Open house features new pediatric service at Oaklawn Physical Rehabilitation

The Oaklawn Physical Rehabilitation Center is inviting the public and medical professionals to visit its facilities during an open house Tuesday, Feb. 5, as it launches a new treatment service for children.

The free event will be from 4:30 to 6 p.m. that day at 13697 15-Mile Road, Marshall. Visitors are advised to use the east entrance of the Oaklawn Life Improvement Center. Light refreshments will be served.

“We wanted to give people a chance to see our new treatment rooms, meet our staff and discuss our services,” said Cheries Brule, a licensed physical therapist who is a member of the center’s staff.

Visitors will receive a tour of the center’s new pediatric area and can talk with staff about aspects of new and existing programs, said Sarah Hook, a doctor of physical therapist who also is a member of the center’s staff.

New programs include treatment for pediatric physical therapy as well as occupational therapy that includes a sensory-integration approach.

Sensory integration is the specialty of Carol VanSlyke, a registered and licensed occupational therapist who joined the center’s staff in November to help develop the new program.

Treatment can help children who have difficulty walking, moving or stumbling; keeping up with peers in large and small muscle movements; tolerating others’ touch, excessive noise and/or wearing certain clothing; getting along with others or becoming frustrated easily; and eating a wide variety of foods.

Such difficulties are related to a variety of pediatric conditions – including development delay, neurodevelopment disorders and neuromuscular deficits – that are treatable through therapy.

The center’s physical and occupational therapy team develops a specific treatment plan for each child. Many areas are addressed, including problems in self-care, self-regulation, balance, large muscle activities, coordination, oral-motor/feeding and/or social skills, all through purposeful play.

“If you have a question about difficulties your child is experiencing, it is wise to notify your family physician,” Brule said. “Your physician then will refer you to physical or occupational therapy as appropriate.”

“Parents and others in the family can participate by learning the necessary techniques, by bringing the lessons from therapy sessions into the child’s home,” Hook said.

“We have brought together a compassionate staff of therapists who are eager to work with children to help improve their quality of life,” VanSlyke said.

For additional information about the open house, the new pediatrics program or about other services at the center, call (269) 781-6030