First Steps Through TPP: Making a Difference Where It Matters Most
Written By: Amy Wolcott M.S., CCC-SLP
You probably know that The Pediatric Place has clinic locations in Clinton and Knob Noster. You might know that TPP therapists serve children in local school districts. But did you know that our therapists also have the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of kids directly in their home and community environments? The Pediatric Place works with Missouri First Steps to provide early intervention services to families in our area, right where they live! We spoke to some of our physical therapists to learn about their experiences serving families directly in the community through First Steps. Here’s what they said!
Services Are Provided in a Meaningful Environment
“Working with families at home allows me to meet children exactly where they are most comfortable,” said TPP physical therapist Paige Gunter. “That context makes it easier to teach meaningful strategies that truly work for the family.”
TPP co-owner and physical therapist Jessi Frencken agrees. “I have always enjoyed serving clients in their natural environment because this is what they are going to use every day so it is especially easy for me to demonstrate real-life examples,” she said. “If they have hardwood floors for example, then we have to problem solve together how to slow down the push toy as they learn to walk so they can practice each day. When we do that in their natural environment, it empowers caregivers to become natural problem solvers for their children’s needs.”
Teamwork Is the Name of the Game
In any therapy environment, it is vital that service providers and caregivers work together to support progress. The caregiver-therapist relationship flourishes in home-based early intervention services.
“First Steps allows me to support not just the child, but the whole family,” Paige explained. “It’s a model that values parents as experts on their child and empowers them to be active partners in the therapeutic process.”
Jessi values the relationships she is able to form with the families she serves through First Steps as well. “When I work in early intervention I get to become part of their family because I am immersed in their home,” she said. “Siblings, dogs, and grandparents all become part of every treatment session. I learn what is important to the family and can more easily incorporate those routines into treatment strategies.”
Progress Is Life-Changing
When children meet goals in any environment, it’s cause for celebration. In the First Steps setting, therapists get the unique opportunity to witness how that progress impacts the child’s life at home and in the places that mean the most to them.
Jessi remembers working with a family whose child was born with spina bifida and had no movement in her lower extremities. “We spent several months just working on learning to sit,” she said. “Once she learned to sit and pivot on the floor, I knew she was ready for the real fun to begin.”
Jessi put the client in “the tiniest wheelchair made,” and within the first session, the child had learned how to propel the chair forward on her own.
“The look on her face, when she discovered for the first time that she could move her body the way her peers could, was priceless,” Jessi remembers. “From that point on she was unstoppable. She quickly got her own full-size wheelchair, mastered the ability to transfer in and out of it on her own, and by the age of three was completely independent in community mobility.”
It’s the Perfect Extension of TPP’s Mission
TPP’s mission is to provide collaborative care for successful futures to children in our community through the core values of compassion, collaboration, empowerment, accountability, and innovation. The First Steps setting provides a unique opportunity to carry out that mission.
“Early intervention aligns perfectly with the mission of TPP because it is designed to empower children and their families by coaching them through treatment strategies and encouraging them that they really are capable of providing the best therapy for their child,” Jessi explained.
“The family-centered approach beautifully aligns with TPP’s mission to empower children and their families through innovative practices and collaboration within our company and community partners,” Paige agreed. “Ou staff are compassionate and held to a high level of accountability to produce the best outcomes for those we serve.
Are You a Pediatric Therapist Looking for a Setting Where You Can Make a Difference?
“Working at TPP offers a truly unique opportunity because you’re not limited to just one type of pediatric setting,” Paige said. “You get to build a diverse, well-rounded skill set across clinics, First Steps, and schools. Each environment brings its own pace, personality, and style of teamwork, and together they create a really fulfilling balance in your week.”
“I tell every therapist to try each setting type,” Jessi added. “You never know what you might enjoy the most. It makes you a better practitioner when you can work in a variety of settings comfortably.”
Click here to learn more about career opportunities at TPP!
