Pediatric Therapy Near Me: Resources for Sauk County Families
This article is part of our ongoing partnership with Reedsburg Area Medical Center to connect local families with trusted health information and resources close to home.
Most parents have had that moment.
Maybe your child isn’t talking as much as other kids their age. Maybe they’re struggling with certain textures, sounds, or everyday tasks. Maybe a teacher, doctor, or family member has raised a concern.
Or maybe it’s simply a gut feeling that something isn’t quite right.
Knowing where to turn next can feel overwhelming, especially when many families assume they’ll need to travel to Madison for evaluations, therapy, or specialized support.
But right here in Sauk County, Reedsburg Area Medical Center has grown into one of the largest pediatric rehabilitation programs among rural hospitals in the area, helping children and families access services closer to home.
I recently spoke with Sandra Jewell, RAMC’s Rehab Director, who has been with the organization for 34 years. We talked about the program’s growth, the types of children they serve, and what local families should know about the resources available right here in our community.
What Pediatric Therapy Services are Available at RAMC?
The department has grown significantly over the years. What once started with a single speech therapist has expanded into a much larger pediatric-focused team.
RAMC’s Pediatric Rehabilitation Department now includes:
- Speech
- Occupational Therapy
- Physical Therapy
- Dynamic Movement Intervention (DMI)
The team is continuing to grow even now with additional speech and occupational therapists being added this year.
What Types of Children Benefit From Pediatric Rehab?
RAMC works with children with a wide range of developmental, physical, sensory, and communication needs.
Some of the children they support include kids with:
- Autism
- ADHD
- Down syndrome
- Cerebral palsy
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Developmental delays
- Genetic disorders
- Sensory processing challenges
- Low muscle tone
- High muscle tone
- Speech and feeding difficulties
They also work with children who may not yet have a diagnosis but are struggling with everyday developmental milestones.
Signs Your Child May Benefit From Therapy
Sandra shared that parents are often the first to recognize when their child may need additional support, even if they can’t quite put their finger on why.
The pediatric rehab team encourages families to trust their instincts and talk with their child’s provider if they have concerns.
Signs your child may need additional help include delayed speech, stuttering, avoiding textures or sounds, trouble with pretend play, difficulty with fine motor skills, or difficulty keeping up with peers their age.
The team emphasized that early support can make a huge difference for many children.
The Pediatric Therapy Space Was Designed for Kids
In 2021, RAMC remodeled to create a pediatric rehabilitation space after seeing a major increase in pediatric therapy needs. The area includes items such as a climbing wall, swings and sensory equipment, private therapy rooms, trampolines, fine motor activity spaces, kid-sized tables and chairs, and more.
And they’re already expanding again.
RAMC is currently renovating additional space across the hall to create even more room for pediatric services and family-friendly waiting areas.
One detail I especially loved hearing about was that the new waiting room will include calming bubble lights and interactive features designed to help children feel comfortable before therapy sessions even begin.
Another fun touch is that one of their athletic trainers creates large chalk drawings for children to color while they wait for appointments.
It’s clear the goal is to create an environment that feels welcoming and supportive for families.
Specialized Pediatric Therapy Programs in Reedsburg
RAMC has also continued investing in specialized pediatric therapy training that families may not expect to find locally.
One example is Dynamic Movement Intervention (DMI), a therapy approach often used for children with Down syndrome, acquired brain injuries, low muscle tone, or developmental delays. The therapy focuses on improving movement, posture, and motor control through intensive movement-based exercises.
The Occupational Therapists received training in NISE-STIM which is a therapy modality used with children that have neuromotor impairments (Spina Bifida, cerebral palsy, Brachial Plexus, hypotonia) to promote improved functional movements. In addition, the Speech Therapist recently added training in dyslexia intervention support and LSVT (intensive speech therapy for children with conditions such as Down syndrome or cerebral palsy).
They seek to help children improve communication, movement, and independence while also giving parents tools they can continue using at home.
Pediatric Developmental Support Close to Home
Another important part of the program’s growth has been the addition of expanded developmental evaluation support through Dr. Low, RAMC’s child psychologist.
The pediatric rehab team shared that families seeking autism or ADHD evaluations often face extremely long waitlists in larger cities.
Having additional support available locally may help some families begin receiving answers, services, and support sooner.
The team also works closely with schools, Birth to 3 services, and parents/caregivers to help children receive more consistent support across different environments and provides exercises to work on outside of therapy.
Pediatric Rehab Services for Sauk County Families
This program has continued growing because local families truly need these services and because the department is always looking to see what they can offer and improve.
For parents navigating speech delays, developmental concerns, sensory challenges, or diagnoses that can sometimes feel overwhelming, having pediatric therapy services available closer to home can make an enormous difference.
And for many Sauk County families, that support may be much closer than they realize.
A special thank you to Reedsburg Area Medical Center for partnering with Sauk County Mom Collective to help local families access reliable information and resources close to home.
Looking for more family health and parenting resources? Be sure to explore our other articles created in partnership with RAMC, shared below.
