Easter Seals Disability Services

Preventing, Diagnosing and Treating Disabilities

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Medical rehabilitation (pediatric therapy) focuses on the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disabilities to help individuals live with greater independence. Easter Seals pediatric therapy program -- including physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, aquatic therapy, and early intervention -- is the first step toward helping children with special needs gain greater independence. Easter Seals pediatric therapy programs serve children newborn to 18 years who are delayed in their development or at-risk due to prematurity or complications at birth, and for those diagnosed as having a disabling condition. Children receive therapy from a highly trained team of professionals: occupational, physical and speech therapists as well as audiologists.

Easter Seals is pleased to announce that it has been awarded its second consecutive Three-Year Accreditation for its pediatric therapy programs, from CARF.  This accreditation outcome represents the highest level of accreditation that can be awarded to an organization and show’s the organization’s substantial conformance to the standards established by CARF.  An organization receiving a Three-Year Accreditation outcome has put itself through a rigorous peer review process and has demonstrated to a team of surveyors during an on-site visit that is programs and services are of the highest quality, measurable, and accountable.   

Easter Seals also promotes quality of life for individuals with disabilities through education and prevention programs.

Early Intervention
Early intervention helps infants and toddlers work toward developmental goals at the time in their lives when they are most ready to learn and can most benefit from intervention. Easter Seals Volusia & Flagler Counties, FL works in conjunction with the Early Intervention Program (EIP) to provide this service. Qualified professionals work with children from birth to age 3 who are either experiencing or at risk for developmental delays. The purpose of Early Intervention is to optimize development and ensure that the highest possible level of achievement will be reached.

Physical Therapy
Physical therapy helps to preserve, develop, and restore physical function that may have been affected by injury, disease, or congenital problems. Easter Seals' licensed physical therapists use exercise, assistive devices and special techniques to encourage independence at work, home, school and in the community.

Learn more about Easter Seals physical therapy.   
Visit the American Physical Therapy Association.

Occupational Therapy
Occupational therapy helps develop one's ability to perform daily life activities such as feeding, dressing, or bathing by addressing fine motor skills and underlying sensory motor skills. Occupational therapy focuses on enhancing or restoring function affected by injury, disease, or congenital problems. Licensed occupational therapists promote independence in self-care, work and productive activities and play or leisure skills.

Learn more about Easter Seals occupational therapy.
Visit the American Occupational Therapy Association.

Speech Therapy
Speech therapy services focus on enhancing or restoring communicative skills or swallowing capabilities limited or otherwise affected by injury, disease, or congenital problems. Alternative communication systems are used with children who cannot rely on speech or hearing as a communication means. Easter Seals provides speech therapy in English and Spanish. 

Learn more about Easter Seals speech therapy.  
Visit the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.

Special Programs
Easter Seals offers serves the needs of its community. The following programs are offerd by Easter Seals Volusia and Flagler Counties:

Autism - click here for an audio description and click here for more information.

More than a generation ago, Easter Seals was front and center during the polio epidemic, working tirelessly to help children and adults with polio gain the skills necessary to live independently. And now, Easter Seals is working nationally to provide help, hope and answers to families living with autism today by delivering personalized services and treatments, as well as advocating in Washington DC to encourage Congress to finance research to improve services and supports for people with autism.

 “Easter Seals believes autism is an epidemic of our time,” adds Lynn Sinnott, CEO Easter Seals Volusia Flagler

Learn about our new feeding program, SOS (Sequential Oral Sensory)

Occupational therapy has initiated a new feeding program to assist clients and their families to prevent and intervene in problematic feeding issues. The program is based on the work of Kay Toomey, PhD and is a 32 step process to help children to broaden their food choices and assist with elimination of problematic behaviors. Corey Peacock, MS OTR/L has been instrumental in developing the SOS feeding program (Sequential Oral Sensory) through her past training with Dr. Kay Toomey in Denver Colorado. Eating is actually the most complex physical task required of a child. This feeding approach utilizes sensory and cognitive behavior strategies to link non-preferred food with preferred food groups for successful outcomes.

Interested in learning more?  Contact Dorothy Lefford, OTR, Clinical Coordinator or Corey Peacock, MS OTR/L at the Daytona Center, 386-255-4568, ext. 333.

Easter Seals affiliates across the country together offer 45 different kinds of interventions to address the affects of autism.  For example, Easter Seals Volusia Flagler: provides early intervention for very young children with developmental delays and autism; works with children with autism, supporting families to find an approach that deals with the whole child; supports young adults, encouraging them to find meaningful employment and live independent lives; and offers Respite Care programs for families affected by Autism.

Aquatic Therapy

Aquatic Therapy Program offers:

• One-on-One therapy for every child
• State of the art warm water therapy spa pool
• Aquatic therapists with speciality training
• Fun therapy in safe and stimulating arena

Children with ADD/ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Cerebral Palsy, and learning disabilities can benefit from Aquatic Therapy.

For further information about this innovative therapy, currently available at the Easter Seals Daytona Beach location for those up to age 18, contact Tomi Gentile, Therapy Manager, at (386) 255-4568 ext. 333 or contact us online.

Interactive Metronome - new therapy modality at Easter Seals

Interactive Metronome measures and improves motor planning and sequencing.  As a result of Interactive Metronome, improvements in Attention and Concentration, Behavior, and Academic Performance have been documented.  Children with Asperger Syndrome, Autism Spectrum Disorder and ADD/ADHD have benefited from Interactive Metronome. 

For more information, contact Tomi Gentile, Therapy Manager, at (386) 255-4568 ext. 333.