Sensory integration therapy
Sensory integration therapy can help children who have trouble understanding sensory input, including those with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Our therapists will design and implement an individual program that aims to stimulate sensory responses from the child – in particular, responses to do with balance and physical movement and help the child learn to use all their senses together. Parents can implement some of the plans at home, with instructions from one of our therapists.
The Therapeutic Listening Program®
Therapeutic Listening is a structured program of listening to specifically designed music that is individually selected for each child. We use this for providing high quality auditory input within the context of a sensory based treatment program. High quality music, recorded specifically for Therapeutic Listening, is altered to exaggerate the sounds that naturally capture attention and tap into the parts of the brain involved in regulating bodily functions, relating to others, and organizing behaviour.
The Therapressure Protocol™
Sensory Defensiveness Disorder can manifest as visual, auditory or tactile defensiveness, postural or gravitational insecurity. Specifically designed to treat children who are over-responsive to sensory input, the Therapressure Protocol, as part of a larger therapeutic approach, is intended to help desensitize people with the disorder and improve their overall day to day function.
DIR / Floortime™
The DIR®/Floortime™ Model is also known as the Developmental, Individual Difference, Relationship-Based Model. It focuses on promoting development by encouraging children to interact with parents and others through play. Floortime promotes development in areas including: sensory development, motor skills, emotional and cognitive development and communication. DIR®/Floortime™ has several parts, including assessment, home interactions, educational interactions, play dates and specific therapies (such as speech therapy). Central to the approach is Floortime™. This is a large amount of play time between adult and child, usually on the floor. We facilitate parents to practise this approach with their child.
Interactive Metronome
Interactive Metronome targets the brain’s timing mechanism with an engaging, game-like program that can help children with ADHD, Apraxia/Dyspraxia, Autism Spectrum Disorders (including Asperger’s, PDD), Cerebral Palsy, Dyslexia and other reading disorders, sensory processing disorder, stuttering and more. Timing skills often underscore many of these disorders, so Interactive Metronome (IM) is a very effective and creative addition to many of our treatment programs.
Astronaut Training Program
Not just for astronauts! This common sensory integration treatment uses a variety of listening, moving and looking exercises to enhance the way the (vestibular system) which is located in the inner ear and affects movement – relates to the auditory and visual systems. This therapy trains the brain to more effectively integrate movement information with all of the senses so that the body becomes more organized.
Kinesio Taping
Kinesio Tape provides a safe and gentle approach to the treatment of muscular disorders and can be remarkably beneficial for children who suffer from movement difficulties and cerebral palsy. Designed for comfortable prolonged wear, Kinesio Tape provides extended soft tissue manipulation to prolong the benefits of manual therapy administered in the clinic.
Therapy Process
Pre-Therapy
Prior to commencing speech therapy at Therapy Point, all individuals must attend or show proof of a formal speech-language assessment within the last twelve months. This is so our Speech Pathologists can determine exactly the individual’s strengths and areas of need area, as well as a baseline to demonstrate improvement. If you have a previous speech pathology assessment report from within the last 12 months, please email it to us (info@therapypoint.com.au) and we will let you know how we can proceed.
Therapy
After completing a formal speech-language assessment with our therapists or providing us with an appropriate assessment report from another service, the individual may be offered a block of therapy to develop their specific areas of need. These sessions can last 30 minutes, 45 minutes, or 60 minutes and can take place weekly, fortnightly, or more/less frequently depending on the individual’s needs and the therapist’s recommendations.
Therapy sessions can also be conducted via telehealth or face-to-face, and they can take place in a variety of settings, including the clinic, the individual’s home, and/or preschool or school.
At Therapy Point, we believe that positive, fun, and meaningful therapy sessions, supplemented by consistent daily home practice, produce the best results. As a result, our speech pathologists customise all therapy sessions to each individual’s needs and provide them and their family members with activities for home practice at the end of each session to supplement their learning and help them achieve the best results.
We prefer to assist individuals in a positive, fun, and family-centred manner, so we actively encourage family members to participate in the therapy process as much as possible
