5970 Centre St S, Unit 100 Calgary, AB, T2H0C2
Formerly known as SMILE Therapy for Kids Calgary
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Neonatal, Infant and Pediatric Assessments
Neonatal, Infant and Pediatric assessments provide valuable insights into a child’s motor, sensory, and neurological development, helping professionals and caregivers support optimal growth and early intervention where needed.
Prechtl General Movement Assessment (GMA)
Hammersmith Infant and Neonatal Neurological Assessment (HINE)
Movement Assessment Battery for Children (3rd Edition) - "Movement ABC"
Beckman Oral Motor Assessment
Orofacial Myofunctional (Myology) Assessment and Treatment
Toddler Sensory Profile 2
Concussion Assessment and Treatment
Feeding Assessment
Prechtl General Movement Assessment (GMA)
The Prechtl General Movement Assessment (GMA) is a standardized tool used to assess the neurological development of infants, focusing on their spontaneous movements. Designed for infants from birth to around 20 weeks of age, the GMA helps identify early signs of neurological concerns, such as cerebral palsy, through the observation of specific movement patterns. This non-invasive, video-based assessment is widely used due to its high predictive accuracy and ability to support early intervention efforts.
Key points about the Prechtl General Movement Assessment:
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Early Detection: GMA is highly effective in identifying neurological disorders, especially cerebral palsy, often months before traditional assessments.
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Age Range: The assessment is typically performed from birth (including pre-term) up to 20 weeks post-term.
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Focus on Movement Patterns: Observes an infant's spontaneous and involuntary movements, focusing on qualities like fluidity, complexity, and variability.
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Non-Invasive: Conducted through video recordings, minimizing stress for infants and families.
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Research-Backed: Recognized globally as one of the most reliable early assessments for predicting motor impairments in infants.
Using the GMA, healthcare providers can initiate early support plans, optimizing developmental outcomes for at-risk infants.
The General Movement Assessment (GMA) is generally considered most effective for assessing neonatal infants, particularly for detecting early signs of cerebral palsy (CP) and other neurological conditions. The GMA evaluates the quality of spontaneous movements, such as "writhing" and "fidgety" movements, which are highly predictive of neurological health. Research indicates that the GMA can identify CP and other motor abnormalities with a high degree of accuracy as early as several weeks after birth, making it particularly valuable for early intervention as part of neonatal care.
The GMA and Preemie and Micro-preemie Screening
Hammersmith Infant and Neonatal Neurological Assessment (HINE)
The Hammersmith Infant and Neonatal Neurological Assessment (HINE) is a clinical tool used to assess neurological function in infants, particularly those at risk for developmental disorders. Suitable for use from birth through 24 months, the HINE helps identify potential motor and neurological abnormalities early in development. It evaluates several aspects of neurological function, supporting healthcare providers in early diagnosis and intervention planning.
Key points about the Hammersmith Infant and Neonatal Neurological Assessment:
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Age Range: Designed for infants from birth to 24 months, covering a critical period of neurological development.
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Comprehensive Evaluation: Assesses multiple domains, including cranial nerve function, posture, movements, tone, and reflexes, to provide a broad view of neurological health.
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Early Detection: Valuable for identifying conditions like cerebral palsy and other neurological disorders, facilitating earlier support for at-risk infants.
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Structured Scoring: Uses a scoring system that enables clinicians to track development over time, helping to monitor progress or identify emerging concerns.
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Widely Used: Recognized as a reliable and validated tool in both clinical practice and research, especially for infants with a high risk of developmental delays.
By using the HINE, healthcare providers can deliver early and targeted interventions, maximizing developmental outcomes for infants showing signs of neurological concerns.
Movement Assessment Battery for Children (3rd Edition) - "Movement ABC"
The Movement Assessment Battery for Children (Movement ABC) is a widely used tool for evaluating motor skills and identifying movement difficulties in children. Targeted for ages 3 to 16, the Movement ABC assesses fine and gross motor skills, balance, and coordination, providing valuable insights into a child’s motor development. This assessment supports early identification of Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) or Dyspraxia and other motor-related challenges, enabling timely intervention.
Key points about the Movement ABC Assessment:
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Age Range: Designed for children from 3 to 16 years, covering critical stages of motor development.
