Early Intervention

Please call (314) 286-1669 Opt. #1 to schedule an appointment.

Our early intervention (EI) occupational therapists work with kids ages 0-3 to ensure they are well-equipped to succeed socially and developmentally. Our therapists are contracted providers through the Missouri First Steps* program. Throughout EI, our therapists partner with the whole family as the child grows and matures in the first three years of life. They work to build awareness about the child’s strengths as well as any challenges that may exist in order to best equip children to succeed in their daily activities. Then, when the time is right, we help the family transition to the next step.

Supporting the Family

In early intervention, our goal is to support a family’s ability to care for their child. We partner with parents and caregivers to help their children succeed by:

• assessing children’s developmental and learning needs
• discovering ways for children to participate in daily routines
• coaching parents on how to best support their child’s developmental needs
• reducing environmental barriers that limit a child’s participation in family, learning, and community-based activities
• identifying needed assistive technology devices and supports
• preparing children and their families for the transition to preschool, school, and other community-based programs

Together with the family, we develop strategies and skills that can be used daily in family interactions. We help educate parents and caregivers about their child’s developmental needs. We also support parents by providing information about accessing community resources and building social support. Because we can provide services anywhere (home, school, clinic, or community), we can reach our families where their needs will be best addressed.

Supporting the Child

A child’s life is made up of occupations, or jobs. These jobs include playing, learning, resting/sleeping, communicating with friends and family, and completing daily tasks, such as brushing teeth and getting dressed. Services to support children in their daily occupations may address feeding skills, sensory processing, motor development, environmental exploration, play skills, adaptive behavior, and interactions between the child and others.

Our therapists provide exceptional care and support for young children with a variety of diagnoses that may benefit from OT support, including:

• premature birth
• low-birth-weight
• congenital anomalies
• neurological disorders
• sensory processing difficulties
• challenging behavior
• neuromuscular disease
• prenatal drug exposure
• autism
• developmental delay

Supporting the Team

As EI providers, OTs are part of a support team. We often work with other professionals and care providers, including physicians, nurses, speech-language pathologists, psychologists, physical therapists, and teachers to best identify and support the needs of kids and families. We work together to ensure the continuity of care between team members. We also work to ensure comprehensive care so that all of your family’s needs are supported.

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*Please note that families receiving services through First Steps may not request our clinicians specifically for OT services. First Steps will place families as appropriate, based upon their regular placement criteria and selection process.