THE COMPASS

Therapy & Helpful Products

Complementary Therapy

The purpose of this section is to provide you with information about alternative therapies. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other health care professionals before undertaking any of these therapies. It is also important to get approval from your surgeon before initiating a therapy, as there may be limitations or restrictions that need to be considered. Each therapy offers something different and may or may not be suitable for your child.

Below is a list of some available therapies. We are unable to list every therapy or facility available in Edmonton, but the internet is a great resource for finding more. Remember to always keep your receipts for taxes; your accountant can help you learn what expenses you can claim.

Physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy

When your child is in the hospital or at the Glenrose, they will have access to many professionals such as physiotherapists, occupational therapists and speech-language pathologists. Here are a few options you can find in the community.

Physical Therapy

• Summerside Physical Therapy
  The pediatric rehab services include physiotherapy and occupational therapy for a variety of conditions. From medically fragile infants to teenagers who feel uncoordinated, they offer neurological rehabilitation for all ages.
  summersidephysio.com
  (780) 466-8676
• Pediatric occupational therapy
  toolsforkids.ca
• Speech and language
  Encouraging First Words is a program offered by Alberta Health Services and Language Services.
  • Hanen is a speech and language program database.
    hanen.org
  • Qi Creative
    qicreative.com
  • Ability 4 Good
    ability4good.com
  • Kids First Communication Service Inc.
    kidsfirstcrew.edublogs.org
  • Khan Communication Solutions
    khancommunicationservices.com
  • Alberta Speech and Language Association of Private Practitioners asapp.ca

• Private physiotherapy, occupational and speech
  Many therapists will do private therapy sessions. The therapists you meet in hospital or at the Glenrose can often lead you in the right direction for private services.
• Constraint therapy
  Constraint therapy aims to improve the hand and arm use of children with hemiplegia. It involves physical constraint of the uninvolved or less affected arm to increase the use of the more involved or affected arm. Constraint therapy is done at the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital. For more information, visit canchild.ca/en/resources/169-alternative-and-complementary-therapies-for-children-and-youth-with-brain-injury-part-1-controversies.

Complementary Therapy

Before initiating therapy, consult your physician.

• Anat Baniel method
  The Anat Baniel method is for children who have special needs. It is based on the understanding that many diseases and traumas of childhood interrupt the normal process of formation of the brain. Through movement and gentle touch this method aims to enhance your child’s awareness and create new connections in the brain. Contact the Edmonton ABM practitioner, Carla, at abm2011@telus.net, or visit anatbanielmethod.com.
• Conductive education
  Conductive education is a rehabilitation program for people of all ages with disabilities such as cerebral palsy, Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis, or those who have had a stroke or brain injury. Google “CE” for various locations in Canada.
• Cuevas Medek exercises
  CME is a physical therapy method for infants and children with motor issues caused by disorders affecting the central nervous system. Visit cuevasmedek.com.
• Craniosacral therapy
  Craniosacral therapy is based on subtle movements that cause a response in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) fluctuations within the spinal cord and brain environment. More information is available at cranialtherapy.ca.
• Hyperbarics oxygen therapy
  For information on this, visit canadianhyperbarics.com.
• Masgutova method
  Information about the Masgutova Neurosensorimotor Integration (MNRI) method is available at masgutovamethod.com.

DENTISTS WHO TREAT CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS