High quality therapy can make the difference for some children between being able to walk and being wheelchair bound, said Lincoln Medical Partners Pediatrician Steve Feder.

Feder has watched as children who were not expected to walk because they were born with a disability not only learned to walk but also to participate in many other activities.

“Early intervention is the key to better function later on. It can make a huge difference in their lives, allowing them to be able to walk and ski and articulate and communicate better,” said Feder.

About one in six children have a developmental disability, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the prevalence of developmental disabilities grew about 17 percent between 1997 and 2008, with the incidence of autism and attention deficit hyperactive disorder increasing 289 percent and 33 percent respectively.

As childhood disabilities have become more common, high quality therapies provided in collaboration with physicians have also become more important, said Feder.

Research shows that therapy is most effective when it starts before the age of three, said LincolnHealth Speech Therapist Jennifer Bryce.

“That time is critical to giving them the boost they need to be ready for school,” said Bryce.

The importance of early intervention is one reason the Wellness and Rehabilitation space at the St. Andrews Campus of LincolnHealth was renovated and expanded last winter and spring, creating new space for non-traditional therapies that can help engage young children

A new pediatric therapy room features a gym that looks like a playground. There is also space for animal assisted therapy, which helps engage children who may be difficult to reach through conventional means by putting an animal at the center of therapy. For example, a child with difficulty producing sounds may practice their “s” sounds by telling golden retriever Finn to sit or stay.

Through a partnership with the Boothbay Region YMCA, LincolnHealth Physical Therapist Jennifer Wolfe is also able to offer pediatric aquatic therapy.

By offering high quality therapies covered by most forms of insurance, including Mainecare, the new services help fill a gap for parents whose children are too young for school-based services but may not qualify for state programs, as well as for parents of school-aged children who don’t meet the criteria for school-based services.

Bryce said that children may outgrow a developmental delay but if parents are not sure if their child could benefit from therapy, it is important that they talk to their doctor.

For more information about pediatric therapies at the St. Andrews Campus, please call 207-633-1928.