Through compassionate care, evidence-based interventions, and family-centered support, we strive to make a positive difference in the lives of our young patients and their families.

Sensory Processing Disorders

The routine of activities in a sensory diet fits your child’s exact needs and schedule. They can be done at therapy sessions and at home under your supervision.

Sensory Processing Disorders

Sensory integration is a term that has been used to describe processes in the brain that allow us to take information we receive from our 5 senses, organize it, and respond appropriately. We also have a vestibular sense (balance) that tells us how to position our bodies and heads, and a proprioceptive sense (awareness of body in space) that helps us know what we do with our joints, muscles, and ligaments.

In children who have ASDs, sensory processing deficits have been theorized to cause difficulties that affect behavior and life skills. As a result, some children may be hypersensitive or hyposensitive to stimuli in the surroundings. Loud music, for instance, may cause intense discomfort, while bright fluorescent lights that bother others may be riveting to some children with ASDs.

What is Sensory Integration Therapy?

Sensory integration therapy, which was developed in the 1970s by an OT, A. Jean Ayres, is designed to help children with sensory-processing problems (including possibly those with ASDs) cope with the difficulties they have processing sensory input. Therapy sessions are play-oriented and may include using equipment such as swings, trampolines, and slides.

Sensory integration therapy, which was developed in the 1970s by an OT, A. Jean Ayres, is designed to help children with sensory-processing problems (including possibly those with ASDs) cope with the difficulties they have processing sensory input. Therapy sessions are play-oriented and may include using equipment such as swings, trampolines, and slides.

Sensory Therapy

The occupational therapist might also test your child for something called sensory processing disorder. Kids with ADHD sometimes have more trouble than their peers processing sights, sounds, smells, and other things.. Most people can filter out the screams of a fire engine siren or the sound of a flushing toilet. But for some kids with ADHD, these sights and sounds overwhelm their senses. Some children with the condition pull away from too much stimulation. Others crave even more. They're the ones who can swing and spin endlessly. Occupational therapists use a technique called sensory integrative therapy to help kids with ADHD who have sensory processing disorder. In this technique, the therapist helps to reorganize the child's sensory system, using

Handwriting Training

  • We as Occupational therapist helps individuals improve their handwriting by focusing on developing fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination.
  • We work with individuals to address specific handwriting difficulties, such as letter formation, spacing, and legibility.
  • Therapy sessions may include exercises to strengthen hand muscles, improve grip and pencil control, and practice proper writing posture.
  • We also teach strategies to improve handwriting speed and efficiency, such as using a preferred writing tool or breaking down tasks into smaller steps.
  • Therapy may involve practicing writing activities tailored to the individual's needs and interests, gradually increasing complexity as skills improve
  • We help individuals gain confidence in their handwriting abilities, which can positively impact academic performance and self-esteem.
  • By providing personalized interventions and support, occupational therapy empowers individuals to achieve clearer, more legible handwriting and succeed in daily tasks that require writing.

Fractures & Other Orthopedic Conditions

We understand the challenges faced by children recovering from injuries or managing orthopedic conditions, and we are here to provide comprehensive care to help them regain function and independence.

Fractures and orthopedic conditions in children can result from accidents, sports injuries, congenital anomalies, or developmental issues. These conditions may affect bones, joints, muscles, or connective tissues, leading to pain, limited mobility, and functional limitations. Occupational therapy plays a vital role in promoting recovery, rehabilitation, and optimizing outcomes for children with orthopedic conditions.

Dr. Bhamini R. Waghela's Pediatric Occupational Therapy Services offers specialized interventions to address the unique needs of children with fractures and orthopedic conditions.

We are dedicated to supporting children with fractures and orthopedic conditions on their journey to recovery and rehabilitation. Through personalized interventions, compassionate care, and collaborative partnerships, we strive to help children regain function, independence, and quality of life.

Post Surgical Care

We understand the importance of comprehensive rehabilitation following pediatric surgeries, and we are committed to supporting children in their recovery journey to regain function and independence.

