Motor Lab Request

Motor Lab Request

Kari McKown, MOT and Bailey Smith, OTS provide a Motor and Sensory Processing seminar and motor lab for students at Valor Preparatory Academy

Kari McKown, MOT, and co-owner at Elite Therapy Center is pictured with Baylor OT doctoral student, Bailey Smith (OTS), where they partnered with Valor Preparatory Academy to provide a free parent education seminar.

Motor Labs & Sensory Processing

Motor labs and sensory processing strategies help make days run more smoothly and effectively. The goals of a motor lab can:

  • Help children develop the skills necessary for learning readiness and mastery of the environment
  • Improve child’s ability to maneuver and function in their environment leading them to better performances in tasks such as handwriting, sitting still, paying attention, speaking, and behavior.
  • Stimulate the child’s sensory systems.
  • Ability to better control themselves and accomplish tasks by making children aware of their environment and learning about the sensations of his own movement.
  • Build a structure for the acquisition of academic skills.

Submit the Motor Lab form below to request a Motor Lab or click CONTACT US to connect directly with an Elite Therapy Center OT.

A student regulates and finds fun in sensory processing and motor skills in her Motor Lab at Valor Preparatory Academy, Waco, TX
Students work on writing vertically to establish balance and heightened attention
Students practice vertical writing
Vertical Writing

While doing big movements in various directions, your kiddo is working on crossing their midline which helps with handedness, and gets both sides of the brain working together!

JUMPING

Trampolines can support sensory processing and self-regulation by adapting them into “safe spaces.” Some children love to utilize these spaces when they are overwhelmed. It supports them to calm their bodies with the sensory input they need, in a space just for them.

VERTICAL WRITING/DRAWING:

When writing or working in a vertical plane, the muscles of the shoulder girdle and core are turned on. This can lead to increased muscle control as well as improve visual tracking and eye convergence skills.

  • The wrist is placed in extension and encourages better control of the fingers.
  • Working against gravity provides a great strengthening activity!
  • Working on a vertical surface assists with directionality and spatial awareness.

Students tunnel crawl
Students crawl through a jersey knit tunnel
Tummy Time
Rocking Balance

We Are Elite Therapy Center

We Are Elite Therapy Center

Co-owners: Lauri Cole, M.S., CCC-SLP, Heather Field, M.S., CCC-SLP, and Kari McKown, MOT, OTR/L

Owners and Clinical Directors

Lauri Cole M.S. CCC-SLP, Administrative Director, Heather Field M.S. CCC-SLP, Clinical Director of Speech and Language Pathology, and Kari McKown MOT, OTR, Clinical Director of OT and PT

We Are Elite Therapy Center

For two decades, Heather Field, Lauri Cole, and Kari McKown, co-owners and directors of Elite Therapy Center, have devoted their careers to serving children and families with exceptional care in the fields of pediatric speech, occupational, and physical therapy. Their journey began 20 years ago, forged by a shared passion for helping children achieve their fullest potential. Throughout the years, these women have become much more than colleagues—they have become family. This deep bond has enhanced their collaboration, resulting in a therapeutic environment that is both nurturing and transformative for their clients. The trust and relationships they have cultivated are the foundation of their elite status in six Central Texas clinic locations.

Elite Therapy Center is a team of over 70 certified therapists and administrative professionals in six Central Texas locations including Waco, Temple, Harker Heights, Gatesville, Killeen and West. The Elite Therapy Center team is helping our clients of babies, children, youth, and young adults achieve their FULL potential by providing quality and comprehensive treatment plans tailored to meet their unique needs. Our team approach promotes collaboration with families, physicians, and schools. By setting the highest ethical standard for our associates and clients, as well as ourselves, we are equipped to establish and uphold a reputation of clinical excellence with a personal touch.

Elite Exclamations

Elite Exclamations

Elite Therapy Center Waco Clinic Speech TeamMay is Better Hearing and Speech Month! Please send a shout out to our amazing Elite Speech therapists in all our six clinics. As speech therapists seeking to honor the golden rule (to treat others as we would like to be treated), we focus on helping our clients to achieve their full potential. Daily we set the goal of providing quality and comprehensive treatment plans tailored to meet the unique needs of each client.

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NOW OPEN: Elite Therapy Center Harker Heights

NOW OPEN: Elite Therapy Center Harker Heights

Elite Therapy Center has opened it’s SIXTH location in Harker Heights, TX. Servicing many Bell County cities and rural communities alike, this new location located on Hwy 190/14 and provides customized speech, occupational, and physical therapy treatment plans for children, young adults, and families.

