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How to identify Developmental Delays?

Many children with clinically significant developmental delays are not detected until the first few years of school. Consequently, critical early intervention opportunities for young children who are at-risk of developing problems may be delayed and/or lost.

Every child grows and learns differently; however, children are expected to gain some specific developmental skill sets according to their age.  

 

What is a DEVELOPMENTAL DELAY?

A developmental delay refers to when a child hasn’t achieved some of those developmental skill sets expected according to their age. 

These delays may occur in one or more areas, such as motor function, speech and language, cognitive, social and emotional skills. Different from a developmental disability, such as cerebral palsy or autism, developmental delays may not last for life. Early intervention as in screenings, evaluations, caregiver education, coaching and treatment as needed are possibilities to help children overcome their developmental delays.

 

What CAUSES Developmental Delays?

Although developmental delays can happen to any child, some factors can contribute to it. Some of them are genetic or hereditary conditions, metabolic disorders, trauma to the brain, PTSD, exposure to toxic substances, infections and food deprivation.

 

What are the SIGNS of Developmental Delays? 

Signs may vary from child to child and may be difficult to notice at an early age. However, the earlier a concern is identified, the quicker your child may catch up. Here are some of the most common signs:

  • Learning slower than other children the same age
  • Rolling over, sitting up, crawling, or walking much later than developmentally expected
  • Being clumsy or having difficulty holding onto small objects, tying shoes, or brushing teeth
  • Trouble learning in school
  • Trouble understanding social cues or carrying on two-way conversations
  • Difficulty dealing with frustration or coping with change.
  • Having problems remembering things
  • Difficulties talking or talking late
  • Inability to connect actions with consequences
  • Difficulty with problem-solving or logical thinking

 

Your child deserves a chance to reach his or her full potential!

With that in mind, we developed the K-Shield Assisted Screening: A complete assessment that will give an accurate picture of whether your child’s development is on track. It is a highly effective way to identify developmental concerns and provide guidance to avoid academic or social school related struggles.

 


K-Shield is recommended for kids from 36 to 66 months old, and includes:
• Live video consultation
• Pre-evaluation with specialized therapists
• Assistance to parents in applying ASQ 3™ questionnaires
• Documentation results supporting the new Florida’s Family Empowerment Scholarship Program
• Recommendation on intervention activities which parents, daycare and preschool staff can use promoting development before starting school

 

You can learn more about K-SHIELD Screening and choose the best date for scheduling here.

We are here to help you from the beginning!

 

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My cancer, my blessing – Lessons and advice from a cancer survivor.

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It was a sunny July day 2017 when my journey began, my life changing episodic events, which I now see as blessing, a chance for me to change the trajectory of my life.

I am now mentally and physically stronger, able to fulfill my life’s purpose with more vibrance and love than ever before.

When I received the diagnosis of a stage 3 colon cancer and the results of the 63 removed lymph nodes showed only 1 of them had cancer cells, I saw it as a wakeup call to change my daily mental and physical habits, and to prioritize the importance of a well-balanced life.

If I had listened to the signs my body was telling me and acted in accordance with the recommended screening for colon cancer prevention, my cancer may have been prevented. But I tried to focus on being happy that I had not taken even longer, or it could have been too late.

To my family and friends, I have always been seen as one who would always help them through their hardships. For the first time, they saw me vulnerable, someone who also needed them. My cancer brought us together as family, each took a part giving a helping hand and heart. We learned that “it takes a village”, we are a team, I am not alone.

Workwise, I have always been considered an unstoppable locomotive working long hours and remarkably close to patients and therapists. My passion to support and guide with my experience would often last from dawn to midnight.

It was only during my treatment, when I could no longer really work as much as I liked, and with the suggestions from my family, that I transferred much of my knowledge and expertise to others by hiring supportive supervisors and creating trainings through video. This proved to be a very effective endeavor, allowing me to help more people through an online platform, successfully treating, consulting therapists and patients and completing therapy-based projects to reach patients globally.

These past few years have been focused on listening to my body, my mind and what makes my heart beat faster with joy. I realized how close I came to my end of life, I also realized I had so much more to do, so much more to give.[/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner css=”.vc_custom_1629387752423{border-bottom-width: 10px !important;padding-top: 20px !important;}”][vc_column_inner width=”1/6″][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”2/3″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1629386826543{margin-right: 10px !important;margin-left: 10px !important;padding-top: 30px !important;padding-right: 30px !important;padding-bottom: 30px !important;padding-left: 30px !important;background-color: #edf7de !important;}”]

My Cancer… My Blessing: A New Beginning

Like tiny particles of sand whirling into the gusts of air
each one landing to form a fresh blanket a new surface.
My Cancer… My Blessing.

