Sidney Health Center's Rehab Clinic Opens a Pediatric Therapy Room

The Sidney Health Center Rehabilitation Clinic (SHC) has recently renovated unused space to incorporate a room for pediatric patients. With population influx, the number of children in need of therapeutic services has also increased in Sidney and the surrounding area; out of town pediatric patients are referred to SHC because other surrounding facilities don't always have the staff or resources to accommodate children's therapies.

There are currently two therapists at the SHC Rehab Clinic that work with children, Physical Therapist Nicole Keysor and Occupational Therapist Vince McGlothlin who is also Sensory Integration and Praxis Testing (SIPT) certified which assists with motor, emotional and cognitive development increasing overall function and performance.

According to Keysor and McGlothlin, having a closed environment provides privacy and more freedom of play. There is less distraction for all patients being seen in the clinic at that time, particularly for the kids and less time is spent re-focusing them. The room also allows for the storage of specialized equipment.

Plans for the pediatric room were discussed over the winter and the room became available for use in May 2015. At one time, there were unused classrooms at West Side Elementary that were utilized as therapists go into schools to work with kids, however, with the sudden population growth, the classrooms were needed. This is the first time there has been a designated area in SHC for children receiving therapeutic services.

There are additional plans for the pediatric room, including the installation of a track system which is a kid-friendly form of controlled ambulation aiding with crawling and there is a possibility of additional space becoming available in the future. The clinic can also refer patients and their families to other services such as the Montana Adaptive Equipment Program (MAEP), which is a state-wide lending program that provides essential and beneficial medical equipment that could otherwise be a costly out-of-pocket medical expense.

For more information on the services provided at the Sidney Health Center Rehab Clinic, call 406-488-2166 or visit them online at http://www.sidneyhealth.org.