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Alvin Buckwold Child Development Program
Our Teams

We offer diagnostic and treatment services to children as well as support for families. Our clients display or are at risk for developmental, cognitive and/or physical challenges.

What do our teams do?

To help parents and caregivers better understand what we do – and to know what to expect when you come for your assessment and appointments – we've made a welcome video (YouTube) for you to watch.

One or more team members will work together with you to best support the development of your child, and to address overall concerns about your child or your family as a whole. 

Here’s a brief description of what some of the team members you’re likely to meet do.

Pediatric Occupational Therapists work with you and your child to help them learn everyday activities. This may include: playing with toys; taking care of themselves (dressing, eating, using the bathroom); learning to accept and use sensory information (sight, sound, touch, smell, movement, body position). The occupational therapist may suggest or make equipment to help your child be more independent.

Physical Therapists help maximize your child’s mobility and independence, focusing on balance, strengthening and stretching using a variety of fun activities. We try to make therapy as enjoyable as possible!

Speech-Language Pathologists encourage your child to learn to communicate to the best of their abilities. This might involve assisting with speech, or determining another mode of communication like using pictures, sign language or other devices. Sometimes speech-language pathologists help kids who are having trouble eating or swallowing, or they might work on oral-motor skills, helping mouth muscles work better to make speech more clear.

Pediatricians are doctors who specialize in the care and treatment of kids. Our pediatricians aim to provide a whole-child service, advocating for and referring your child to other services and specialists as necessary. Pediatricians look at your child’s overall health and development, and are happy to discuss any other behaviours or issues with you. 

Nurses weigh and measure your child when they come to clinics, make it easier for you to understand your child’s medications and help coordinate care between physicians at the hospital and ABCDP.

Dietitians look at the overall growth of your child and watch for signs of over or under nutrition.  They will talk to you about what and how your child eats and drinks to ensure they are getting the energy and nutriens they need to be healthy. 

Psychologists help you understand your child’s development in areas like thinking and reasoning, social skills, emotions and behaviour. They may work with your child directly, or with you alone to learn more about what your child is doing at home and/or school. 

Social Workers provide information about resources and programs for your child and family.   They can also provide support regarding overall concerns you or your family may have.

We often work together with professionals from the Saskatoon Health Region, early childhood intervention programs, schools and social service organizations to coordinate services. We also organize clinics and invite other specialists to participate, including:

  • Geneticists (scientists/doctors who evaluate, diagnose and manage patients with inherited conditions)

  • Neurosurgeons (doctor who diagnose and treat disorders affecting the nervous system, including the brain, spinal column and spinal cord)

  • Pediatric neurologists (doctors who diagnose and treat children with disorders of the nervous system)

  • Orthopedic surgeons (doctors who treat conditions involving muscles and bones)

  • Urologists (doctors who diagnose, treat and manage patients with disorders of the kidneys, adrenal glands, ureters, urinary bladder and urethra)

  • Orthotists (specialists who design, manufacture and apply devices that support or correct the function of the torso or a limb)

A number of students also work alongside our professional staff, and volunteers contribute valuable time and energy to our program as well.

Last Modified: Sunday, June 12, 2022 |
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