Like a lightning bolt spitting a tree
and a new sprout grows in its place.
My Cancer… My Blessing.

Like a train full speed ahead
stopping before a fatal crash.
My Cancer… My Blessing.

Like a Harsh winter’s snowstorm
before the new day of spring.
My Cancer… My Blessing.

A New Beginning.

Amee Cohen

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/6″][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_column_text]If I could give you some advice, these would be it:

1. Listen to your mind and body. If you feel something is not functioning as it is supposed to, do not wait. Contact your physician.
2. Don’t stress over small problems. If you can only count to 10 and take deep breath, there is always a calm solution.
3. Be grateful. Practice looking at everything as a miracle, even in tiny simple things like feeling the breeze on your face, opening your eyes in the morning, or hugging your child.
4. Build meaningful relationships. Work is important but the people around you are paramount.
5. Have a purpose. No matter what you do, make your career about touching people’s lives.


Amee Cohen, President and founder of AC&Associates

You can also find us on our Social Media Channels: Instagram  |  Facebook |  Twitter
We look forward to helping you and your family through your wellness journey![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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Despite the benefits of using Mobility Aids many people who could benefit from these devices choose not to use them. One of the reasons? Social stigma!

Walkers, canes, crutches, braces, wheelchairs, electric scooters… More than to avoid accidents from happening or further damage, Mobility Aids aim to guarantee people’s freedom and independence despite limitations caused by disabilities, injuries or aging.

Although autonomy and safety are key motivators of mobility devices use, the will to avoid social stigma is what holds some patients back. Concerns such as discrimination, negative attention or even of being perceived as inferiors or too fragile may reduce acceptance and contribute to the abandonment of mobility aids

On the other hand, other users of mobility aids state that they feel strong and proud of using their devices, as it shows that there is always a way to adapt to limitations in order to do the things they love or want to do.

A number of patients states that mobility devices make their disabilities visible and become a welcome card for people to ask invasive questions that most mobility aid users are not comfortable answering.

Those who have anxiety or feel ashamed of using mobility devices are more likely to be sedentary and to limit social contact, which may lead to other conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, poor cognitive function, and depression.

After receiving the recommendation to use a Mobility Aid, having the assistance of an Occupational Therapist is highly encouraged. They can not only suggest the right tools but also teach how to use those tools and their accessibilities in order to gain more self-confidence.

As this process goes beyond physical preparations, it’s also paramount to find a good Mental Health professional who can help through stages such as grieving and accepting the need of using a mobility aid or learning how to cope with social anxiety.

From a grieving or acceptance stage to coping with social anxiety of using mobility aids, patients can benefit a lot from speaking with a Mental Health Professional.

If you thought about yourself or a loved one when reading this blog post and believe that a follow up from an Occupational or Behavioral Therapist would help him or her, schedule a Live Video Consultation and Teletherapy Sessions with us at www.acandassociates.com .

Click here to learn more about our Occupation Therapy Sessions.

You can also find us on our Social Media Channels:

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We look forward to helping you and your family through your wellness journey!

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How can Therapy Sessions help children and adults with Learning Disabilities?

Learning disabilities are neurological disabilities that affect information processing. They may affect how a person learns, understands, communicates, and remembers information.

Did you know that although learning disabilities are more commonly identified in children, they can be also acquired later in life?

A person with a Learning Disability may experience problems with reading and/or writing, math, memory, attention, following directions, clumsiness and staying organized. They may feel frustrated that they cannot master a subject despite trying hard, and may act out, act helpless, or withdraw. Learning disabilities can also be present with emotional or behavioral concerns.

At AC&A we offer solutions for patients of all ages with LEARNING DISABILITIES:
–    Whether you believe you (or your loved one) have a Learning Disability or are looking for a second opinion, schedule a Live Video Consultation with one of your Medical Specialists!

–    If you are looking for Evidence Based Customized Therapy Services in the comfort of your home through topnotch Video Conferencing Platform, schedule your Teletherapy Session(s) with one of our highly qualified and experienced Occupational Therapists.

