We offer an intensive therapy program for children who need to build strength and improve functional skills. The program consists of:
- An intensive burst of physical therapy (PT) and / or occupational therapy (OT)
- Therapy for 2-3 hours per day, 3 times a week, for 6 weeks with a break in therapy after the intensive burst
- Instruction in a home exercise program to practice skills
It includes:
- Use of pulleys and weights to strengthen muscles
- Improving balance, coordination, and sensory/body awareness in a dynamic suspension/bungee system called a universal exercise unit
- Working on specific skills
Goals of the program are developed with the family. They often focus on achieving a next skill level. In PT, this may be walking with or without an assistive device. In OT, this may include working on fine motor skills, handwriting, or self-care activities (dressing, self-feeding, bathing).
Why Choose Us?
The SPIDER program is six weeks in length, which is the minimum amount of time required to show improvement in isolated muscle strength by evidence of strengthening research. The SPIDER program includes both strengthening and focusing on functional tasks which has been documented to show progression in functional skills. We have designed our SPIDER program with current research in mind to help children get to the next level of skill.
Who Can Benefit?
This program is directed towards children and/or adolescents who would benefit from an intensive burst of strengthening exercise. It may help develop a new skill or recover strength after an illness or surgery.
To participate in this program, children should be:
- At least 4 years or older
- Able to follow simple directions
- Able to demonstrate active limb movement
Diagnoses include:
- Cerebral palsy
- Traumatic brain injury
- Neurological disorders
- Developmental delay
Location of Service
The SPIDER program is an outpatient based therapy program offered at Main (Burnet) Campus, our Northern Kentucky, Liberty Campus and Mason (PT only) locations.