Pediatric alternatives in creative therapy (PACT)

Features of the PACT program include:

• Interdisciplinary team of professionals, including physical therapists, occupational therapists and speech-language pathologists
• Partnerships with the family, school, physician and community to provide comprehensive intervention
• Individualized treatment program for each child
• Community leadership as the first hospital-based program of its kind in Lake County serving about 200 families
• Outreach programs in schools, community groups and religious organizations

We know children with unique needs and their families sometimes require special support and attention. Our goal is to help your child and your family meet these challenges, supporting you through every stage of your child's development.

For more information on our services, call 847-990-5350.

• Cognitive retraining
• Casting, orthotics and splinting
• Tympanometry
• Myofascial release and soft tissue management
• Aquatic therapy
• Motor/sport groups
• Craniosacral therapy techniques
• Home instruction
• Parent networking

• Neurodevelopmental treatment (NDT)
• Instructional home programs
• Assessment of oral-motor function influencing the ability to eat and speak
• Hearing screenings
• Enhancement of your child's self-esteem

Ages three to five

For children ages three to five, we:

• Focus on your child's ability to function independently.
• Provide instruction and home programs to enhance your child's progress outside of the clinic environment.
• Network with others involved with your child's development to ensure coordination of care.
• Recommend adaptive equipment and approaches for eating, communications and mobility.

Five years old and beyond

For children five years of age and older, we:

• Facilitate higher level motor skills, dynamic balance and reinforce skills learned between ages three and five years old.
• Focus on function in your child's environment.
• Introduce the child to adaptive sports.
• Enhance learning strategies.
• Facilitate communication and function into later years of childhood.

Our specialized occupational therapy program can be an effective means of treating sensory defensiveness.

Produced by a variety of light projectors and wheels, shimmering fiber optic light curtain and calming music cassettes, the interactive sound and light walls of the Snoezelen Sensory Room provide opportunities to enhance children's awareness of their environment through the senses of sight and hearing, while helping stimulate their motor movements. This multi-sensory experience is also effective in helping children block out distractions, remain focused, and achieve calmness, which is optimal to the progress of therapy.

The idea of the Snoezelen Room began in the 1970's with the help of Holland psychologist Ad Verheual. Working in a center for individuals with disabilities, Verheual began studying how people react to their environments. As his study progressed, he introduced smells, music, touch and taste to those with whom he worked within the center. He also experimented with creating active and relaxing environments. It was through this study that the multi-sensory room was developed.

Verheual then published his findings with colleague, Jan Hulsegge, entitling the book "Snoezelen," which comes from two Dutch words that mean, "sniff" and "doze." As a result of his findings and book, The Snoezelen concept was introduced to various centers across the world.