Therapy sessions are customized according to patient’s needs from a variety options to focus on:

  1. Improving organizational skills so you can stay focused on different tasks, and use your time, energy, strength, mental capacity, physical space, etc. effectively and efficiently to achieve desired outcomes.
  2. Increasing attention to a task to help increase attention span and improve overall task performance across all environments through different strategies.
  3. Increasing listening skills to receive and interpret messages in the communication process more accurately.
  4. Understanding your learning type – Visual, Auditory or Kinesthetic? – may help find the most effective strategies to increase beneficial outcomes in both natural and learning environments.
  5. Reviewing individualized education program and the appropriate strategies for getting child’s needs met to learn more about program of special education instruction, supports and services your child needs to make progress and succeed in a school environment. (*For children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Learning Disability, Intellectual Disability and Emotional Behavioral Disability who may have an IEP).

 

Click here to learn more about our Occupation Therapy Sessions.

If you are looking for a diagnosis or any of the options mentioned above, you can schedule a Live Video Consultation and Teletherapy Sessions at www.acandassociates.com .

You can also find us on our Social Media Channels:

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We look forward to helping you and your family through your wellness journey!

 

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TOURETTE’S SYNDROME beyond motor and vocal tics.

A sudden jump, eye-roll, cough, or even a swearing word… These are some of the involuntary tics that characterize and sometimes even stereotype symptoms of a neurodevelopmental disorder called Tourette’s Syndrome.

Tourette’s is a chronic condition that usually starts during childhood. It causes a person to make involuntary sounds and movements called: TICS! Tics can be either Motor (blinking, jerking, shrugging shoulders etc.) or Vocal (humming, yelling a word or phrase, swearing etc.) and are usually worse during stressful or exciting times.

Tics and other symptoms may improve after years or in some cases, go away completely. However, they can also reappear.

Tics are just the superficial characteristics of Tourette’s Syndrome! A person with Tourette’s Syndrome may also suffer from other challenging disorders that are hard to spot by people who are not familiar with this disorder:

  • Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)… is the most common co-occurring condition among children with TS. Children with ADHD have trouble paying attention and controlling impulsive behaviors.
  • Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)… can be easily misinterpreted as a complex tic: Thinking about, saying, or doing something over and over. More than third of people with TS have OCD.
  • Anxiety and Mood Disorders (Depression/Bipolar Disorder)… are more common in TS patients who also suffer with ADHD and OCD. However, mood disorders or anxiety can also be triggered due to emotional distress and loss of self-esteem, which can result from living with TS.
  • Rage Episodes… are more likely to happen with people who have more severe TS symptoms, especially when they are tired or sick. These episodes are unintentional explosive outburst that are out of proportion to the triggering event. The frequency of the outbursts may vary.
  • Sleep Disorders… are common in as many as 60% of people with TS. This can not only be caused by alterations in brain structures or neurotransmitters due to TS, but can also be associated with the ticcing, with conditions like ADHD and depression, and even with medications used to treat TS symptoms.
  • Learning Disorders… may also be cause by co-existing symptoms like OCD or ADHD or can also be developed due to the tics that may disrupt concentration and visual spatial attention, also interfering with reading and writing skills, including handwriting.
  • Speech or Language Disorders… may be associated with vocal tics, such as stuttering for instance.

 

Although TS has no cure, TREATMENT can help manage symptoms and disorders caused by TOURETTE’S SYNDROME:

  • Behavioral therapy –Cognitive Behavioral Interventions for Tics, including habit-reversal training, can help monitor tics, identify premonitory urges and learn to voluntarily move in a way that’s incompatible with the tic.
  • Occupational Therapy – If tics, ADD or OCD cause limitations or interruptions to daily life activities or ‘occupations’ caused by TS, then Occupational Therapy can be beneficial.
  • Psychotherapy – It can help not the patient only cope with TS, but also with other conditions such as ADHD, obsessions, depression or anxiety.

It’s also important to raise awareness in the community in order to avoid misconception and even bullying, which increase the risk of Social Phobia, Anxiety and Mood Disorders for people who suffer with TS.

If you are looking for a diagnosis or any of the Treatment Options mentioned above, you can schedule a Live Video Consultation and Teletherapy at www.acandassociates.com .

You can also find us on our Social Media Channels:

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We look forward to helping you through your journey of healing and wellness!

 

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June 6 is National Cancer Survivor Day!

Today we recognize and celebrate the lives of the more than 43 million people living with and beyond cancer in the world.

According to the National Cancer Survivors Day Foundation, “a ‘cancer survivor’ is anyone living with a history of cancer – from the moment of diagnosis through the remainder of life.”

Did you know that it is possible to detect most cancers early?

