Appalachian Pediatric Therapy

09/30/2025

Help us wish Paula an absolutely amazing birthday 🥳

09/23/2025

Help us welcome Kylee!

I am a pediatric Speech-Language Pathologist. I am originally from Kentucky, where I received my bachelor’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Eastern Kentucky University. Upon graduation, I moved to North Carolina with my family to continue my education and explore this beautiful state! I attended the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and graduated in 2023 with a Master of Arts in Speech Language Pathology. I’ve enjoyed working with children in various settings, including private practice, public schools, and home health. My goal is to facilitate communication through connections with children and their families. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time outdoors with my dog, reading, and creating art.

09/18/2025

Heather is a dedicated Speech-Language Pathology Assistant at Appalachian Pediatric Therapy where she brings compassion, creativity, and individualized care to every child she works with. She earned her bachelor’s degree in child development from Appalachian State University in 2000 and recently graduated with an AAS in Speech-Language Therapy Assistant from CCC&TI. Her many years of experience working in the field of child development, for the NC Division of Child Development on the NCRLAP grant as a researcher as well as teaching in a morning preschool program (ages 4 months-5 years) has prepared her for exciting work in the field of speech therapy.

Heather is passionate about helping children communicate with confidence and supporting families throughout their therapy journey. She believes in building meaningful connections and creating engaging, play-based sessions tailored
to each child’s unique strengths and needs.

In her down time, Heather enjoys traveling, reading/listening to books, and spending time outdoors with her family and friends.

09/16/2025

Rumor has it, this gem is celebrating a BIG birthday today! There are no words to express how much Danielle's dedication and love inspire us at App Peds. We wish her a year and new decade of boundless joy, unending bliss, and limitless fabulousness!

09/07/2025

The APT team extends its warmest birthday wishes to Emily, whose dedication to her profession and commitment to her clients is truly remarkable, making her an invaluable asset to our organization.

09/02/2025

Here are some crossing midline activities to develop movement and fine motor skills: https://www.theottoolbox.com/crossing-midline-march-gross-motor/

09/02/2025

Come work with us!
Hiring RBTs!

FREE 40-Hour RBT Training. Autism Partnership Foundation is now offering a FREE 40 hour RBT training – for anyone – FOREVER. This 40 hour training is based on the 2nd edition task list and meets the requirements outlined by the BACB for individuals seeking their RBT certification. Your certifica...

08/16/2025

In the school-based model of occupational therapy, fine motor skills are addressed to support a child’s ability to access and participate in their educational program. The focus is on helping students succeed in the classroom by building the foundational skills needed for tasks like writing, cutting, manipulating school tools, and completing daily routines.

Here are some ways school-based OTs work on fine motor skills:

1. Handwriting Support
✏️ Practice letter formation, sizing, spacing, and alignment
✏️ Use multisensory strategies (e.g., tracing in sand, air writing)
✏️ Provide handwriting tools like pencil grips or slant boards

2. Scissor Skills
✂️ Teach how to hold scissors correctly
✂️ Practice cutting along lines, shapes, or crafts
✂️ Use adapted scissors if needed

3. Tool Use & Classroom Materials
📎Practice opening containers, managing zippers/snaps on clothing
📎Support with manipulating glue sticks, rulers, hole punchers, or opening lockers
📎Teach use of adaptive tools (e.g., loop scissors, built-up pencils)

4. Hand Strength & Endurance Activities
🧠 Use play-based tasks (putty, clothespins, tweezers)
🧠 Build in-hand manipulation skills (moving small objects within the hand)
🧠 Strengthen the arches of the hand through cupping and grasping games

5. Visual Motor Integration & Coordination
🧩Coordinate hand and eye movements for copying from the board
🧩Use puzzles, mazes, tracing, and dot-to-dots
🧩Support spacing, line orientation, and visual attention during tasks

6. Embedded Support in the Classroom
🧍 Collaborate with teachers to modify tasks or routines
🧍 Provide movement breaks or classroom strategies that improve attention and participation
🧍 Train staff in fine motor accommodations and tools

Here is more information and resources on school-based OT: https://www.theottoolbox.com/school-occupational-therapy-scope-of-practice/

08/16/2025

🫶🏻

08/14/2025

Come work with us!!!!
📢 SLPs
📢 SLP-As
📢 COTAs
📢 RBTs

08/13/2025

This is the look of every school based SLP the week before school starts 🤣

08/08/2025

Friday FuNnY 😂😂😂