Pediatric Therapies

The Arc Gateway’s experienced pediatric professionals provide services through the Pearl Nelson Center for children who have, or are at risk of, developmental disabilities. The children reach their potential in a fun and safe environment while learning and playing with friends.

What is the Pearl Nelson Center?

The Pearl Nelson Center is the largest early intervention provider agency in the community for Early Steps including physical, occupational, & speech therapies along with developmental instruction services.

Services are implemented in a family-centered approach where parents
learn strategies to help promote their child’s developmental and functional life skills. Parents are assisted with the transition to public school services for their child if further intervention is needed when Early Steps funding ends for the child at three years of age.

In Pearl Nelson’s pediatric therapy services parents are not only welcomed but encouraged to be a part of every session, as they are recognized as a the primary influence on their child’s success, Spacious therapy rooms promote a family-friendly environment that allows for creative and structured activities. Therapy sessions involve movement, toys and fun interaction that may look like play to an adult observer. However, therapy is important work that uses guided play designed to help a child achieve success.

Ember's Journey:

The Impact of Many Small Steps

Therapy Services

Developmental Instruction

Provided by Infant Toddler Developmental Specialists for children, birth to three years of age, who have been referred by the local Early Steps Program. Children qualify if they are diagnosed with one of many conditions that are historically known to be associated with developmental delays or by meeting eligibility criteria based upon scores from a multi-disciplinary developmental evaluation.

Services are provided in the home, childcare setting, in the community or at the Pearl Nelson Center based upon the needs of the child and goals identified in their Individualized Family Support Plan. The Developmental Specialist works closely with parents and coaches them on activities to do during the child’s daily routines that are likely to promote important skill development.

Speech Therapy

Addresses the needs of children with speech concerns including Apraxia, articulation and phonological disorders. Our clinicians have experience with treating language disorders including working with children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and/or social communication disorders, as well as Augmentative and Alternative Communication methods. We have a speech therapist trained in the Sequential Oral Sensory approach to feeding and treat children who have feeding and swallowing disorders as well.

Physical Therapy

Provides fun, challenging play activities for infants and children who have difficulties or delays in “big body” movement skills such as head control, rolling over, sitting, crawling and walking with a focus on strength and endurance activities. Therapists assist parents in understanding their child’s movements and how to improve the child’s functional mobility within his/her environment.

Occupational Therapy

Works to improve fine motor, gross motor, motor planning, and self-care skills including oral motor control for eating. By incorporating sensorimotor activities, the child can better respond to and interact with his/her environment and peers. Therapy is tailored to each child’s specific needs in order to assist parents in understanding their child’s sensitivities and how to improve their child’s interactions with his/her environment.

Occupational therapists with special training can improve eye movements and visual skills to improve academics, posture and balance. Those trained in vision can work with small muscles in our eyes to strengthen them for everyday activities. In pediatrics, we focus on the eyes working together in order to help improve posture for functional mobility, reading for academic success,

and attention for behavioral success.