Roots to Shoots Pediatric Therapy Clinic

Roots to Shoots Pediatric Therapy Clinic specializes in meeting the therapy needs of children. The space has two treatment rooms, a feeding room and a large therapy gym. The multi-use area creates elements of therapy in a fun and safe environment for children.

The center piece of the gym is a tree constructed by an artist that has completed work for Henry Doorly Zoo, as well as Walt Disney World.  The branches of the life-like tree serve as anchor points for the therapeutic swings, hammocks, and harnesses; while the trunk of the tree is home to a third treatment room called the sensory room. This room contains equipment that allows therapist to control the amount and type of stimulus to which children will be exposed.  The gym also includes a raised platform that partially surrounds the tree.  The platform provides additional treatment space, as well as a destination for children using stairs, ramps, ladders, or rock climbing wall.  The slide provides a quick, fun reward for children to return to the ground level of the gym.

The feeding room is designed to simulate a home kitchen area and will assist children who may have difficulty with the many aspects of feeding or eating. Speech and Occupational Therapists will work with children in this area who have troubles with swallowing or tolerating various food tastes or textures.

Occupational Therapy

Pediatric Occupational Therapy helps children to gain independence while also strengthening skills of development such as fine motor, sensory motor and visual motor that children need in order to function and socialize throughout their day. Occupational therapists evaluate the child’s ability to engage in play and daily routines to challenge and develop skills appropriate for the child’s developmental level. The following are examples of impairments in children who may benefit from occupational therapy services:

  • Difficulty paying attention or following instructions
  • Poor hand-eye coordination to engage in play activities
  • Behavioral disorders or acting out in various environments
  • Inability to use daily items such as pencils, toothbrushes, or feeding utensils
  • Sensory Processing Disorders such as poor tolerance of sounds, smells, or touch
  • Difficulty cutting, writing, stringing or engaging in tasks with both hands
  • Inability to use buttons, tying shoes, zippers, or snaps for dressing
  • Need for use of assistive technology for dressing, toileting, or cooking tasks
  • Need for assistive mobility or seating devices including wheelchairs, high chairs or strollers

Physical Therapy

Pediatric Physical Therapy provides customized care for children with developmental, neuromuscular, or orthopedic conditions to enhance or restore their functional mobility, allowing them to participate in age appropriate activities. Interventions used in physical therapy are aimed at addressing and providing growth in the following areas:

  • Improve balance and coordination
  • Help reach developmental milestones such as crawling and walking
  • Adaptation of daily activities and routines
  • Soft tissue related issues such as torticollis or plagiocephaly 
  • Assess equipment needs and help with proper fitting
  • Improve functional strength to assist with mobility
  • Orthotic and prosthetic management
  • Treat neurological conditions involving either high or low muscle tone impairments

Speech Therapy

Pediatric Speech Therapy treats all aspects of communication throughout a child’s development from first words to socialization and interaction with peers and family. Speech therapists also provide intervention for swallowing to ensure adequate nutrition for growth and development. The following are examples of impairments a speech therapists may address through pediatric therapy:

  • Hearing delays associated with cochlear implants, otitis media
  • Fluency disorders associated with the disruption of the fluency of speech
  • Voice differences associates with pitch, vocal loudness and vocal quality
  • Expressive Language difficulties associates with ability to communicate wants and needs
  • Receptive language difficulties associated with the understanding of spoken or written language
  • Pragmatic language difficulties such as social understanding and appropriate use of language 
  • Childhood Apraxia of Speech
  • Auditory processing and comprehension
  • Tongue thrust
  • Oral motor weakness of the tongue, jaw, lips and facial muscles
  • Articulation difficulties associated with pronouncing sounds to make works

Patient Forms

Please click below to download a fillable PDF of the intake form. Completed forms can be emailed to keller@bchccnet.org, eeddy@bchccnet.org or hwurl@bchccnet.org or simply bring the form to the first appointment. For questions please call the Therapy Department at 402.367.1250.

Roots to Shoots Patient Information Form

The Parkinson's Empowerment Group at Butler County Health targets so many aspects and symptoms of Parkinson’s. It improves a person’s posture, mobility, balance, and coordination, as well as cognition and ability to multi-task. I also like the flexibility of the program and being able to adjust exercises from each position to fit the need of each individual patient.  

Andy Valenti, Physical Therapist Assistant

My strategy in nutrition coaching is to focus on the positive – what things could we add to increase the variety of healthy foods in your routine?  By focusing on adding more healthy choices, you will not feel deprived as you gradually leave out less nutritious choices.  My goal is to help you get a personalized approach to wellness that you can achieve and maintain with your current lifestyle.

Sandra Burwell, Registered Dietitian

Butler County Health has felt like home to me from the beginning of my employment.  I have spent more than 5 years working in an environment that has challenged me to pursue my nursing skills in many different areas such as the Emergency Department, Obstetrics, Inpatient Care, Outpatient Care and as Quality Improvement and Patient Safety Coordinator.

Tara Palensky, RN

BCH Roots to Shoots Pediatric Therapy Clinic eliminates the need for long commutes to distant facilities like Madonna, allowing Aria to maximize her therapy sessions and educational opportunities.  It is significant for Aria’s overall well-being as it reduces the stress and agitation she had from extended travel.  The staff is like our family to us.

Jennifer Prothman

The communication between us and Leia’s Roots to Shoots therapists is excellent.  We are given the tools and resources to practice techniques at home for ongoing progress and development so she can continue to thrive.  The entire staff at Roots to Shoots goes above and beyond what needs to be done; from teaching her to wear something as simple as a mask, to helping her feel comfortable riding in another vehicle like a school bus.  They are our angels.

Stacey Bykerk

I feel having a 3D mammogram was a blessing for me since it detected my Stage 1 cancer.  The technicians were very helpful as they explained how the machine worked compared to the 2D method.  A big difference is that the 3D machines moves above your head from one size to another and gives a more complete image of the breast.  The testing time also seemed shorter than the standard mammogram.

Judy Dubs

I had a bunion on my foot and I wanted it removed,  but I really didn't want to travel too far to have the procedure done.  So when Butler County Health started providing Podiatry Services, I made an appointment right away.  Dr. Carlston is professional and personable.  He took the time to explain what happens during the procedure and afterwards.

Jill Pokorny

Being able to have my blood drawn at Butler County Health saves me a weekly trip to Omaha.  It is simple to schedule an appointment that works with my schedule and the staff is quick and efficient at drawing my blood samples.

Tanner Zeilinger