Comparison of Good Beginnings in Falls Church and Children's Therapy Center in Springfield?

[lionjill]

If you have experience with either one, do you mind sharing your thoughts? We're looking for PT and OT for our DS with genetic orthopedic complications, and we would love to make "the drive" (coming from Alexandria near Old Town) only once to get both therapies at the same location if possible. Both Good Beginnings and Children's Therapy Center offer both PT and OT services, and both appear to take insurance.
Did you like the therapist/s? Felt they were knowledgable on current therapy techniques? Were you consistently seen on time for your appointments? Did you consistently see the same therapist, or did you meet with a host of changing therapists?
Any feedback is greatly appreciated, thank you!

[Anonymous]

I haven't used Good Beginnings but it has been recommended to me for OT by two separate people now (a psychologist and a speech therapist). Unfortunately it's kind of far from us, so I am not totally sure what I am going to do yet.

[Anonymous]

My son was at the Children's Therapy center for almost 2 years. Overall was good first year but then his therapist left and neither of new ones we tried after really worked for us. I didn't really like how they gave parent feedback though, was in a crowded waiting area and I would have preferred a little more private and maybe even written notes from time to time. It was pretty far from my house and due to my job change, the new insurance was not accepted.

[lionjill]

Very helpful so far, thank you! Both are far (20 min) from us too, so we want to make sure it's worth the drive.
PP, written feedback is so important for follow up! That's a good note.

[Anonymous]

I had a good experience at Good Beginnings as well. Two kids and a couple different therapists. All very hard-working and kind.

[Anonymous]

I have 2 kids with SN and spent several years at Children's Therapy Center for OT/PT/ST. We had therapists we preferred but I can't recall any that weren't good. We didn't have an issue with parent feedback because we were in the therapy room for all therapy. It was a great opportunity for us to see how our kid was doing, areas of challenge, what the therapist did and how we could incorporate what we learned into our daily routine - or to do homework. Your DC is unlikely to make good progress if therapy only happens in the therapy room. It needs to carry over into the home environment. It's not any different than, say, learning to play an instrument via private lesson but never practicing at home. You may learn to play it but not very well and it will take longer.

One thing you need to consider no matter where you go, will your insurance pay for more than one therapy at the same place on the same day? Ours wouldn't - meaning, we could have ST and OT on the same day for the same kid. Because our kids needed multiple therapies, we were there twice a week. Also, depending on your kid's challenges, you need to make sure he won't be too tired after one therapy session to benefit from the second. Our kids found it tough to do therapy back to back and, therefore, got less benefit from it. I know how much you'd like to minimize the time you spend ferrying/waiting, but it's something you should consider.

[Anonymous]

We went to CTC for speech for a year. I loved it--they were super about scheduling us a standing appointment that worked with our limited availability (as a teacher, I couldn't take time off every week, it had to be before/after school). The therapists were all wonderful and kind and knowledgeable. I miss it--they were so encouraging and helpful (but I guess the fact that he "graduated" out is a sign of that!)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have 2 kids with SN and spent several years at Children's Therapy Center for OT/PT/ST. We had therapists we preferred but I can't recall any that weren't good. We didn't have an issue with parent feedback because we were in the therapy room for all therapy. It was a great opportunity for us to see how our kid was doing, areas of challenge, what the therapist did and how we could incorporate what we learned into our daily routine - or to do homework. Your DC is unlikely to make good progress if therapy only happens in the therapy room. It needs to carry over into the home environment. It's not any different than, say, learning to play an instrument via private lesson but never practicing at home. You may learn to play it but not very well and it will take longer.

One thing you need to consider no matter where you go, will your insurance pay for more than one therapy at the same place on the same day? Ours wouldn't - meaning, we could have ST and OT on the same day for the same kid. Because our kids needed multiple therapies, we were there twice a week. Also, depending on your kid's challenges, you need to make sure he won't be too tired after one therapy session to benefit from the second. Our kids found it tough to do therapy back to back and, therefore, got less benefit from it. I know how much you'd like to minimize the time you spend ferrying/waiting, but it's something you should consider.

A lot of therapists do not want you to stay. Ours have always asked that we leave. And they've been great about sending homework. Also, some allow co-treats for OT/ST, which my son actually liked. It helps some kids to focus on ST if they're in motion. We went to Exceptional Children's Center and have found it to be OK. Its kind of a factory. We also did speech at Children's Speech and Language Services in Falls Church and they are incredible. I can't say enough about how awesome.

[Anonymous]

I know our son's therapist had us stay sometimes to show us stuff to try with him at home but usually our child did better when we were not there in room.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have 2 kids with SN and spent several years at Children's Therapy Center for OT/PT/ST. We had therapists we preferred but I can't recall any that weren't good. We didn't have an issue with parent feedback because we were in the therapy room for all therapy. It was a great opportunity for us to see how our kid was doing, areas of challenge, what the therapist did and how we could incorporate what we learned into our daily routine - or to do homework. Your DC is unlikely to make good progress if therapy only happens in the therapy room. It needs to carry over into the home environment. It's not any different than, say, learning to play an instrument via private lesson but never practicing at home. You may learn to play it but not very well and it will take longer.

One thing you need to consider no matter where you go, will your insurance pay for more than one therapy at the same place on the same day? Ours wouldn't - meaning, we could have ST and OT on the same day for the same kid. Because our kids needed multiple therapies, we were there twice a week. Also, depending on your kid's challenges, you need to make sure he won't be too tired after one therapy session to benefit from the second. Our kids found it tough to do therapy back to back and, therefore, got less benefit from it. I know how much you'd like to minimize the time you spend ferrying/waiting, but it's something you should consider.

A lot of therapists do not want you to stay. Ours have always asked that we leave. And they've been great about sending homework. Also, some allow co-treats for OT/ST, which my son actually liked. It helps some kids to focus on ST if they're in motion. We went to Exceptional Children's Center and have found it to be OK. Its kind of a factory. We also did speech at Children's Speech and Language Services in Falls Church and they are incredible. I can't say enough about how awesome.

We were never asked to leave therapy at Children's Therapy Center, in fact, we were encouraged to watch. We also did ST at CSLS in Springfield and were in the therapy room. I understand it's not typical for them but it wasn't an issue. We've been with them now for 5 years.

[Anonymous]

I wasn't happy with GB. After the eval with Fern every time we scheduled it was with a different therapist. Children need consistency. They need to be able to build trust with their therapist. Would not recommend.