Occupational therapy (OT) is the only profession that helps people across the lifespan to do the things they want and need to do through the therapeutic use of daily activities (occupations). Practitioners enable people of all ages to live life to its fullest by helping them promote health, and prevent—or live better with—injury, illness, or disability.
Since October 2018, Sky’s the Limit Pediatric Occupational Therapy LLC has nestled itself productively at 217 South Duke St., Suite 103, in Shepherdstown (WV). The private clinic specializes in OT services for children aged infant to 18. The mission is to help young people develop the skills they need in the areas of fine and visual motor coordination, motor planning, body awareness, sensory modulation, focus, self-regulation, social skills, and organization—in order to succeed in significant childhood occupations such as school, family life, play, and relationship building.
Using a trauma-informed approach, OT services provided at Sky’s the Limit align with the literature supporting best practice in the areas of dynamic systems, sensory integration, trauma, polyvagal theory, whole brain learning, family systems, brain-based behavior, multisensory learning, neurological plasticity, and motivation.
Owner Amy Childers uses evidence-based practice guidelines to intervene using novel experience, social participation, and therapeutic relationship to help her patients. Celebrating her first year in practice this month, Childers looks back fondly on a 20-year career in the field that, after turning 50 herself, became a motivation to finally make good on a dream.
“I’ve always had the idea of a private practice in the back of my mind, and when I turned fifty, I realized that I should do it now,” she explained. “We started looking for a space that could work and we eventually found one here in Shepherdstown.”
In starting her own business, Childers knew that, if nothing else, she wanted to address and hopefully solve an established industry challenge in the region. “I realized through the years, and especially working in schools, that there just weren’t any outpatient services for anyone without traveling across state lines—far away,” she said. “That’s extremely hard for families, and especially for those with young people with disabilities. So I really just pictured a small, general pediatric practice that serves kids where I live and gives back to the community. I also wanted to provide a sensory-integration component—which is what people often seek out on a private basis.”
There will be a ribbon-cutting for Sky’s the Limit on October 18, from 5-7pm. The community is encouraged to attend and find out more.
For more information, and to set up a consultation, call 304-671-8535 or email flyclimbsky@gmail.com.
By Staff Contributor