About 5 % of cases of cancer could have been detected sooner and treated more effectively. Patient survival rates and quality of life may be significantly improved by early detection, screening, and diagnosis.

Most people present cancer signs or symptoms at the primary care level in the year before their formal cancer diagnosis!

When cancer is detected at an early stage — and when coupled with appropriate treatment—the chance of survival beyond 5 years is higher than when detected at a later stage. In the United States, the 5-year survival rate for women diagnosed with cervical cancer at an advanced stage, is 15%, compared to 93% if diagnosed when the cancer has not spread.

Early detection can also considerably reduce complexity of cancer treatment and its costs. A study from MDPI, for instance, estimates cost savings from early diagnosis in the U.S. at $26 billion per year.

Early consultations with a Primary Health Care Provider and sharing your feelings and symptoms with him or her are crucial to prevent or early detect any sorts of conditions or diseases, including cancer.

 

For more interesting content, you can also find us on our Social Media Channels:

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Or visit our website www.acandassociates.com

 

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Although people who suffer from Borderline Personality Disorder may share some of the same symptoms, they are not all alike.

Impulsivity, moodiness, unstable self-image, inappropriate busts of anger, intense and stormy relationships, self-injury, or thoughts of self-harm… Although people who suffer from Borderline Personality Disorder may share some of the same symptoms, they are not all alike.

Theodore Millon, an APA award winner whose theories helped define how scientists think about personality and its disorders, identified four different subtypes of Borderline Personality Disorder. These subtype concepts might help people with Borderline Personality Disorder and their therapists identify specific areas of concern that require special attention.

While someone suffering from BPD may or may not fall into one of these subcategories, others may even fall into more than one of them. Symptoms may change overtime and manifest differently with individuals.

What exactly are the Types of Borderline Personality Disorder and their individual characteristics?

borderline

  • Impulsive Borderline Personality: People who suffer with Impulsive Borderline Disorder as perceived as thrill-seekers, risk-takers, unpredictable, charismatic, highly energetic, and easily bored. Their endless appetite for attention and adventure often leads them to act without measuring consequences. These individuals often act without thinking and are also susceptible to self-harming behaviors and suicidal thoughts and actions.

 

  • Discouraged Borderline Personality: These individuals tend to seem clingy, co-dependent, and less assertive. Their strong desire for approval and acceptance, and their feelings of inadequacy and inferiority towards others, often make them prone to depression. They are more likely than other types of BDP to use self-harm as a coping mechanism. They can eventually become suicidal if they don’t get the help they need.

 

  • Petulant Borderline Personality: This subtype is characterized by individuals who are critical, pessimistic, impatient, unpredictable, irritable and prone to outbursts of anger or frustration, especially when disappointed by other people. They fluctuate between trusting people and keeping a distance for fear of disappointment. Their feelings of unworthiness and anger can make them be quite explosive. It is really hard for them to admit when they are wrong. They tend to be willful, often stubborn and defensive, using passive-aggressive behaviors as a way of lashing out at people who displease them. These individuals also show symptoms of depression as well as paranoid personality.

 

  • Self-Destructive Borderline Personality: People with Self-Destructive BPD are usually self-hatred introverts who are often co-dependent. They tend to conform to other people’s beliefs and expectations due to a strong fear abandonment.  They share traits of depression. Their self-destructive behaviors can be presented in different ways such as poor healthcare, reckless driving etc.  They tend to have a high rate of suicide.

 

What are the Treatment Options? 

About 70% of people with Borderline Personality Disorder will make at least one suicide attempt during their lifetimes. Finding help in a timely manner can prevent you or your loved one from being part of this statistic.

Although there is no cure for BORDERLINE PERSONALITY DISORDER, therapy and certain medications (such as antidepressants, mood stabilizers and antipsychotics) can decrease the intimidating and overwhelming symptoms of this serious medical disorder. Whether you or a loved one suffer from any of the BPD subtypes presented here, you should find an effective treatment plan.

Visit us now at www.acandassociates.com to schedule a Live Video Consultation with a Medical Specialist who can help reach a diagnosis and find the best treatment plan for you.

You can also find us on our Social Media Channels:

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We look forward to helping you through your journey of healing and wellness!

 

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My child is showing possible signs of Communication Disorders. Where can I find help? – Speech Language Therapy!

95% of parents agree that speech, language, and hearing milestones are some of the most important developmental milestones. However, MORE THAN A QUARTER of concerned parents did not seek help for their child who showed signs of communication disorder, most commonly because they did not know where to go for help.

