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  • How do I get started with bringing my child to the Canadian Centre for Development?
    We advise that Calgary-based families start out by booking First Appointment with one of our practitioners, which would include an assessment and treatment plan built for the child. If a family is unsure of which practitioner to choose, we encourage them to give us a call at 403-206-7466 and we can assist.
  • My child doesn't have a diagnosed disability, should I still take him/her to therapy if I notice that they're behind on reaching some milestones?
    Anytime a parent is concerned, it's worth bringing the child in to be seen by a pediatric physiotherapist, occupational therapist, and/or speech language pathologist. They can then assess and provide the parent with guidance around what's the best way to proceed. Often seeing a therapist even for a couple of appointments can assist a child that's slightly behind on their milestones get all caught up, plus it's an immensely educational experience for the parent too.
  • Where is the Canadian Centre for Development located?
    We're located in beautiful Calgary, Alberta at 5970 Centre St S (a short 5 minute walk from Chinook LRT station and a 2-minute drive from the intersection of Glenmore Trail and MacLeod Trail).
  • Is my child too young to be seen by a pediatric physiotherapist, occupational therapist, or speech-language pathologist?
    Children as young as 1 month old can start partaking in physiotherapy. Typically, occupational therapists will start working with children at about age 1. And speech language pathologists will typically start seeing kids once they turn 2.
  • How long should I wait after SDR surgery to return to therapy?
    Therapy can be pursued 4 weeks post-surgery, as long as medical guidelines are followed.
  • How long should I wait after BOTOX treatment (for spasticity) to return my child to therapy?
    Post-Botox treatment no major recovery is required. A child can return to therapy 1 day after treatment.
  • My child has motor delays. Should I focus on physiotherapy or occupational therapy for my child?
    For optimum outcomes, Occupational Therapy should be paired with Physiotherapy. The Occupational Therapist will address the vestibular system, and it is the vestibular system that drives our motor system.
  • Do I need a referral for my child to be seen at the Canadian Centre for Development?
    No, you do not. Everyone is welcome.
  • How do I know which therapy services my child needs?
    Each child is unique, and we tailor therapy plans based on meeting your child and conducting assessments. If you’re unsure where to start, we recommend booking a First Appointment with one of our therapy team members, where we’ll evaluate your child’s strengths, challenges, and goals to determine the most effective therapy plan. Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists, Speech-Language Pathologists, Pediatric Massage Therapists and Behaviour Therapists are available to assess your child and provide input on the best path forward regarding their therapeutic intervention.
  • What is Trexo Robot, and how does it help children?
    Trexo Robotics is a state-of-the-art robotic-assisted gait trainer designed to help children with mobility challengesdevelop proper walking patterns, alignment, and endurance. This cutting-edge device provides repetitive movement training, stimulating neuroplasticity and reinforcing muscle memory, making it an invaluable tool for children with cerebral palsy, spinal cord injuries, and other neuromotor conditions. At the Canadian Centre for Development, we house a medium-sized Trexo Robot, which is available for children to use during physiotherapy sessions as well as through dedicated Trexo sessions. This unit typically accommodates children aged two to seven years, though precise measurements will be required to determine if it's a fit for your child. For more information on how your child can benefit from the Trexo Robot, please contact us at the Canadian Centre for Development. We’d be happy to assist you!
  • Is intensive therapy right for my child?
    Intensive therapy is highly beneficial for children with cerebral palsy, spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), Down Syndrome, Rett Syndrome, brain injuries, genetic disorders, and developmental delays. If your child struggles with mobility, fine motor skills, communication, or self-care tasks, they may benefit from an intensive therapy program. Please contact us and we'd be happy to provide guidance and coming up with a fitting Intensive Therapy plan to meet your child's needs. More information about Intensive Therapy at the Canadian Centre for Development can be found here.
  • What are intensive therapy blocks, and how do they work?
    Intensive therapy blocks involve daily therapy sessions over a set period (typically 1–4 weeks) to maximize progress in a shorter time. These sessions are customized to your child’s needs and may include physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, robotic-assisted gait training (Trexo), and Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES). Research shows that intensive therapy leads to faster and longer-lasting improvements compared to traditional weekly sessions. At the Canadian Centre for Development, we offer Intensive Therapy blocks year round and accept children of all ages, from 6 months up to 18 years of age. To read more about Intensive Therapy at the Canadian Centre for Development, please view our webpage on Intensive Therapy as well as read our Intensive Therapy Blog Post.
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