Find our NEW Harker Heights location off Hwy 190/14 between our Killeen and Temple clinics by exiting Indian Trail Dr. and turn right into the Synergy Center Complex. This center includes Smoothie King, Corrective Chiropractic, and Anytime Fitness. We are located in Suites 108-109 with the red awnings. Elite Therapy Center’s great expansion is OPEN and we are accepting new patients ~ call or request services TODAY!


 

We are now HIRING Speech, Occupational, and Physical therapists for our Harker Heights, Killeen, and Temple clinics.

Visit our CAREER PAGE to see opportunities and info to apply!

 


 

HIRING NOW

HIRING NOW

Elite SLPs and STAs for our NEW Harker Heights Clinic Location

Elite Therapy Center in Harker Heights HIRING

Email your Resumé

Fax to: 254-235-3408

Job Type: Full-time

  • SLP’s and Speech Therapy Assistants (Temple, Killeen, and Harker Heights Clinics)
  • OT, MOT, OTR – Occupational Therapists (Waco, Temple, and Harker Heights Clinics)
  • COTA – Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants (Waco, Temple, and Harker Heights Clinics)
  • DPT, PT – Physical Therapists (Harker Heights and Killeen Clinics)
  • PTA – Physical Therapy Assistants (Harker Heights and Killeen Clinics)

**All applicants are required to have college degrees and are licensed to practice physical, occupational therapy or speech therapy.

Benefits include:

  • SIGNING BONUS
  • Flexible scheduling
  • Professional CEUs provided and professional fees paid
  • Options for multi-locations in our private clinic in Temple, Harker Heights, and specialized school in Killeen
  • 401K
  • Medical/Vision/Dental
  • Fun, flexible, and supportive environment
Elite Therapy Center COVID-19 Update

Elite Therapy Center COVID-19 Update

Telehealth and Onsite Clinic Visits Available

Update as of March 25, 2020 | In response to the most recent actions being taken to slow the spread of COVID-19, Elite Therapy Center is excluded from mandatory closures and REMAINS OPEN.

According to the Department of Homeland Security, Healthcare services are considered a critical business and may remain open during this timeTherapy services per HHSC and DSHS, are essential and excluded from the mayor’s orders.

It is our top priority to continue providing quality therapy services and access to care. This means we are honoring all staff and patient family requests. We understand that this is a multidimensional issue and are grateful we are eligible for other service delivery models. Appropriate patients will be provided telehealth by their current therapist, home visits will be offered to families by therapists willing to provide them, and others will still continue to come to our clinics. Schedules will be adjusted by our scheduling coordinator, Kim Kennedy, for patients appropriate for telehealth with a signed consent on file.

It is vital for the children to continue with therapy services in order to reach goals and fulfill their plan of care. Equally as important, children thrive off structure and routine. Maintaining therapy and telehealth appointments will provide a sense of calm in the midst of this storm, reducing fear and increasing confidence. Continuing with therapy services while maintaining protection and safety for both our staff and your children is our highest priority!

Please remain in communication with us regarding your professional and personal needs. For more information, you may direct them to the Waco Mayor’s orders at the following link:

https://www.waco-texas.com/pdf/press-releases/Emergency%20Declaration_SIGNED%20032320.pdf

en Español 

Update as of March 17, 2020

We are committed to you and your families. #JourneyElite
In response to the cities order, for closure of restaurants and other like-businesses, we want to assure you that Elite Therapy Center does NOT fall within that category for closure. We will continue providing therapy services and will begin to take the following additional measures effective immediately. We will walk this journey together and take it one day, one hour at a time.
 
  • All waiting rooms are officially closed, at a minimum, for the next 14 days. We will continue receiving patients from their parent/caregivers’ vehicle.
  • Water fountains, as applicable, will be closed, at a minimum, for the next 14 days.
  • Patients that have traveled internationally to countries with widespread, sustained community transmission in the previous 14 days will be placed on hold for the next 14 days.
  • Patients that have had contact with someone with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19, is under investigation for COVID-19 or is ill with a respiratory illness will be placed on hold for the next 14 days.
  • A minimum of 6 ft. distance between all therapy sessions is required with a temporary (mat) or permanent (wall) barrier.
  • At the start and beginning of all therapy sessions:
    • Therapist will wash hands with an antibacterial soap for 20 seconds.
    • Therapist will assist/observe the patient wash hands with an antibacterial soap for 20 seconds.
    • Weather permitting, outdoor treatment areas for sessions at all sites will be made available.
 

 


 

Good afternoon Elite families!

