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Your child’s physician has requested an evaluation to determine if therapy services could improve her abilities. Occupational therapy and physical therapy make it possible for children with injuries or physical and developmental challenges to function as well as possible in day-to-day activities and live their lives to fullest potential.
Yes, we require a written referral by a physician or certified nurse practitioner to begin therapy. This helps us coordinate our services with the care plan laid out by your child’s primary care or specialty care physician. Even if another health professional recommends therapy services for your child, we must have a written referral from your primary / specialty care physician or nurse practitioner before we can schedule an appointment. Referrals can be written on a prescription form or the physician’s letterhead.
In the initial evaluation, the therapist will perform an assessment that identifies how we can best meet your and your physician’s concerns. Afterward, the therapist will discuss the results with you, and review the recommended treatment options. If the therapist recommends physical or occupational therapy, you will be given instructions about how to schedule appointments. We will also communicate our findings with your child’s referring physician or certified nurse practitioner.
A parent or legal guardian must be present at your child’s initial therapy evaluation; this is important so that you can give consent for your child to be treated. In addition, being present at the evaluation will give the therapist a chance to speak with you about your concerns and goals for your child.
For future appointments, we strongly recommend that you or your child’s primary caregiver be present during each therapy session, even if your child is a teenager. One of our primary goals is to give your entire family skills and knowledge to help your child gain the greatest benefit from therapy.
If absolutely necessary, teens may attend their therapy sessions without their legal guardian present, provided they are responsible young adults.
You will benefit more from the therapy session if you are not distracted by caring for other children. If you must bring other children to the therapy session, we ask that you supervise them closely at all times. Please bring toys or books to keep them busy; they are not permitted to play on therapy equipment.
The treating therapist and the evaluating therapist may or may not be the same person. This depends on your availability for scheduling, your location preference and the evaluating therapist’s schedule.
The purpose of therapy is to help your child become as independent as possible in normal daily activities. The time varies depending on your child’s condition, her age and a wide range of other factors. Soon after your child starts therapy, your therapist will talk with you about how many therapy sessions she will need, and for how long therapy will last.
Guidelines for determining frequency of therapy service are used to help decide how often and for how long your child could benefit from therapy. We believe in ongoing communication with a child’s family, physicians and teachers to ensure appropriate treatment. Our therapists will work with you to develop the most appropriate and effective plan of care for your child. From the day your child enters therapy, our primary goal is to help your entire family develop the skills and knowledge to help your child continue to thrive after the course of treatment ends.
We offer therapy services at several Cincinnati Children’s locations throughout the Tristate.
Depending on the location, treatment times are available as early as 7 am and as late as 7 pm; some locations offer appointments on Saturday. Keep in mind that therapy services are in high demand during peak hours. The more flexible you can be regarding location and times, the sooner your child can receive services.
It is your responsibility to determine how you or your insurer will pay for treatment services before your child starts therapy. Occupational therapy and physical therapy are generally covered under most insurance policies. At the time of your appointment, you will be asked to pay any co-payment required by your insurance.
If you have questions about insurance coverage or payment for services, we have full-time financial service representatives on staff who can help answer your questions.