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Comprehensive Motor Skill Evaluation: Assesses fine motor skills (like hand-eye coordination), gross motor skills (such as ball skills), and balance.
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Structured Tasks: Includes a series of age-appropriate tasks to evaluate key areas of motor functioning.
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Screening for DCD: Commonly used to identify developmental coordination disorder (DCD) or Dyspraxia and other motor impairments, supporting early intervention.
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Practical Applications: Used by healthcare providers, educators, and researchers to track motor development and tailor interventions for children’s specific needs.
The Movement ABC helps professionals understand a child’s motor abilities, supporting customized strategies to improve coordination, balance, and overall physical confidence.
Beckman Oral Motor Assessment
The Beckman Oral Motor Assessment is a comprehensive evaluation tool designed to assess the strength, range of motion, and coordination of the oral musculature. Developed by Debra Beckman, MS, CCC-SLP, this assessment focuses on identifying specific challenges in oral motor function, such as difficulties with lip, cheek, jaw, and tongue movements, that can impact speech, feeding, and swallowing. By systematically observing and measuring these motor responses, clinicians gain valuable insights into each individual's unique oral motor abilities.
This assessment is crucial for developing targeted, effective intervention strategies to improve oral motor skills, supporting better outcomes in speech therapy, feeding therapy, and overall oral health. For children with developmental delays, the Beckman Oral Motor Assessment provides a clear pathway to personalized therapy and rehabilitation.
When to Seek an Oral Motor Assessment:
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Feeding Difficulties: Struggles with chewing, swallowing, or excessive drooling during meals.
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Speech Delays: Limited clarity in speech sounds, difficulty articulating words, or overall delayed speech development.
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Oral Aversion: Strong resistance or refusal to try new textures of food or difficulties transitioning from bottle to solid foods.
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Neurological Conditions: Diagnosed with conditions like cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, or stroke, which can affect oral motor control.
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Muscle Tone Issues: Observations of low or high muscle tone in the mouth area that impact feeding, speaking, or overall oral function.
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Excessive Drooling: Frequent, uncontrolled drooling that persists beyond typical age ranges.
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Jaw or Tongue Movement Challenges: Notable difficulty moving the jaw, lips, or tongue, impacting tasks like sucking, blowing, or making facial expressions.
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Dental Concerns: Ongoing concerns about teeth grinding, open-mouth posture, or challenges with using orthodontic appliances.
If you or your child experience any of these symptoms, an oral motor assessment can help identify the underlying issues and guide a personalized treatment plan.
Orofacial Myofunctional (Myology) Assessment and Treatment
Orofacial myofunctional disorders are patterns of muscle dysfunction in the mouth, face, and jaw that can disrupt essential oral functions like chewing, swallowing, speaking, and breathing. These disorders often manifest as improper tongue posture, mouth breathing, or inadequate lip seal. Left unaddressed, Orofacial myofunctional disorders can lead to challenges such as speech delays, misaligned teeth, and other dental or facial concerns.
An orofacial myofunctional assessment is a comprehensive evaluation designed to identify and analyze patterns of muscle function and posture in the mouth, face, and jaw. This assessment examines key factors such as tongue posture, lip seal, swallowing mechanics, breathing patterns, and the coordination of oral and facial muscles during various activities. It may also involve reviewing dental alignment, speech articulation, and overall facial structure. The goal is to pinpoint any abnormalities or dysfunctions, such as improper tongue placement or mouth breathing, that may contribute to orofacial myofunctional disorders. Based on the findings, a personalized treatment plan, often involving orofacial myofunctional therapy, is developed to address these issues and support improved oral function and overall health.
Signs and Impact of Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders:
OMDs can affect individuals of all ages and may contribute to:
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Difficulty with speech articulation.Issues with chewing and swallowing.
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Dental problems like overbites, underbites, or crowded teeth.
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Chronic mouth breathing, which may impact overall health and development.
Treatment: Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy
Treatment for Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders typically involves Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy (or also called Orofacial Myology), a specialized approach focused on retraining the muscles of the face and mouth.
This therapy includes targeted exercises designed to:
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Improve tongue and lip posture.
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Strengthen oral and facial muscles.
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Encourage proper breathing and swallowing patterns.
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Support healthy oral habits.