In response to the actions being taken to slow the spread of COVID-19, we have formulated a plan that will allow us to continue to be on your journey of hope and healing.  It is vital for the children to continue with therapy services in order to reach goals and fulfill their plan of care.  Equally as important, children thrive off structure and routine.  Maintaining therapy appointments will provide a sense of calm in the midst of this storm, reducing fear and increasing confidence. Continuing with therapy services while maintaining protection and safety for both our staff and your children is our highest priority.

 

Elite Therapy Center clinics are remaining open with active schedules and following all guidelines and practices issued by CDC (Center for Disease Control) Prevention and Texas HHS (Texas Health and Human Services) for healthcare facilities.

We are providing our staff and families education about the steps taken to protect our therapists, staff, assistants and student’s health as well as those of our clients and families.

 

Implementing the following actions while continuing with our everyday high standards of cleanliness and infection control are part of our strategic plan to help reduce potential spreading:

1. We are limiting the use of waiting rooms at all locations.

Elite therapists or staff will get patients at their scheduled appointment time from the car. We are requesting families to please wait in their car. If families leave the premises, please plan to arrive 5 minutes prior to the end of the session. Caregivers may text staff at 254-749-0038 or call 254-399-8255 upon arrival to check in for therapy services. We will not be utilizing sign in sheets this week and instead will be using phone calls and text messages as a process of checking children in for therapy. Following the call or text, therapist will come out to get your child for therapy from the car.

  1. We have increased our hand washing protocol as follows:

At the start of therapy sessions:

  • Therapist will wash hands with an anti-bacterial soap for 20 seconds or clean hands with hand sanitizer rubbing hands thoroughly (covering all areas) until dry.
  • Therapist will watch the patient wash hands with an anti-bacterial soap for 20 seconds or clean hands with hand sanitizer rubbing hands thoroughly (covering all areas) until dry. Use a song or recite the alphabet to assist in task and teach the routine.
  • If patient is exhibiting any symptoms, check the patient‘s temperature before continuing with therapy.
  1. Co-payments may be made at the following website on your phone:

https://www.elitetherapycenter.org/make-a-payment/  or by calling our main office at 254-399-8255 and following the prompt to push #1 or #2.

  1. In order to adhere to the CDC recommendation of social distancing, we plan to:
  • Provide space between all chairs in the waiting room for families that must use the waiting room.
  • Encourage staff to utilize open spaces for treatment and individual treatment rooms, providing a minimum of 6′ between all therapy sessions, increasing physical space between staff and patients at the clinics.
  • Encourage patient families to use outside areas available including, as available, the covered picnic areas, outside tables and grass areas.
  1. Any visitors entering our building are subject to screening questions as applicable:
  • Has the visitor traveled from out of country? If yes, has there been any fever, coughing or shortness of breath?
  • Has the patient or a family member recently had fever, coughing or shortness of breath?
  • All staff, patients and visitors will be expected to adhere to Elite Therapy Center sick policy.
  • We have reduced our temperature threshold for fever to be 99.4 and higher until further notice.
  • We are continuing to adhere to our everyday cleaning and disinfecting of therapy materials, equipment and frequently touched surfaces. ​
  • Additionally, we are implementing the use of disinfectant germ foggers during non-business hours.

6. We are continuing to adhere to our everyday cleaning and disinfecting of therapy materials, equipment and frequently touched surfaces. ​ Additionally, we are implementing the use of disinfectant germ foggers during non-business hours.  

Thank you for your patience, understanding and compliance as we continue to journey these days together. Our mission to serve your family will never waiver and we appreciate the commitment you demonstrate to your child’s success. Please direct any questions or concerns to: elite@elitetherapycenter.org


 

Sick Policy

It is the policy of Elite Therapy Center that in the event you are ill, you should utilize the following guidelines for returning:

  • Oral temperature of 99.4 degrees or above
  • Vomiting, nausea or severe abdominal pain
  • Marked drowsiness or malaise
  • Sore throat, acute cold, or persistent cough
  • Red, inflamed, or discharging eyes
  • Acute skin rashes or eruptions
  • Swollen glands around jaws, ears and neck
  • Suspected scabies or impetigo
  • Any skin lesion in the weeping stage
  • Pediculosis (head lice)
  • Diarrhea: runny, watery or bloody
  • Other symptoms suggestive of acute illness

 

Return to Therapy Guidelines:

  • Fever free for full 24 hours
  • Symptom free of vomiting, nausea or severe abdominal pain
  • Symptom free of marked drowsiness or malaise
  • Symptom free of sore throat, acute cold, or persistent cough
  • Treated pediculosiis (head lice)
  • Symptom free diarrhea: runny, watery or bloody
  • All health conditions listed above have been treated and resolved