Early Developmental Intervention - In-Patient Therapy Services
Mercy's Early Developmental Intervention Services begin in the Mercy Birth Center for infants who demonstrate a need. Services may be provided by a physical, speech or occupational therapist who will complete an assessment of the infant's neuro-developmental skills, including muscle tone and reflexes, feeding ability and overall stimulation of the baby. They also provide education to parents. An infant may then be recommended for out patient follow up therapy.

     Mercy Miracles: Early Development Guide

Early Developmental Intervention - Out Patient Therapy Services
Pediatric therapists at Mercy specialize in treating the birth to three populations. All have advanced training and education in pediatric assessment and intervention. Therapy is provided with parental involvement to encourage carry-over and generalization of skills learned.

Physical Therapy
Physical therapy addresses the treatment of infants and children with a variety of congenital, developmental, neuromuscular, skeletal or acquired disorders/diseases that may cause limitations in gross motor development.

A physical therapist focuses on the gross motor skills such as rolling, scooting, sitting, crawling, walking and running. Physical therapy helps children improve overall body control and stability.

Occupational Therapy
Occupational therapy addresses the treatment of infants and children with a variety of congenital, developmental, neuromuscular, skeletal or acquired disorders/diseases that may cause limitations in fine motor skills and/or sensory-motor development.

An occupational therapist treats delays in fine motor skills such as cutting, coloring or handwriting. Occupational therapy treatment may address difficulties in the area of self-help skills such as dressing, bathing or self-feeding.

Occupational therapy intervention may also focus on improving a child's sensory processing to facilitate an optimal level of alertness for play and daily activities.

Speech Therapy
Speech therapy addresses the treatment of infants and children with a variety of feeding and swallowing disorders, as well as communication disorders.
Speech treatment addresses neurological, muscular and developmental disorders and helps children improve overall feeding, swallowing and communication skills.

Speech therapists specializing in pediatrics are trained to administer a variety of assessment tools and develop an individualized therapy plan for each child.

Camp Mercy - A Summer Camp for Children with Autism
Camp Mercy is a six-week summer therapy program where children are able to maintain and continue to build motor, speech and language skills over the summer. Each week, children participate in two one hour group therapy sessions where they will learn skills that can be applied in school and community settings. Each group consists of six children, grouped according to age and grade in school. The groups are lead by Occupational and Speech therapy staff.

For more information, call the Mercy Out Patient Therapy Department at 563-589-9035.