Our Services
 

At Our Clinic

 

Therapy Services:  Sumlar Therapy is located in Ozark, Alabama, less than 30 minutes from Dothan, Enterprise, Fort Rucker, Troy, and Abbeville.  The 4,000-square-foot pediatric clinic provides child-friendly spaces for speech therapy, occupational therapy, and  physical therapy for children with mild to profound disabilities. A riding arena for hippotherapy

(therapy on horseback) and an aquatic therapy pool are also located on site.  Insurance and Medicaid cover most therapy services.

 

Tutoring Services:  The Study Center offers tutoring and homework help for children of all ages and grade levels, by appointment, with certified teachers and tutors.  Checks, cash, and credit cards are accepted.

 

Services provided

with a prescription from a pediatrician or physician: without pediatrician referral:

·         Physical Therapy (PT)

·         Occupational Therapy (OT)

·         Speech Language Pathology (Speech Therapy)

  Our Clinic Therapists are trained in
Hippotherapy & Aquatic Therapy

Services provided

·         Tutoring

·         Homework Help

·         Preparation for Graduation Exams

 

 

 

In Our Schools

 

Sumlar Therapy contracts with several area school systems to provide much-needed therapy services on site. 
We are the primary providers of therapy listed at the schools below, but we also serve
children in other schools upon request.

 

Physical Therapy in schools

  • Dothan City Schools
  • Houston County Schools
  • Henry County Schools
  • Barbour County Schools
  • Eufaula City Schools
  • Pike County Schools
  • Fort Rucker Schools
  • Enterprise City Schools
  • Coffee County Schools
  • Opp City Schools

  • Elba City Schools

  • Ozark City Schools

  • Covington County Schools

  • Andalusia City Schools

 

Occupational Therapy in schools

  • Henry County Schools
  • Eufaula City Schools
  • Pike County Schools
  • Fort Rucker Schools
  • Enterprise City Schools
  • Opp City Schools
  • Andalusia City Schools
  • Elba City Schools

  • Covington County Schools

  • Ozark City Schools

  • Barbour County Schools

 

Speech Therapy in schools

  • Vivian B. Adams School

 

 

For Our Early Intervention (EI) Programs

 

Physical, Occupational, and Speech Therapy

  • Vivian B. Adams EI in Ozark
  • Vaughn-Blumberg Center EI in Dothan
  • Bright Beginnings (United Cerebral Palsy) EI in Troy
  • South Central EI in Andalusia
  • Others upon request

 

Physical Therapy

Our physical therapists work to help children develop the independence and safety necessary to successfully participate in their environments. Pediatric physical therapy promotes strength, movement, improved range of motion, improved balance, and functional independence at the highest level possible. Physical therapists focus on helping children learn how to move independently or with assistive devices including walkers or wheelchairs. Pediatric physical therapists work with gross motor development, neuromuscular disorders, prematurity, cerebral palsy, amputations, spinal cord injuries, tramatic brain injuries, genetic syndromes, torticollis, positional plagiocephaly (flattened head syndrome), orthotics (braces), adaptive equipment, wheelchair positioning and mobility, motor learning and motor control, and gait training.  Our goal is to make the most of each child’s abilities, as opposed to focusing on their disabilities.  Children may attend therapy for 1-2 sessions, or continue on for many months depending on their age and level of disability.  We specialize in working with children from birth to 21 years of age.

Professional physical therapy education and training is extensive. Areas of study include gross anatomy, advanced neurosciences, psychosocial aspects of disabilities, clinical biomechanics, motor control and movement disorders, neuromuscular pathology and treatment, prosthetics and orthotics, and cardiopulmonary rehab. Physical Therapist (PT) education programs are currently offered at two degree levels: doctoral and master’s. A two-year degree is also offered for Physical Therapist Assistants (PTA).  In addition to advanced educational training, physical therapists and assistants complete specialized clinical rotations and are required to pass a national licensure examination.  Alabama licensure is also required. Physical therapists can work in a variety of settings with people of all ages, including hospitals, nursing homes, outpatient clinics, and schools.Because of their passion for children, our PT’s and PTA’s have chosen to specialize in pediatrics.

