Providing high quality therapy as soon as a developmental issue is identified can greatly improve a child’s chances for success, according to the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, especially if children are reached before the age of three.
With a physical therapist, occupational therapist, registered dietician and two speech therapists, the St. Andrews Campus offers a team-based, family-centered approach and specialized equipment designed to help children develop and enhance their skills so they can reach their highest potential.
The pediatric therapy room features a gym that looks like a playground. There is also space for animal assisted therapy, which helps engage children who may be challenging to reach through more conventional means.
Occupational Therapist Courtney Machado, coordinator of the Pediatric Therapy team, said the sooner children begin therapy, the sooner they can begin to develop the skills that will help them interact with peers and be successful in school.
As an occupational therapist, Machado works with children who may have delays in developing fine motor or gross motor skills. Machado said it is important that parents discuss any concerns they have about their child’s development with their primary care provider.
“Children can come in at any age, any time. Parents can contact us to schedule a complete and comprehensive evaluation,” said Machado.
Physical therapist Pamela Ford, DPT, said that by helping children learn to dribble a ball and develop other physical skills, therapists hope to help them not only overcome developmental delays but also better interact with their peers.
One common problem for young children is the inability to coordinate the left and right sides of their body. Ford said that therapy to help children coordinate movement is most effective when they are young and their brains are growing fastest.
Speech therapist Marisa Small SLP, said that because the therapy team has the ability to coordinate services, they can provide several different therapies in one location and also educate parents on strategies they can use to help their children at home.
“From birth to five there is a huge growth in language skills,” said Small. By helping improve communication skills, therapy can also help children better manage behavior.
Registered Dietitian Elisabeth Mills, RD, LD, said helping children who are either overweight or underweight achieve a healthy weight can have long-lasting effects. About 17 percent of children age 2 to 19 are obese, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Helping children develop a healthier diet can greatly lower their risk of a number of disease processes and also help their social interaction, said Mills.
Parents who believe their child may have a developmental delay should contact their primary care provider for a referral. LincolnHealth accepts most insurances. Parents who have a questions or a concern can also call a therapist at the St. Andrews Campus at 633-1928.

• Physical Therapist Pamela Ford, PT, DPT, has a doctorate in physical therapy and bachelor’s in kinesiology. She has experience in outpatient, sports and athletic rehabilitation. She currently sees children in Boothbay area and Damariscotta schools as well as in St. Andrews Campus Wellness and Rehabilitation Department.
• Speech Therapist Marisa Small, SLP, has about 14 years experience as a speech therapist, working with elementary age children and preschoolers. She has also worked with adults who have speech problems related to stroke, memory deficits or language deficits. She also has experience working with children who have swallowing issues and providing speech therapy through teletherapy via computer.
• Registered Dietitian Elisabeth Mills, RD, LD, taught nutrition to children and families through the University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension and through the Cooking Matters program, which offers nutrition education and basic cooking techniques and recipes to children and families. She currently works with patients on the Miles and St. Andrews Campus of LincolnHealth providing both inpatient and outpatient nutrition counseling.
• Occupational Therapist Courtney E. Machado, MS, OTR/L, has worked as an occupational therapist in hospital settings with both adults and children and has experience working with children with sensory processing disorder, movement delays as well as a variety of neurological conditions such as autism spectrum, cerebral palsy and Down syndrome.