Toddler Sensory Profile 2 Assessment
The Toddler Sensory Profile 2 is an assessment tool used to understand the sensory processing patterns of toddlers aged 7 months to 35 months (2 years and 11 months old). This tool helps identify sensory preferences and potential challenges in daily activities, such as play, eating, and social interaction. By evaluating how a child responds to sensory input, the Toddler Sensory Profile 2 supports early intervention strategies tailored to each child's unique sensory needs.
Key points about the Toddler Sensory Profile 2 Assessment:
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Age Range: Specifically designed for toddlers from 7 months to 35 months (2 years and 11 months old), during a key period of sensory development.
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Sensory Processing Patterns: Evaluates how a child processes sensory information across multiple domains, such as touch, movement, and sound.
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Supports Early Intervention: Helps identify sensory processing difficulties early, allowing caregivers and professionals to implement targeted strategies.
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Parental Input: Uses a caregiver-completed questionnaire to provide insight into the child’s sensory responses in familiar settings.
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Individualized Approach: Aids in creating personalized sensory support plans that enhance participation in daily activities.
The Toddler Sensory Profile 2 is a valuable tool for parents and professionals, offering insights that promote positive sensory experiences and support developmental milestones.
Toddler Sensory Profile and Autism Diagnosis
The Toddler Sensory Profile 2 can be a useful tool in identifying sensory processing differences that may be indicative of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). While it is not a diagnostic tool for autism, the assessment helps to identify atypical sensory responses that are often associated with ASD, enabling professionals to refer toddlers for further evaluation when needed.
Here's how the Toddler Sensory Profile 2 contributes to autism screening:
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Identifying Sensory Processing Patterns: The assessment evaluates how toddlers respond to sensory stimuli across various domains, such as tactile (touch), auditory (sound), and proprioceptive (body awareness). Children with autism often have heightened or diminished responses to sensory input, and the profile can capture these patterns.
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Highlighting Sensory Challenges and Preferences: The results of the assessment can reveal sensory behaviors common in children with autism, such as sensory seeking, sensory avoidance, or sensory under-responsivity. For instance, children with ASD may have strong reactions to certain textures or sounds, or they may engage in repetitive movements to self-soothe.
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Guiding Observational Follow-Up: When the Toddler Sensory Profile 2 indicates unusual sensory processing patterns, it can prompt caregivers and clinicians to observe other behaviors that may be associated with autism, such as difficulties in social engagement, communication, and adaptability to change.
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Supporting Early Intervention: Early identification of sensory processing challenges can allow families and professionals to implement sensory-focused interventions, which are often beneficial for children with ASD. Early support helps improve social, communication, and behavioral outcomes.
While the Toddler Sensory Profile 2 does not diagnose autism, it plays an important role in early screening by highlighting sensory processing patterns that may warrant further evaluation.
Concussion Assessment and Treatment
Concussion assessment and treatment in children are essential due to the unique vulnerability of young, developing brains. Unlike adults, children’s brains are still maturing, making them more susceptible to both immediate and long-term effects of concussions, including cognitive, behavioral, and emotional challenges. Accurate, early assessment helps ensure that symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, and difficulty concentrating are identified promptly, allowing for appropriate treatment and rest, which are crucial for recovery.
Without proper management, a concussion can lead to prolonged symptoms or even “second-impact syndrome,” a potentially life-threatening condition if another concussion occurs before the first has fully healed.
Timely intervention and tailored recovery plans, including gradual return-to-play and return-to-learning protocols, help protect a child’s neurological health and promote a full recovery, minimizing the risk of ongoing impairment or developmental setbacks.
Feeding Assessment
A feeding assessment by a Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) is a comprehensive evaluation designed to identify and address difficulties related to feeding, swallowing, and oral motor function.
This assessment typically involves observing your child during a mealtime to assess their ability to chew, swallow, and manage various food textures and liquids. The SLP will evaluate factors such as posture, muscle coordination, sensory responses, and any signs of discomfort or aspiration.
Additionally, the assessment considers your child’s developmental history, feeding routines, and any medical or behavioral concerns that might impact feeding. Based on the findings, the SLP will provide personalized recommendations and strategies to support safer, more effective feeding and promote positive mealtime experiences for both your child and your family.
