Therapies/Programming

Physical therapy provides an all-inclusive plan of care to enhance the quality of life for each child while guiding the child toward greater strength and independence. Specialized equipment and diversified treatment modalities are used to maximize/maintain the strengths and potential of each child. This includes the use of: therapeutic tricycles, gait trainers, standers, wedges, and other positioning equipment, as well as, hands on therapy (ROM). Physical therapy monitors and adapts orthotic equipment including but not limited to: MAFOs, TLSOs, Hensinger collars and helmets. The physical therapy department is supported by a physical therapy aide.

Occupational Therapy focuses on maximizing each child’s functional abilities and strives for independence in the residential and community settings. This includes providing sensory stimulation, visual/perceptual development, fine motor skills, upper extremity range of motion/splinting needs and activities of daily living such as: self-feeding, bathing, toileting and dressing skills. Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy work along with vendors, hospitals, schools, and families to provide wheelchair evaluations, acquisitions, implementation and ongoing adaptations.

Speech/Language/Hearing Services facilitates the development of an individualized communication system for each child after an evaluation by a Speech Language Pathologist. This could include the use of oral speech, gestures, signals, formal signs, language boards, and/or alternative augmentative communication devices. Hearing Therapy provides amplification modes which enable the children to be in touch with sensory stimuli and their external environment to promote communication. Oral motor skills for feeding are also evaluated and therapy is provided to improve oral food intake through individual feeding protocols.

The QIDP monitors and ensures that each child receives all services and interventions necessary by each department including: Medical/Nursing, Speech/Language/Hearing, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Social Services, Recreational Services and Residential Services. The QIDP also integrates an active treatment program for each child, including after school, recreational, social/leisure and provides assistance to the residential department to implement these programs. They work alongside the Inter-Disciplinary Team (IDT) to develop each child’s individualized program and goals, address specific needs, supervise the implementation of these programs, including coordination and collaboration with school programs and goals. The QIDP serves as the team leader at IDT meetings and coordinates all services relevant to assigned individuals.

All staff at St. Edmond’s Home receive initial and ongoing training to obtain and maintain appropriate levels of knowledge related to their job responsibilities and current programming practices utilized by our organization. All newly hired staff attend a New Employee Orientation, and upon completion, site specific training is provided. Direct Care position training focuses on skills and competencies directed toward those we serve and to the daily operations of each program including but not limited to: residential roles and responsibilities, individual behavioral support plans, enhanced level of supervision, active treatment, and adaptive living routines specific to individual plans of care. All staff complete a minimum of 24 training hours per calendar year this training results in the competencies needed to perform their respective job duties throughout the facility.