Children's Programs

DDS Lebanon Valley Children's Programs
DDS Lebanon Valley Children's Programs

DDS believes that children who are born prematurely or with developmental delays can achieve great strides through training and education. DDS works intensively with infants and toddlers and continues to work with school age children and teens by providing an array of recreational activities.

Infants born prematurely or with a specific disability such as spina bifida, autism, cerebral palsy, down syndrome, or intellectual disabilities often have trouble learning or doing everyday activities. Therapists will visit children in their home setting from birth to age three.

Early Intervention Services

This program focuses on parent education, as well as techniques to use with infants and toddlers to help them reach important developmental milestones.

Parents are taught appropriate activities and therapy techniques to encourage natural learning throughout the day while in the child's home environment.

An Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) is developed to address family concerns and to detail appropriate services, education and community resources across five key areas of child development.

DDS Lebanon Valley Children's Programs

Five Areas of Child Development

Communication — DDS Children's Programs

Communication

Developing the ability to understand and express language, including verbal, nonverbal, and alternative communication methods.

Fine Motor Skills — DDS Children's Programs

Fine Motor Skills

Building the ability to use small muscles in the hands and fingers for tasks like grasping, reaching, and self-care activities.

Thinking Skills — DDS Children's Programs

Thinking Skills

Developing cognitive abilities including problem-solving, memory, attention, and understanding cause and effect.

Gross Motor Skills — DDS Children's Programs

Gross Motor Skills

Improving the ability to use large muscle groups for movement, balance, coordination, and physical development.

Social Emotional Growth - DDS Lebanon Valley

Social/Emotional Growth

Supporting the development of relationships, self-regulation, emotional expression, and social interaction with family and peers.

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Children Specific Services

Special Instruction

Special instruction is provided for infants and toddlers to help develop cognitive, physical and social-emotional skills necessary for a child to communicate needs and wants, interact with family members and peers. Special instructors will focus on a child's strengths and help parents determine how best to maximize a child's engagement and development in daily play routines. Instructors listen to the concerns parents have and help them address those concerns with measurable goals and outcomes. DDS instructors have special training to assist parents with behavioral concerns including issues of potty training and discipline.

DDS-Direct Support Professionals (DSP) provide 1:1 services in the individual’s home or in the community and may assist individuals in gaining necessary skills for daily living. Some of these skills include financial literacy, banking, home budgeting, how to access public transportation, grocery shopping, cooking, laundry and other domestic tasks.

Based on the individual’s goals, Direct Support Professionals will explore opportunities for individuals to participate in community projects through volunteerism and community work projects. In-Home and Community Support Services are available to individuals who are currently working with a Supports Coordinator. Interested persons should contact their Supports Coordinator and request that habilitation goals be included in the Individuals Support Plan (ISP). Goals are customized to each individual with the objective for each person to become as independent as possible.

Physical Therapy

When an infant is unable to move or is delayed in movement skills or exploration abilities, the DDS pediatric physical therapist is there to help. The therapist will instruct the family how to carry, position and play with their child to incorporate special activities and will educate the family in gross motor development and what to expect at each developmental stage.

Companion Services are available free to individuals who are currently working with a Supports Coordinator. Interested persons should contact their Supports Coordinator and request that companion services be included as a goal in their Individuals Support Plan (ISP).

Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapy focuses on helping youngsters learn how to use their hands for specific tasks such as reaching for and playing with toys, bringing food to their mouths, or putting on a shirt. Sometimes an infant or child needs assistance learning how to suck, accepting lumps in foods, accepting a caretaker's touch, or learning that moving is fun and not frightening.

A DDS Direct Support Professional will assume the role of the primary caregiver for a temporary short-term assignment. DDS does not provide overnight respite services. Respite Services are available for free to families and caregivers who are currently working with a Supports Coordinator.

Speech Therapy

DDS provides speech-language therapy to children with learning delays or physical disabilities. The speech-language pathologist evaluates each child's auditory comprehension, expressive communication and speech-sound production. Speech therapy prepares children to talk by increasing their eye contact, attention skills and imitation abilities. While receiving speech therapy, children begin to develop the ability to communicate with others. Children may be instructed on how to use communication aides such as sign language, picture boards and electronic devices.

Recreational Programs

DDS & LVC Social Skill Groups

Children in Lebanon County with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and other social delays have the opportunity to further develop social skills by participating in small group sessions held at DDS. The social skill groups are planned and taught by Lebanon Valley College Professor and licensed Speech-Language Pathologist, Michelle Scesa, M.A.CCC-SLP, with group activities led by student volunteers.

Activities may include role-playing, games and educational exercises to help children learn how to navigate various social situations. Taking part in social skill groups helps children learn from their peers and increases their understanding of body language and non-verbal cues. Social skills are the building blocks for education and relationships — helping children learn to join a group, share materials, initiate conversations, and build healthy friendships.