Occupational Therapy – Community Collaboration

Parent Resources and Charities

  • TEIS occupational therapists and nutritionists partner with breastfeeding centers all over Allegheny County and surrounding areas! New parents and babies may be seen at a breastfeeding center if they are having troubles with breastfeeding, concerns about milk supply, needing support from a lactation consultant or needing breastfeeding supplies. TEIS occupational therapists, nutritionists, and breastfeeding centers collaborated for in-services to learn about mother’s role in breastfeeding, baby’s role in breastfeeding, oral motor concerns related to breastfeeding and more! TEIS occupational therapists and nutritionists are also educated on when to refer families to breastfeeding centers to help best meet the needs of the families and children we serve. TEIS occupational therapists and nutritionists are educated on preparing families for breastfeeding center appointments and supporting them through the process.
  • TEIS occupational therapists are well informed of local charities and resources to support our families. We are happy to refer to organizations such as Wings for Vincent, Reagan’s Journey, Variety the Children’s Charity of Pittsburgh, and The Free Store to name a few.
  • The Genesis House of Pittsburgh allows TEIS occupational therapists to provide monthly in-services to expectant and new mothers, allowing screenings and early collaboration if further supports through Early Intervention services are needed. During these collaborations therapists and parents are able to discuss any developmental concerns as well as provide listening support to parents. Occupational therapists at TEIS collaborate with Kids Plus Pediatrics New Mom’s Coffee group to provide Q and A sessions monthly to discuss motor skills and any developmental concerns, making referrals as needed for Early Intervention services.
  • TEIS occupational therapists incorporate technology and play an active role on social media to offer families support beyond typical early intervention sessions. For the last year, TEIS occupational therapists have been offering services to families through a HIPAA secure platform “Zoom” while we wait for the safe return of face-to-face services. TEIS occupational therapists collaborate with TEIS physical therapists to run a Parents Supporting Parents support group, allowing support for families after sessions. TEIS occupational therapists are also leading a Facebook group for parents, caregivers and families of children with sensory processing difficulties where information is shared, resources are offered, questions are answered and support is provided between its members.

Daycares and Learning Centers

  • TEIS occupational therapists partner with Keystone Stars Childcare providers across Allegheny County. Keystone STARS is a quality rating system that promotes quality improvement in early learning and development programs and school-age childcare. TEIS occupational therapists educate childcare providers in a 2-hour in-service on collaborating with early intervention providers, supporting development in a childcare setting, and making their programs more inclusive. TEIS occupational therapists and Keystone Stars Childcare providers work together to support the families and children we serve in these critical periods of development from birth – 3 years of age.
  • Your TEIS therapist will be eager to support you and your child in any day care, community, or learning center and will partner with those caregivers to help meet your child’s needs.

Pediatricians and Specialists

  • TEIS occupational therapists and nutritionists partner with Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) specialists in Allegheny County and surrounding areas! Children birth – 3 years of age may be seen by ENT for removal of tonsils and adenoids, placement of ear tubes, tongue/lip ties or hearing examinations. TEIS occupational therapists and nutritionists participate in in-services regarding evaluation, treatment, and diagnosis of different disorders and challenges that can be addressed by an ENT specialist. TEIS occupational therapists and nutritionists are also educated on when to refer families to ENT to help best meet the needs of the children we serve. TEIS occupational therapists and nutritionists work to provide ongoing communication with ENT specialists to ensure continuity of care and offer the family continued support.
  • TEIS occupational therapists and nutritionists partner with feeding clinics and feeding teams in hospitals and outpatient settings! Children with feeding challenges may be seen by a feeding clinic or feeding team if they have medical, structural, developmental, behavioral or psychosocial challenges with eating. TEIS occupational therapists and nutritionists participate in in-services regarding evaluation, treatment, and diagnosis of different feeding challenges. TEIS occupational therapists and nutritionists are also educated on when to refer families to feeding clinics and feeding teams to help best meet the needs of the children we serve. TEIS occupational therapists and nutritionists are educated on preparing families and children for feeding team appointments and supporting them through the process. TEIS occupational therapists and nutritionists work to provide ongoing communication with feeding specialists to ensure continuity of care and offer the family continued support.
  • TEIS occupational therapists and nutritionists partner with airway clinics in hospitals and outpatient settings! Children birth – 3 years of age may be seen by an airway clinic if they have swallowing problems, sleep apnea, acid reflux or aerodigestive disorders. TEIS occupational therapists and nutritionists participate in in-services regarding evaluation, treatment, and diagnosis of different disorders and challenges airway clinics work with. TEIS occupational therapists and nutritionists are also educated on when to refer families to airway clinic to help best meet the needs of the children we serve. TEIS occupational therapists and nutritionists work to provide ongoing communication with airway specialists to ensure continuity of care and offer the family continued support.
  • TEIS occupational therapists and nutritionists partner with Gastroenterology (GI) specialists in Allegheny County and surrounding areas! Children birth – 3 years of age may be seen by a GI specialists if they are experiencing gastroesophageal reflux (GERD), feeding disorders, constipation/diarrhea, allergies, poor growth and more. TEIS occupational therapists and nutritionists participate in in-services regarding evaluation, treatment, and diagnosis of different disorders and challenges GI specialists work with. TEIS occupational therapists and nutritionists are also educated on when to refer families to GI to help best meet the needs of the children we serve. TEIS occupational therapists and nutritionists work to provide ongoing communication with GI specialists to ensure continuity of care and offer the family continued support.
  • TEIS occupational therapists and nutritionists partner with Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICU) in Allegheny County and surrounding areas! Newborn babies may spend time in the NICU if they are born premature, have low birth weight, have health problems or had a difficult birth. TEIS occupational therapists and nutritionists have collaborated with NICU specialists to ensure early intervention services are offered and the intake process begins while you are still admitted. Your TEIS therapist will be eager to support you and your child once you are discharged from the NICU and headed home.

Do you have QUESTIONS about YOUR BABY’S development?

Contact TEIS Early Intervention Provider
412-271-8347
Or Text INFO to 412-543-8398