According to the American Speech and Hearing Association (ASHA), 1 in 4 parents have had concerns about their child’s ability to communicate.

At AC&A, we have an experienced Team of Speech-Language Pathologists (SLP) with highly qualified professionals educated in the study of human communication, its development, and its disorders. They can assess speech, language, cognitive-communication, and oral/feeding/swallowing skills and treat any communication disorders or delays using sensory based techniques and interventions, as a large percentage of the speech and language delay/disorders are rooted in sensory processing delays.

These are some of the strategies used by Speech Language Therapists:

  • Language intervention activities: To stimulate language development, the Therapist will interact with the child by playing and talking, using pictures, books, objects, or ongoing events. The therapist may also model correct vocabulary and grammar and use repetition exercises to build language skills with adults and seniors.
  • Articulation (or Sound Production) Exercises: The Therapist will model correct sounds and syllables in words and sentences for a child, often during play activities. The level of play is age-appropriate and related to the child’s specific needs. The SLP will show the child how to make certain sounds, such as the “r” sound, and may show how to move the tongue to make specific sounds.
  • Oral-motor/feeding and swallowing therapy: The SLP may use a variety of oral exercises — including facial massage and various tongue, lip, and jaw exercises — to strengthen the muscles of the mouth for eating, drinking, and swallowing. The SLP may also introduce different food textures and temperatures to increase oral awareness during eating and swallowing.

 

We feel that these interventions are a crucial part of the traditional therapeutic techniques in achieving the most positive outcomes.

 

If you have noticed any of these signs in your child and need more information or guidance, visit our website to learn more and schedule a Live Video chat with a Therapist.

You can also find us on our Social Media Channels:

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We are here to help!

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Identifying Postpartum Conditions

Symptoms of Postpartum Depression (PPD) affect up to 20% of women who gave birth, had a stillbirth or a miscarriage within the last 12 months.

This silent and severe condition not only impacts a mother’s mental health but also interferes with her ability to care for her baby and other daily basis tasks.

Babies require around-the-clock care, so it’s normal for mothers to feel tired or overwhelmed sometimes. However, Postpartum Depression is a more long-term condition, and it is not the mother’s fault.  Its possible causes vary from physical to emotional factors, such as family changes, lack of rest or sleep, physical pain or discomfort and hormone levels.

Some studies suggest that one of the causes of PPD may be the rapid drop in estrogen and progesterone after delivery. During pregnancy, those hormones levels increase tenfold and drop back to pre-pregnancy levels about only 3 days after labor.

Some factors that might increase the risks of having PPD can be limited social support, marital conflict, ambivalence about the pregnancy, history of depression during pregnancy, history of PPD.

There are three different kinds of Postpartum Conditions that affect the mother’s mental health, which differ in duration, symptoms and severity:

  • BABY BLUES:  A very common condition that affects up to 75% of women after delivery, the Baby Blues usually begins in the first week after delivery and goes away within two weeks without medical treatment. However, it is important to have a lot of support during this phase as well as help with the baby and chores. To help you recover, you should ask and/or accept help from friends and family, sleep and rest much as possible, eat healthy food, go outside for a walk in fresh air. If you are having the Baby Blues, you might experience mild mood changes and feel worried, unhappy and exhausted.
  • POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION: This is a more severe condition than Baby Blues that affects 1 to 10 women after delivery. Mild to severe symptoms of mood swings, crying, irritability, fatigue, guilt, anxiety and inability to care for herself and the baby may appear within days of the delivery or gradually and may last up to a year. Treatment with a psychotherapy is pivotal for recovery.
  • POSTPARTUM PSYCHOSIS:  This is a quite rare and extremely severe form of PPD that affects about 1 in a thousand women.  Postpartum Psychosis requires immediate emergency medical attention, which usually includes the mother being admitted to a hospital as there is a risk of self-harm, suicide and harm to the baby. Symptoms may include delusions, hallucinations, confusion, paranoia, insomnia, paranoia, delusions, hyperactivity, rapid speech, severe agitation, feelings of shame and hopeless.

May is Maternal Health and Mental Health Awareness Month. Let’s help women who suffer from these silent conditions by raising awareness of Postpartum Depressions.

If you are suffering from any of these symptoms or if you know a woman who is, recontact us to reach a diagnosis as soon as possible and initiate treatment.

Click here to schedule a consultation with Mental Health Therapist.

Help a family grow happy and healthy!