Can someone explain to me the job of a developmental therapist?

xxHMxx

I understand physical, speech, and occupational, but what does a developmental therapist do exactly?

akayf

DS gets developmental therapy.    When EI evaluated him at 16 months, his expressive language was determined to be at an 11 month level.   It was determined that at this point, developmental intervention would be best for him.

She comes to the house for a hour a week and plays with him.    She brings a bag of toys.   Activities that she has done with him include parachute play, matching farm animal toys to pictures on a see and say, puzzles, a large peg board, and a pull toy.   She encourages him to repeat sounds and words, make requests, follow simple directions.  She is supposed to be modeling ways we can enourage more language through play but since I'm a special ed preschool teacher, most of the things she does are similar to what I'm already doing.  You would be surprised though at how many parents don't know how to play with their kids!          

xxHMxx

Thanks for the info. I set up an evaluation for DD and I was just trying to understand it a little bit better.

Madringal

Ditto pp.  My MIL is a DT and that's pretty much what she does, gets on the floor and plays with them.  She is looking to see how they interact with her, and what type of skills they have/are learning.  She is also looking to see how the rest of the family is involved.  Do the other kids want to come and play? Are mom and dad engaged in the interactions?