Figuring out the best support for your child can feel overwhelming. If your child has a new diagnosis or is missing milestones, you might not know where to start. Getting help early is the absolute best way to help them reach their full potential.

At Therapy Smarts, we have a team of experts ready to help. With two convenient locations in Durham and Chapel Hill proudly serving the Triangle, we make it easy to get the care your child needs close to home. 

This guide explains the exact therapies we offer, the conditions we treat, and how we can support your family’s daily life. 

1. Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Therapy

For kids with autism, ABA Therapy is a highly trusted treatment. We don’t use strict, boring clinics. Instead, our FUNction Junction program is based on play in a natural preschool setting.

• Main Diagnosis Treated: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
• How It Helps: We use positive rewards to teach helpful skills. Kids learn how to pay attention, follow group rules, share their feelings, and calm down. By learning with other kids, they make friends naturally and have fewer behavior struggles.

2. Speech and Language Therapy

Communication is how we connect with the world. Our Speech Therapy does much more than fix a lisp. We help kids find their voice, whether they speak words out loud or use a device.

• Main Diagnosis Treated: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Dysarthria (weak mouth muscles), Apraxia, Stuttering, Language Delays, Down Syndrome, and Feeding issues.
• How It Helps: Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs) help kids make clear sounds and learn social rules, like reading body language. If a child does not speak, we teach them to use pictures or talker devices to share what they need and want.

3. Dyslexia Therapy & Reading Support

Struggling to read can hurt a child’s confidence. Regular school tutoring is not always enough. Our Dyslexia Therapy gives kids the exact tools they need to succeed in school.

• Main Areas Treated: Dyslexia, reading problems, spelling struggles, and trouble sounding out words.
• How It Helps: Dyslexia just means the brain processes words differently. It has nothing to do with how smart a child is! We use proven methods to help kids connect letters to sounds, so they can read, write, and spell much better.

4. Occupational Therapy (OT)

A child’s “job” is playing, learning, and taking care of themselves. If these things are hard for your child, Occupational Therapy can help.

• Main Areas Treated: Sensory Processing Disorders, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), ADHD, and fine motor delays.
• How It Helps: OT focuses on independence. Therapists help kids handle things that overwhelm their senses, like loud noises or scratchy clothes. They also build hand strength for writing, buttoning shirts, and using forks and spoons.

5. Physical Therapy (PT)

While OT helps with small hand movements, Physical Therapy focuses on big movements. It makes sure kids can move around their world safely.

• Main Areas Treated: Gross motor delays, low muscle tone, Cerebral Palsy, Torticollis, Muscular Dystrophy, and sports injuries.
• How It Helps: PT builds a strong core, balance, and coordination. Whether a toddler is learning to walk or an older child is struggling to keep up on the playground, PT uses fun activities to help them move better and avoid injuries.

6. Mental Health Therapy & Testing

Mental health is just as important as physical health. We offer testing and Mental Health Therapy to help kids manage their feelings.

• Main Diagnosis Treated: ADHD, Anxiety, Behavioral struggles, Depression, and anger issues.
• How It Helps: We provide official testing for autism and ADHD so you know exactly what is going on. We also teach older kids how to handle stress. For young kids (ages 2-7), we offer Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT). This coaches parents live on how to handle big tantrums and build a stronger bond with their child.

Pediatric Therapy Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. How do I know if my child needs therapy? You should get an evaluation if your child is consistently missing milestones (like not walking or talking on time). You should also reach out if they have extreme reactions to everyday sounds or textures, frequent meltdowns, or trouble making friends.

2. What is the exact difference between Occupational Therapy (OT) and Physical Therapy (PT)? PT focuses on big movements like running, jumping, and walking. OT focuses on small hand movements, handling sensory issues, and daily life skills like getting dressed and writing.

3. Does Therapy Smarts treat Dyslexia and Dysarthria? Aren’t they the same? We treat both, but they are very different! Dyslexia makes it hard to read and spell. Dysarthria is caused by weak mouth muscles, making it physically hard to speak clearly.

4. What makes your ABA therapy different from others? Instead of sitting at a desk doing boring tasks, our ABA Therapy happens in a fun preschool setting. Kids learn by playing, allowing them to practice social skills with their peers in a natural way.

5. How long will my child need to be in therapy? Every child is different! Some kids just need a few months of physical therapy to fix how they walk. Other conditions, like Autism or ADHD, might need longer support. Your therapist will create a custom plan and keep you updated on their progress.

Get the Support Your Child Deserves Today

Figuring out what your child needs shouldn’t be a stressful guessing game, and you don’t have to navigate this journey alone. Whether you are looking for speech therapy, an official autism evaluation, or play-based ABA, Therapy Smarts is here to guide your family every step of the way.

Because we offer all of these services under one roof, your child gets a complete, team-based approach to their care. We are proud to serve families all across the greater Triangle area with two convenient, welcoming pediatric clinics in Durham, NC and Chapel Hill, NC.

Getting started is easier than you might think:

1. Reach Out: Give us a call or fill out our online form. Our friendly team will listen to your concerns and answer your questions without any pressure.
2. We Check Your Insurance: Worried about coverage or confusing paperwork? We take care of that for you! Our team will verify your insurance benefits before you even walk through our doors.
3. Schedule an Evaluation: We will match your child with the right specialist to figure out exactly where they need support.

Don’t wait to get the answers you need. The sooner you begin, the faster you will see your child grow, communicate, and succeed.

Ready to take the first step? Book Your Child’s Evaluation Online Today