What is Bloom?

Bloom Therapy Collective is a pediatric occupational and speech therapy private practice currently focused on providing services in communities west of Denver, Colorado. Our goal is to expand and offer a wide range of therapy services to better meet the needs of children and families. With plans to establish a physical location, we are excited to grow our offerings and create a welcoming space where children can receive comprehensive care tailored to their individual needs.

Founded by Hannah and Lauren at the end of 2024, Bloom has a vision to create a holistic hub for therapy services that put children and families at the heart of everything. Starting small, Bloom will soon grow to meet the diverse needs of the community, ensuring children not only receive the care they need but also thrive with confidence. The collective’s approach is centered on making every child feel seen, valued, and empowered to reach their full potential, fostering growth in a supportive, compassionate environment.

Pediatric Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapy (OT) in a pediatric clinic focuses on helping children develop the skills necessary for daily activities, or "occupations," such as playing, learning, socializing, and taking care of themselves. These activities are crucial for a child's growth and development. Pediatric OTs work with children who may have physical, sensory, cognitive, or emotional challenges that impact their ability to function in various settings, such as at home, in school, or in the community.

Key Components of Pediatric Occupational Therapy

Assessment: OTs evaluate a child’s strengths and needs through observations, tests, and input from caregivers.
Treatment Planning: Based on the assessment, individualized goals are set to address motor, sensory, cognitive, emotional, or social skills.
Therapeutic Interventions:

Fine Motor Skills: Activities like handwriting or buttoning clothes.
Sensory Integration: Helping children manage sensory sensitivities or seek sensory input.
Self-Care: Teaching independent tasks like dressing or eating.
Emotional: Helping children develop coping skills and regulate emotions.
Social Skills: Activities to improve communication and interaction.

Family Support: OTs educate parents on how to support therapy goals at home.
Collaboration: OTs work with other professionals (e.g., speech therapists, physical therapists, and teachers) to address the child’s needs holistically.

Pediatric Speech and Language Pathology

Pediatric speech and language pathology is a specialized area of therapy focused on helping children develop effective communication skills. Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) assess, diagnose, and treat difficulties related to speech sounds, understanding and using language, social communication, fluency (such as stuttering), and feeding or swallowing. The goal is to support each child’s communication abilities so they can succeed in daily activities, learning, and social interactions.

Key Components of Pediatric Speech Therapy

Assessment:
SLPs evaluate a child’s communication strengths and needs through observations, standardized tests, play-based interactions, and caregiver input.
Treatment Planning:
Based on the assessment, individualized goals are developed to address speech sounds, language skills, social communication, fluency, voice, or feeding needs.
Therapeutic Interventions:
- Speech Sound Production:
  Practicing specific sounds and patterns to improve clarity and intelligibility.
- Language Development:
  Building receptive and expressive language skills, including vocabulary, grammar, and comprehension.
- Social Communication:
  Supporting conversational skills, turn-taking, understanding social cues, and building functional interactions.
- Fluency:
  Helping children manage stuttering through techniques that promote smooth, relaxed speech.
- Voice and Resonance:
  Improving vocal quality, pitch, and resonance to support healthy, effective communication.
- Feeding and Swallowing:
  Developing oral-motor skills, safe swallowing, and positive feeding experiences.
- AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication):
  Introducing and supporting tools like picture systems or communication devices when speech alone isn’t sufficient.
Family Support:
SLPs coach caregivers on strategies to support communication and feeding during daily routines.
Collaboration:
SLPs work with other professionals (e.g., occupational therapists, physical therapists, educators, and medical providers) to support the child’s development holistically.