I often get asked questions regarding a child’s specific diagnosis and what it does or does not mean for the child. This is such a good question, and I wanted to further discuss and explain it. A diagnosis can represent a lot of things; for some, it can be a scary and uncomfortable thing which raises a lot of questions and concerns. For others, it can provide some relief and some answers, as it helps us understand why our child may be developing in a certain way, in addition to ways we can help our child. At the end of the day though, a diagnosis is just a term used to help provide some understanding for us; it is not a defining characteristic of the child. When given a diagnosis it can help a child (or adult) by providing them with more resources. For example, some insurance companies will not provide services (Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy, Physical Therapy, etc.) unless a child has a diagnosis. This can be a way for an insurance company to verify that a child does, in fact, need services. Having a diagnosis can also help a child receive more services in the school setting, such as giving them sensory breaks throughout the day and providing them with specific resources and supports so they can better learn and understand the information presented in school. A diagnosis does not define the child and does not dictate their future. 
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There can sometimes be a stigma when a diagnosis is given, and it can cause us to make assumptions and jump to conclusions. For example – My child was diagnosed with ADD so that means they will not be able to sit still and focus in class, and they will get bad grades as a result. Or my child was diagnosed with a Developmental Delay, so they are always going to fall behind their peers. I encourage you to stop yourself if you feel yourself going down this rabbit hole. A diagnosis can help us understand how we can better help our child, but the diagnosis does not necessarily dictate how that child will act, grow, or develop. Simply because everyone is different, they grow and develop in different ways. Regardless of what diagnosis a child has, every child wants to play, grow, learn, and love – a diagnosis does not take this away from them.

Make sure to subscribe to our blog (at the top right of the page), as new blogs are added on a weekly basis.
 
If you have any specific questions or anything you would like me to write about please email me at blog@goflowoccupationaltherapy.com
 
See you soon!
Michael Jankowski, MS, OTR/L

Hello Flow Family,
 
Here is part 2 of our 2-part post giving you more information about Flow Occupational Therapy’s Core Values. 
 
As stated in Flow Occupational Therapy’s mission statement, Flow Occupational Therapy was started with two simple, yet powerful goals in mind; to educate & to empower. At Flow Occupational Therapy our core values center around giving you the skills so you can empower the children around you. Just as life changes, so do your and your child's needs. At Flow Occupational Therapy our motto of "moving with the needs of your child" represents exactly that - adapting and changing as the needs of your child and family change. In addition we give you support, education and empowerment in the process.
 
Educate & Empower – plainly and simply those are two powerful and essential themes for us that guide the decisions Flow Occupational Therapy makes on a daily basis. Flow Occupational Therapy was made to educate you so you can make the best decisions for you, your child, and your family, in addition to giving you the tools so you feel empowered and able to do so.
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At Flow Occupational Therapy we realize that life is constantly changing. Things that were a priority in the past and worked in the past may not work or be a priority now. In addition, items that are working now may not always work or be a priority in the future. As life changes so do our needs, wants, and desires – it is the same for our children and others in our families. As lives and needs change, Flow Occupational Therapy will adapt and move with the needs of your child – much like a wave does in the ocean. You might have realized through our logo and webpage that we have a theme here at Flow Occupational Therapy, that has to do with waves and the ocean. A wave was picked as the emblem for Flow Occupational Therapy because a wave is symbolic as it is constantly moving and changing but does not stop. While a wave’s size, direction, and shape may change, it is still moving forward. Flow Occupational Therapy wants to give you the tools, education, knowledge, and empowerment so you can adapt as you and your child’s needs change and continue to move forward. 
  
As always, if you have any specific questions or anything you would like me to write about please email me at blog@goflowoccupationaltherapy.com
 
See you soon!
Michael Jankowski, MS, OTR/L

Hello Flow Family,
 
I wanted to give you some more information about Flow Occupational Therapy's Mission Statement. This is part 1 of a 2-part post, so remember to check back later in the week for the 2nd part of this article. Also make sure to subscribe to our blog (at the top right of the page), as new blogs are added on a weekly basis.
 
As stated in Flow Occupational Therapy’s mission statement, “Flow Occupational Therapy provides resources, education, and consultation services about parenting and caring for special needs children. Whether there are sensory concerns, behavioral concerns, concerns regarding engagement in school and the community, or concerns regarding a specific diagnosis (Autism Spectrum Disorder, Sensory Processing Disorder, Attention Deficit Disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, etc.) Flow Occupational Therapy is here to help, guide, and educate you in the process of getting your child the help, guidance, and services they need.”
 
I wanted to break that down even further and help give you some insight into the principles that guide Flow Occupational Therapy and the services that we provide. Flow Occupational Therapy is here to help you make sense of and understand the ins and outs of caring for a child with special needs. Guiding and helping you through every step of the process, from understanding diagnoses to answering questions about what services are best for a child, we will help you come up with strategies so a child can achieve success in the home, school, and the community. At Flow Occupational Therapy we provide consultation services, education, and resources so you can make informed decisions that are best for you, your child, and your family. Whether you are a parent, relative, sibling, or a friend, at Flow Occupational Therapy we understand that there are many questions regarding parenting a special needs child. We want to provide you with a central location that provies access to easy to understand information.
 
If you have any specific questions or anything you would like me to write about please email me at blog@goflowoccupationaltherapy.com
 
See you soon!
Michael Jankowski, MS, OTR/L

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Hello to my new Flow Family. I am so excited that you are taking the time to read this. I encourage you to stick around and see all that Flow Occupational Therapy offers, and make sure to subscribe to our mailing list so we can keep you updated on all the exciting new things to come. The Flow Occupational Therapy Blog will be updated on a regular basis, and this space will be filled with useful information and resources. If you have any specific questions or anything you would like me to write about please email me at blog@goflowoccupationaltherapy.com

I started Flow Occupational Therapy with 2 goals in mind; to educate & to empower. I want to give you skills so you can empower the children around you, and so you can move with the needs of your child. In my time as a therapist, I have come to realize that change is constant, whether that change happens internally, externally, with our families, with our children, with our environment, or with our needs. Tips and strategies that have worked in the past may not always work, and things that don’t seem possible to us now may one day happen. Therapy and Therapist can move and adapt as you do. This is just the beginning for Flow Occupational Therapy and I am so excited!

See you soon!
Michael Jankowski, MS, OTR/L
blog@goflowoccupationaltherapy.com