Making a Difference: Hope Pediatric Therapy

Hope Pediatric Therapy

When the World Says ‘Give Up’ ... Hope Whispers ‘Try It One More Time’

by Lori Just

Bartlesville Hope Pediatric Therapy is a team of local therapists with a mission to provide HOPE to families who may feel helpless and overwhelmed when they receive unwelcomed diagnoses, and struggle with their child’s developmental delays.

When Bartlesville Hope opened their doors two years ago, there was no pediatric therapy clinic offering occupational therapy, physical therapy, and speech therapy in one place for children and families. Families had to drive out of town for these services. Bartlesville Hope wanted to provide a team approach to therapy — coordinating services with their physicians, families, children, and therapists to holistically serve each child as their unique self.

“We have a team of experienced pediatric therapists that provides speech and language therapy, feeding therapy, physical therapy, and occupational therapy for ages birth through 20,” said Laura Rix, OTR/L and owner & founder. “We strive to be experts in our fields, providing the best up-to-date and evidence-based treatment.”

The biggest challenge Bartlesville Hope has overcome in the last two years — besides the pandemic — was growing pains. Nix took her time to seek and hire the very best pediatric therapists who are passionate and invested in serving their clients to the best of their ability.

“Our greatest success is truly watching our clients meet milestones and overcome challenges every single day,” she said. “We have grown and expanded to provide more local services, and each child’s progress brings us immense joy. We also pride ourselves on interdisciplinary mentorship, which builds learning within our amazing team and in turn helps us meet the diverse needs of the children we see.”

Therapists evaluate a child by their own unique and individual differences and strengths. A therapy plan is built based on those strengths that meets families where they are and developes goals that continue providing just-right challenges for each child.

“My daughter, Bridie, age three, was referred to Bartlesville Hope by our doctor when she was a year-old and having milestone delays,” said Katie Russell. “They really are as invested in my child as I am, and it feels good to have that kind of support system outside of the home. My joy with her first steps was their joy. My tears at her eating her first finger foods were also shared by her team of therapists. They treat us like family, and she has progressed so much since early 2020!”

This therapy team is not only passionate about kids and families, but also likes to celebrate the big or small victories, while having lots of fun.

“My son, Jet, age 13, has a SATB2-assocated syndrome and is non-verbal with low IQ, so everything is hard,” said Lela Patton. “He goes every Thursday to see his therapists and looks forward to the fun he will have. We tried other therapies that just weren’t working, but with Bartlesville Hope, he has gained new skills and is hitting a lot of new milestones. His therapists are warm and friendly, so it feels like play for him. We are thankful to have this wonderful group here in Bartlesville. This was a missing link for our family.”

Bartlesville Hope wants to help each child grow developmentally, play, explore, engage in new activities, develop new life skills, interact with the world around them, and ultimately grow in independence.

“We want to be a resource to empower parents, families, and the community in areas like child development, positive growth mindset techniques, and ways to encourage your child — not only developmentally, but emotionally and socially,” said Rix. “We have loved seeing the change in our clients and community in the past two years, and cannot wait to see what the next 20 bring!”

You can find out more about their evidence-based practice at bartlesvillehopepediatrictherapy.com.