Talk the talk. Walk the walk. This is the essence of Urban Speech & Occupational Therapy (USOT).
Since its foundation by a pediatric speech-language pathologist three years ago, USOT has become one of the Twin Cities’ leading providers of individualized speech therapy. Today its six speech therapists guide children toward fluency with the utmost skill and compassion. Luka the sunny faced therapy dog also lends a paw (amazingly, as her own linguistic skills aren’t good).
Here’s the thing about pediatric speech-language pathology: you don’t spend years studying it because you find phonemes, morphemes and fricatives so very, very interesting. You only make it your life’s work if you’re compelled to help beautiful, innocent children.
“In addition to speech, many of our clients come to USOT for support with everyday activities and developmental skills,” said Julie Urban, M.S. CCC-SLP. “Gross motor skills, like running or climbing up stairs; fine motor skills, like eating with utensils or getting dressed; if a child experiences challenges or delays in these everyday tasks, they are able to develop through occupational therapy.
“That’s why we added two occupational therapists to our team last year. They’re teaching the balance, coordination and motor planning a child needs in order to catch up to their peers, achieve greater independence, and become more confident in their ability to navigate the world.”
Swings. Slides. Monkey bars. A trampoline, climbing wall, and technicolor ball pit. The USOT sensory gym is filled with a variety of sensorimotor equipment that allow children to explore and grow in a safe and therapist-guided environment. It’s a supportive and habilitative setting for children to build life skills in. It’s also where you’ll find Lauren Schmidt, OTD, OTR/L.
“Learning new skills. Reaching new milestones. Building new relationships. Occupational therapy helps kids do all of these wonderful things. It’s the most uplifting career I could have hoped for,” said Lauren.
“In occupational therapy, ‘occupations’ are everyday activities that give your life meaning and purpose. In addition to bathing, toileting, eating, sleeping, dressing and learning, a child’s main occupation is play. That makes sense, because play is a primary way children develop.
“To the passive observer, occupational therapy might look indistinguishable from regular playtime. If a child and I build an obstacle course and take turns completing it together, they’re having fun – but just as importantly, these types of activities can be integrated to build executive functioning skills through generating ideas, attending to visual schedules, building sequences, and solving problems. Obstacle courses also provide opportunities to practice modulating sensory input, regulate emotions, strengthen balance, coordination, and motor planning.
USOT therapists see clients with a variety of backgrounds and abilities including autism spectrum disorder, Down syndrome, ADHD, developmental delay, sensory processing challenges, and more. They help each client achieve their goals, build life skills, and feel more successful in their day-to-day activities.
To USOT therapists, the most rewarding feeling is seeing a child take a step, self-advocate, feed themself, tie their shoes, or invite a peer to play for the first time. Helping children feel success, meaning, and connection in their daily lives is what they do, starting at even the most basic levels, such as joint attention. The USOT team’s passionate therapists provide child-centered therapy that supports clients and their families through the most pivotal stages of their lives.
Urban Speech & Occupational Therapy welcomes children of all ages and abilities to its clinic at 6409 City West Parkway, Suite 206 in Eden Prairie. Please visit urbanspeechmn.com to learn more, or call (952) 500-8871 to schedule an initial consultation for your child.
“Learning new skills. Reaching new milestones. Building new relationships."