Post-surgical care is essential for children recovering from various surgical procedures, including orthopedic surgeries, neurosurgeries, cardiac surgeries, and more. Occupational therapy plays a crucial role in promoting optimal recovery, facilitating rehabilitation, and helping children resume their daily activities and routines after surgery.

Dr. Bhamini R. Waghela's Pediatric Occupational Therapy Services offers specialized interventions to support children during their post-surgical recovery.

Through personalized interventions, compassionate care, and collaborative partnerships, we strive to support children in their recovery journey and help them regain function and independence after surgery. Contact us today to learn more about our services and how we can assist your child in their post-surgical rehabilitation.

Burns Rehabilitation

We understand the unique challenges faced by children recovering from burns, and we are committed to providing comprehensive rehabilitation to help them regain function and confidence.

Burn injuries can have a profound impact on children, affecting their physical, emotional, and psychosocial well-being. Occupational therapy plays a crucial role in burns rehabilitation, focusing on promoting wound healing, restoring mobility, improving function, and supporting the child's overall recovery and adjustment.

We are dedicated to providing compassionate and effective burns rehabilitation for children. Through personalized interventions, collaborative care, and supportive guidance, we strive to help children regain function, confidence, and quality of life following burns injuries. Contact us today to learn more about our services and how we can assist your child in their burns recovery journey.

Metabolic Disorders

We understand the complex challenges faced by children and families living with metabolic disorders, and we are here to provide compassionate care and support.

Metabolic disorders are a group of genetic conditions that affect the body's ability to process and utilize nutrients, leading to abnormalities in metabolism. These disorders can affect various organs and systems in the body, resulting in a wide range of symptoms and complications. Occupational therapy plays a crucial role in helping children with metabolic disorders optimize their function and quality of life.

We are dedicated to providing compassionate and effective support for children with metabolic disorders. Through personalized interventions, collaborative care, and supportive guidance, we strive to help children optimize their function, independence, and quality of life.

Spina Bifida and Muscular Disorders

We understand the unique challenges faced by children living with these conditions, and we are committed to providing comprehensive care to enhance their function and quality of life.

Spina Bifida is a congenital condition characterized by incomplete closure of the spinal column, leading to varying degrees of spinal cord damage and neurological deficits. Muscular disorders encompass a range of conditions affecting muscle strength, tone, and function, such as muscular dystrophy, myopathy, and congenital myotonic disorders. Occupational therapy plays a crucial role in addressing the functional limitations and promoting independence in children with these conditions.

We are dedicated to providing compassionate and effective support for children with Spina Bifida and muscular disorders. Through personalized interventions, collaborative care, and supportive guidance, we strive to help children maximize their function, independence, and quality of life.

Traumatic Amputations and Severe Hand Injuries

We understand the physical, emotional, and functional challenges faced by children experiencing these traumatic events, and we are committed to providing compassionate care and rehabilitation to help them adapt and thrive.

Traumatic amputations and severe hand injuries can result from accidents, injuries, or medical conditions, leading to significant physical and functional impairments. These injuries can have a profound impact on a child's ability to perform everyday activities, participate in school and recreational activities, and maintain independence. Occupational therapy plays a critical role in helping children regain function, adapt to their new circumstances, and achieve their goals.

We are providing compassionate and effective support for children with traumatic amputations and severe hand injuries. Through personalized interventions, collaborative care, and supportive guidance, we strive to help children regain function, independence, and quality of life.

Down's Syndrome & Oher Genetic Conditions

We understand the unique challenges faced by children with genetic conditions and are dedicated to providing holistic and personalized care to help them thrive.

Down syndrome and other genetic conditions are caused by chromosomal abnormalities or genetic mutations, resulting in physical, cognitive, and developmental differences. Children with these conditions may experience a range of challenges, including developmental delays, sensory processing difficulties, motor coordination issues, and speech and language delays. Occupational therapy plays a crucial role in addressing these challenges and promoting optimal development and independence.

We are committed to providing compassionate and effective support for children with Down syndrome and other genetic conditions. Through personalized interventions, collaborative care, and family-centered support, we strive to help children reach their full potential and lead fulfilling lives.