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Occupational Therapy

Our occupational therapists provide skilled treatment to help children achieve independence in all facets of their lives. Pediatric occupational therapy promotes skills for the many activities associated with life as a child. Occupational therapists are able to help in areas of fine motor skills; upper body strength and coordination; handwriting; self-help skills such as feeding, dressing, and bathing; sensory integration and processing disorders; cerebral palsy; autism spectrum disorders; following directions and problem solving; visual motor and perceptual skills; attention difficulties; brachial plexus injuries; positioning and adaptive equipment; environmental adaptations; and orthotic and splint selection.  Our goal is to make the most of each child’s abilities, as opposed to focusing on their disabilities. Children may attend therapy for 1-2 sessions, or continue on for many months depending on their age and level of disability.  We specialize in working with children from birth to 21 years of age.

Professional occupational therapy education and training is extensive.  Education includes the study of human growth and development with specific emphasis on the social, emotional, and physiological effects of illness and injury.  Occupational Therapist (OT) education programs are currently offered at two degree levels: doctoral and master’s. A two-year degree is also offered for Occupational Therapist Assistants (OTA).  In addition to advanced educational training, occupational therapists and assistants complete specialized clinical rotations and are required to pass a national licensure examination.  Therapists are also required to be registered in the state. OT's can work in a variety of settings with people of all ages, including hospitals, nursing homes, outpatient clinics, mental health facilities, and schools. Because of their passion for children, our occupational therapists have chosen to specialize in pediatrics.

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Speech-Language Pathology

Our speech-language pathologists (SLP’s), informally called speech therapists, work with the full range of human communication to evaluate, diagnose, and treat speech, language, and swallowing disorders. Speech therapists can help with issues of articulation, expressive and receptive language delays, feeding and swallowing disorders, oral motor skills, fluency, stuttering, pragmatic and social skills, speech apraxia, auditory processing disorders, cochlear implants, autism spectrum disorders, genetic syndromes, cerebral palsy, assistive technology and augmentative communication devices. Our goal is to make the most of each child’s abilities, as opposed to focusing on their disabilities. Children may attend therapy for 1-2 sessions, or continue on for many months depending on their age and level of disability.  We specialize in working with children from birth to 21 years of age.

Speech-language pathologists are required to have either a master’s or doctoral level degree in speech-language pathology before taking a national board examination and completing a supervised Clinical Fellowship Year. Typical areas of study include anatomy and physiology, neurolinguistics, speech science, physical science, human development, psychology, phonetics, social/behavioral sciences, linguistics, and semantics. Therapists with a bachelor’s degree in Communication Disorders can also work in the schools and outpatient clinics.  Our SLP’s are licensed to practice in Alabama and maintain certification by the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association. Speech therapists can work in a variety of settings with people of all ages, including hospitals, nursing homes, outpatient clinics, and schools. Because of their passion for children, our speech therapists have chosen to specialize in pediatrics.

 

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Hippotherapy

 

Provided during Physical, Occupational, or Speech Therapy

Hippotherapy is simply using a horse's movement as a therapy tool, much as Physical, Occupational, and Speech therapists might use a large ball to provide dynamic movement experiences in their pediatric clinics.  The greatest difference, and benefit, lies in the three dimensional movement of the horse's gait, which produces a movement in the human pelvis similar to natural walking.  It also results in an aerobic activity that is motivating to children on many levels.  The goal is not to teach the child how to ride a horse, but is intended to promote strength, balance, and endurance for improved functional abilities in daily living. “Hippo” is the Greek word for “horse.”

The child is positioned on the horse, while being supported by a therapist and led through a variety of fun activities designed to challenge the child.  A horse handler leads the horse.  Neither the child nor the therapist leads the horse, but the therapist may describe the speed, direction, or type of movement desired to the horse handler.  If the child is unable to sit with support, or lacks the head control to do so, then other positions may be used to safely facilitate the child's development.  Children wear safety helmets while riding.   The opportunity to spend time in nature and to develop a relationship with the horse and the therapists is extremely motivating to many children.  Hippotherapy can help many children with physical or cognitive disabilities, whether mild or severe.  Walking, endurance, strength, balance, flexibility, and coordination may improve.  Fine and gross motor skills may increase, as well as the attention span and communication skills of the child.

