Dec 11, 2018, Oak Park, IL, Forest Park Review: Pediatric therapy clinic to come to Madison Street http://www.forestparkreview.com/News/Articles/12-11-2018/Pediatric-therapy-clinic-to-come-to-Madison-Street-/ Thirteen years ago, Danielle Lemon served as a therapist, working under Nancy Ruggles. Now, the two are planning to open their own therapy and mental health services clinic together in January 2019, which they name as the first of its kind in Forest Park. Power of Play (POP) Pediatric Therapy Services, 7421 W. Madison St., will offer occupational, physical and speech therapy, as well as mental health services, for children and families in the community. "There's a big need for this type of therapy in the community; we will be the only occupational therapy clinic in Forest Park" said Lemon, adding that the other clinics within a three to 10 mile radius of the village have waiting lists. Pediatric occupational therapy is focused on helping children grow into independent adults by developing their fine, sensory and visual motor skills. The therapy addresses physical impairments and injuries that prevent a child from fully progressing through the stages of cognitive and social development. Children with certain medical conditions, including ADHD, cerebral palsy, and autism, and sensory processing disorders can benefit from the therapy. "Most of the kids we see have sensory processing challenges, and a lot of families come to us if their child is struggling or if their school has recommended it," said Ruggles. … Both therapists serve a wide variety of patients, with ages ranging from infancy to 21 years old. …
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Childhood Lost
Children today are noticeably different from previous generations, and the proof is in the news coverage we see every day. This site shows you what’s happening in schools around the world. Children are increasingly disabled and chronically ill, and the education system has to accommodate them. Things we've long associated with autism, like sensory issues, repetitive behaviors, anxiety and lack of social skills, are now problems affecting mainstream students. Blame is predictably placed on bad parenting (otherwise known as trauma from home).
Addressing mental health needs is as important as academics for modern educators. This is an unrecognized disaster. The stories here are about children who can’t learn or behave like children have always been expected to. What childhood has become is a chilling portent for the future of mankind.
Anne Dachel, Media editor, Age of Autism
http://www.ageofautism.com/media/
(John Dachel, Tech. assist.)
What will happen in another 4 years? How can we go on like this? This is a national (and international) problem of monumental proportions. We have an entire new class of children who cannot be accommodated by the system: many are manifestly neurologically impaired. Meanwhile, the government and the medical profession sleep on regardless.
John Stone,
UK media editor, Age of Autism
The generation of American children born after 1990 are arguably the sickest generation in the history of our country.
Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.
It seemed to me that with rising autism prevalence, you’d also see rising autism costs to society, and it turns out, the costs are catastrophic.
They calculated that in 2015 autism cost the United States $268 billion and they projected that if autism continues at its current rate, we’re looking at one trillion dollars a year in autism costs by 2025, so within five years.
Toby Rogers, PhD, Political economist
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