Building Blocks Autism & Rehab Center

Children and adolescents perform multiple roles in society. These roles include play, activities of daily living, social interaction, and school participation. Occupational therapy is the use of treatments to assist a person develop or recover skills required to perform meaningful tasks of everyday life. At BBRAC, occupational therapists treat people ranging in age from infancy to adulthood who have a medical diagnosis such as autism spectrum disorders, cerebral palsy, or Down syndrome. The primary role of the occupational therapist is to evaluate the client and determine which problems are hindering development in areas such as self-care, physical development, cognition, and social/emotional behavior. Once these problems are uncovered, a plan of care is established to assist the client in achieving and maintaining the highest amount of independence possible. Occupational therapy treatments are diverse and the frequency of visits can range from one to five times a week depending on the severity of the condition and the delays associated with it.

Physical therapy helps develop the strength and range of motion children need to move through their environment easily and effectively. Physical therapy goals often target meeting developmental milestones like sitting, standing, crawling and walking. Our therapist is specialized in the diagnosis, treatment, and management of infants, children, and adolescents with a variety of congenital, developmental, neuromuscular, skeletal, or acquired disorders/diseases. Treatments focus on improving gross and fine motor skills, balance and coordination, strength and endurance as well as cognitive and sensory processing/integration. Our licensed physical therapist also assesses the need for orthotics (like splints and braces) and recommends adaptive equipment.

The staff of Building Blocks Speech Department focuses on treating infants to adults with autism spectrum disorder through the use of applied behavior analysis approaches, facilitating carryover into the home and daily settings by training family members and providing visual supports including picture schedules, picture icons, and other materials. During therapy we incorporate developmentally appropriate play, use of peer volunteers, and favorite items or actions to promote gains in communication skills.

Social Services at Building Blocks Rehabilitation & Autism Center is an important component in each patient’s treatment. Our full-time licensed social worker (LMSW) meets with each family at the time of the patient’s initial evaluation to assess needs and to establish an ongoing relationship in which follow-up occurs at least every 90 days. The social worker provides information regarding resources and helps families apply for SSI (Social Security Income), Medicaid, CHIP, Medicaid transportation reimbursement, and other needed services. Other services include help with toilet training, accompanying parents to public school conferences and ARD (Admission, Review, & Dismissal) meetings, and support with parenting children with special needs. The social worker attends all case conferences to communicate the progress of each patient with Building Blocks therapists and medical director.