 

Hippotherapy sessions do not include the use of the horse for recreation or riding instruction.  The therapist will recommend hippotherapy for a part of a child’s comprehensive therapy program based on their therapy goals and treatment plan.  The use of the horse’s movement (hippotherapy) during a speech, occupational, or physical therapy session will be billed just as any other therapy session.

 

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Aquatic Therapy

 

Provided during Physical, Occupational, or Speech Therapy

 

When the appropriate combination of land and water therapy is utilized it creates an increased opportunity for success.  Water offers unique qualities not reproducible in land-based activities.  Treatment activities in the water can help children to organize their movements, focus their attention, improve their breath control, and increase their endurance and strength of large and small muscle groups.  Our speech therapists, physical therapists, and occupational therapists are trained in aquatic therapy techniques.

 

An evaluation is conducted to determine the effectiveness of water therapy and how it may be incorporated with a traditional land-based therapy program. Treatment activities will be selected to help address physical needs such as range of motion, flexibility, strength, endurance, decreased weight bearing status and coordination. Gentle movements allow tight or spastic muscles to relax and accept soft tissue and joint mobilization. The pressure of the water surrounds body parts for increased proprioception.  More speedy movements use the resistance of the water to help children organize their systems, improve their body scheme, and produce more coordinated movements. The buoyancy and viscosity of the water allows more time for movement responses and balance corrections thus enhancing motor learning.  An aquatic therapy session may supplement or replace a land-based session. The use of the pool during a speech, occupational, or physical therapy session will be billed just as any other therapy session.

 

Our aquatic therapy pool is an outdoor, accessible pool.  It is four feet deep with moveable “islands”, allowing for the greatest range of therapeutic activities.  We offer aquatic therapy seasonally, which promotes the natural environment of typical children’s play.  A private changing room and bathroom is available.

 

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Early Intervention

A division of the Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services, Alabama's Early Intervention System (AEIS), provides a coordinated, family-focused system of supports and services. The system is accessible simply by calling the statewide, toll-free Early Intervention Child Find number, 1-800-543-3098 (or TTY 800-499-1816), or by calling the Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services at 334-281-8780.

Families may also enter the program through community EI programs or medical community referrals. Alabama's Early Intervention System was created under the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), the same law that regulates special education services. Early intervention in Alabama promotes a system of services for eligible children and their families by coordinating and supplementing programs and services that are already in place in our state. The federal government, state government, other state agencies, and third-party payers (like private insurance carriers) provide financial assistance for the development and implementation of this system.

Alabama's Early Intervention System is accessible to all eligible infants and toddlers and their families in natural settings chosen by the Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) team, including the family as an active team member. Services for eligible infants and toddlers and their families include:

  • assistive technology devices and services
  • audiology
  • family training
  • counseling and home visits
  • health services (that are not purely medical or surgical in nature)
  • medical services (for diagnosis or evaluation only)
  • nursing
  • nutrition
  • occupational therapy
  • physical therapy
  • psychological services
  • service coordination
  • social work and special instruction
  • speech/language pathology services
  • transportation-related costs
  • vision services

Efforts are made by the service coordinator and other members of the planning team to access appropriate community resources that will assist with the inclusion of the child and family in community life.

Sumlar Therapy is a provider of physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy in the natural environment (homes) for Early Intervention.

http://www.rehab.state.al.us/Home/default.aspx?url=/Home/Services/AEIS/Main

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Schools

 

Sumlar Therapy is a provider of physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy in our area schools.  Students may receive physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy to support them and promote success in their educational environment.  Therapy is often one of many services provided as part of a student’s Individualized Educational Plan (IEP).  Children ages 3 years to 21 years old can seek evaluation and support through their local educational system.

 

For more information contact your local school district or director of special education, or click on one of the links below.

 

Alabama Department of Special Education:

http://www.alsde.edu/html/sections/section_detail.asp?section=65&footer=sections

 

Alabama Department of Education

http://www.alsde.edu

 

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