As parents of a child with a disability, you're likely up to your neck with advice and recommendations. Parents' main problem often isn't lack of knowledge, but, instead, lack of time, energy, and general expert skill required to facilitate the numerous activities. This is where SMILE Therapy for Kids comes in! Although we happily provide parents with home-therapy strategies, that is simply a supplement to our #1 focus during appointments, which is on treatment! We'll utilize the full appointment to lay our therapists' hands on your child, engage your child, stimulate your child, and work with them to get them just that tiny step closer to their goals. If, during your child's appointment, you need to step away and have a break to yourself, we understand. After all, having the most important job in the world (being a special-needs parent) can take a heavy toll, so don't be shy to take a break if you need it. You deserve it! We're happy to provide home-therapy strategies to you at the end of your child's session or even afterwards.
ALL THE THERAPIES YOU NEED,
UNDER ONE ROOF
We understand the stress that parents experience having to run around the city to various appointments with their kids. Having too coordinate many different provider's bookings and availability. It's a lot of work, and, unnecessarily, takes away from that family's ability to progress their child and general quality of life. This is why we've set up to bring as many therapy types as possible under one room. Allowing parents to combine appointments, and/or at the very least, only have to travel to a single place, relieving the stress that comes from going to new environments.
INDIVIDUALIZED THERAPY
PLAN FOR EACH CHILD
You won't find cookie-cutter services or advice here. No matter what your child's diagnosis might be, they are unique and we will look at them as such. We'll assess their specific needs, challenges, goals, and strengths, and, in collaboration with the parents, decide on a therapy plan that will be most fitting specifically for them. No two kids are alike, and hence, no two treatment plans should be either.
THERAPIST-GUIDED, BUT PARENT-LED
Unfortunately, our medical system isn't designed to assist kids whose inch-stones are achieved slowly, or whom sometimes even regress. Our medical system often gives up on our children of high-needs, before it's even gotten the chance to know them. But the parents haven't given up. The parents know their children best and continues to have great hopes for their children. We are here to support you, the parent, achieve whatever hopes and dreams you've set out for your child. We'll never tell a parent that their child "will never be able to ______". It's simply not our place. And we'd be lying if we told you that we know for certain. Nobody does! We'll be here to work with you and support you and your child in achieving your big dreams, no matter how long it takes us to get there. Let's get there together!
To say Smile Therapy has been life changing for our son (and family), is an understatement! Since attending SMILE, we have seen him surpass goals that once felt out of reach. At his Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy appointments, I know that he is receiving the best care and support possible!They also provided us with a Home Therapy Program, which has allowed us to feel like we are continuing to do everything possible to support our son, even outside of his appointments. I have so much love and gratitude for this program and everyone that is involved in it. I truly do not know what we would do without them!
We cannot say enough great things about SMILE and everyone of their team members!!Our daughter is the most risk-adverse child there is and the team quickly got her comfortable with being uncomfortable without any distress. Our daughter looked forward to seeing and hugging everyone each morning and afternoon even when knowing hard work was waiting for her.The team was so accommodating with us being from out of town and allowed us to camp out a bit before our long drive back home. We even made some friends in the lunch room before we left for our drive back to Edmonton which set the tone for our long drive.We love SMILE and will be back in the spring!
I was advised to check SMILE therapy when they opened in Calgary and this was the best advice we could have received. This place its beautiful for the families and kids, all the walls have beautiful themes that call for inclusion, the equipment is new and amazing, but the Best of Smile is their people. We have worked with PT, OT, speech therapist, and massage therapy. Everyone surpassed my expectations. Everyone is so knowledgeable in their areas, and all loving to my son. We truly found an amazing team that cares for my son and pushes him in the right way. As a parent of a child with special needs, I have learned so much with them, they always hear my concerns, don't hesitate in sharing how to replicate the exercises at home, and make sure I go home knowing what to do.
SMILE has and continues to provide amazing care for my son. The clinic is clean and well organized and the staff members are super friendly and are always going the extra mile to accommodate our schedules between what feels like a million medical appointments a week. Having a child with special needs is very stressful without a doubt but SMILE has helped to alleviate some of that stress. I love that they always see the potential in my little cerebral palsy warrior. We would be lost without the guidance and support of our SMILE team.
Game changer! We have been going several times per week for the past few months and the difference it has made for my daughter is astounding. The entire staff there is absolutely wonderful, and have helped her make so much progress in many different areas. SMILE has given my daughter so much independence and confidence, and she now gets so excited when she sees the door to the clinic. She has RAN towards it a few times in her walker. If that isn't a huge testament to the staff and program, I don't know what is! Julie (one of the owners) has created the perfect space to help our children thrive, and she has been so great with communicating with our family every step of the way. Therapy can be tough for kiddos, and the whole team has worked so hard to make sure our sessions are both fun and beneficial for her development. She's made so many big and mini milestones since starting at SMILE, and it's worth every penny. And if you need any more convincing... they now offer both paediatric AND parent massage therapy right in the clinic (parent massages can be done while your kiddo is in their own sessions). What could be better than getting yourself a massage to unwind (and get a mini break!) while you know kiddo is in great hands with the SMILE therapists?