Tami Nelson, OTR/L
Written by Tami Nelson, OTR/L, Registered Occupational Therapist
NorthLakes Community Clinic- Ashland Downtown Clinic & Iron River Clinic
NorthLakes Community Clinic (Published 10/2017)
Have you ever noticed your child having challenges with attention? How about trouble completing motor tasks or sensitivity to sensory input like loud noises or certain textures? If so, your child may benefit from skilled occupational therapy services. So now you may wonder, “where can I take my child to get these services without having to drive too far?” Pediatric occupational therapy services are offered through NorthLakes Community Clinic at our locations in Iron River and Ashland.
Occupational Therapy (OT) addresses the occupations of an individual’s life that they require assistance with. At NorthLakes our occupational therapist works with pediatric patients to assist them with activities of daily living, including learning academics, self-care, social skills and peer interactions.
Services are now being offered twice per week at our Iron River clinic on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Services offered at this clinic include sensory integration, postural/core development, reflex therapy, motor skill development, oral motor development, visual perceptual development, self-care skill development, and home programming. OT treatments can be very fun, creative, interactive and positive for children.
Common diagnoses/challenges our occupational therapist works with are: attention deficit disorders, autism spectrum disorders, fetal alcohol syndrome, genetic syndromes/Down Syndrome, learning disabilities, sensory disorders, pediatric mood/regulation disorders, obsessive compulsive disorder, motor coordination difficulties and visual perceptual deficits.
If you are noticing your child struggling with paying attention, having a constant need for movement, difficulty self-regulating, challenges completing self-cares, or challenges with motor skills, then occupational therapy could be very helpful. What is the next step? Make an appointment with your primary care provider. A physician referral is required to start the process of an evaluation. We would love to help you improve your child’s quality of life.
NorthLakes provides care to those with Medicaid, those with private insurance (such as Anthem/Blue Cross, Security Health, and many others) and those without insurance. We also provide a Sliding Fee Scale, a federal program that enables us to discount health care services rendered at our locations. The Sliding Fee Scale Program is available to all patients who qualify based on income level, regardless of insurance status.
NorthLakes Community Clinic has clinic locations in Ashland, Balsam Lake, Hayward, Iron River, Minong, Turtle Lake, and Washburn. NorthLakes locations offer: medical, dental, behavioral health counseling, Psychiatric Medication Management, Recovery Services (substance abuse/AODA counseling/Medication Assisted Treatment), Chiropractic, Pediatric Speech Therapy, Pediatric Occupational Therapy, and prescriptions for patients.
Clinics are open Monday through Friday. NorthLakes accepts Medicaid/Badgercare, Medicare and Private Insurances such as Medica, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, HealthPartners, and more. For more information visit http://northlakesclinic.org. NorthLakes is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.
