Mental Health
The Mental Health Department emphasizes the treatment of developmental, emotional, and behavioral problems of children and families from birth to age 18. Services offered include individual therapy, family therapy, parent training, and group therapy services. The Mental Health Department is committed to developing and sustaining specialized clinical services, community outreach, and advocacy services, prevention and family support programs, implementation of best practices, and education and training programs.
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)
The mission of the Department of Behavior Analysis is to provide consultation and intervention to caregivers of children with a wide variety of developmental disorders (e.g., autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disabilities). Intervention focuses on empirically based approaches to behavior management and addresses both behavioral excesses (aggression, self-injury, tantrums) and behavioral deficits (compliance, self-help skills, toileting). For children with language delays and behavior disorders, strong emphasis is placed on providing training to develop verbal behavior (vocal and/sign language/augmentative communication devices). Sessions are conducted primarily in the clinic, but also take place in the school and home, when indicated. Education of the caregivers is also considered an integral function of the program.
Speech and Language Therapy
Speech and language therapy is designed to treat speech, language, cognitive-communication, and swallowing disorders in individuals up to age 18 and includes early intervention. Our speech and language therapists function as part of an interdisciplinary team, coordinating findings and recommendations with other professionals. The program also offers treatment focused on helping children and their parents learn strategies for improving functional communication and oral motor or feeding/swallowing skills. Treatment sessions may be offered jointly with other departments, as appropriate.
Occupational Therapy (OT)
Occupational therapy (OT) uses purposeful activities to enhance and facilitate skill development to participate in meaningful activities. Occupational therapy addresses the underlying skills needed to effectively complete meaningful tasks to maximize functional and academic achievement up to age 18 including early intervention. Occupational therapy provides evaluation and treatment to improve children’s fine motor skills, activities of daily living (including eating, dressing, hygiene, toileting, and play activities), oral motor skills, and adaptive seating needs. Occupational therapy focuses on helping children achieve independence in all areas of their lives. When skill and strength cannot be developed or improved, the occupational therapist offers creative modifications and/or adaptations for carrying out meaningful tasks.
Feeding Therapy
Keystone’s Pediatric Feeding Program concentrates on caloric intake deficiencies, abnormal suck and swallow patterns, abnormal eating patterns, and disruptive mealtime behavior. We treat feeding disorders, failure to thrive, obesity, and g-tube dependence.
Assessment
As a part of Keystone’s Department of Mental Health, the outpatient assessment provides evaluations of individuals ranging in age from infancy to young adulthood. All services apply professional expertise to understanding development and function and emphasize targeted treatment recommendations to families, schools, and other professionals in order to maximize each child’s potential.