PROMPT

PROMPT

Blog, Parent News, Special Events

Elite Therapy Center transitions to an advanced electronic health record (EHR) system, PROMPT EHR 

Elite Therapy Center is excited to announce the implementation of a new, state-of-the-art Electronic Health Record (EHR) system, PROMPT. PROMPT EHR is an advanced automated system streamlining patient management and enhancing the quality of care across Elite Therapy Center’s six clinic locations. 

This innovative upgrade allows therapists and administration to access secure, real-time patient information, improve documentation processes, and support more personalized treatment plans within one clinical and financial record. The transition highlights Elite Therapy Center’s commitment to providing exceptional, patient-centered care through advanced technology and efficient workflow practices. 

“Our transition to PROMPT EHR represents a significant step forward in delivering an elite level of care to our clients,” said Kari McKown, Clinical Director of OT and PT and Co-owner of Elite Therapy Center. “By modernizing our records management, we’re able to improve communication, reduce scheduling conflicts, and make our therapy programs even more available for the families we serve.” 

PROMPT EHR will enhance coordination among speech, occupational, and physical therapy teams, ensuring seamless collaboration for comprehensive pediatric care. After months of planning and training, Elite Therapy Center will launch PROMPT EHR in all its clinics on September 15, 2025. 

“Families will benefit from simplified scheduling, improved access to records, and more efficient communication with their child’s therapy and administrative team,” said Heather Field, Co-owner and Clinical Director of Speech. 

Once PROMPT EHR system goes live, Elite Therapy Center will email clients a link so they can connect with this new system and access their child’s information. If any new or additional medical records are needed during this transition, our administration team will reach out. 

“Please be patient as we transition to our new system,” McKown adds. “Our goal is to always provide exceptional customer service, and we believe the client experience at Elite Therapy Center will improve with PROMPT EHR.” 

For more information about Elite Therapy Center and its services, please explore our website. Connect with us on our Contact page for any questions.

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Elite Therapy Center Waco Entrance

Elite Therapy Center Waco Entrance

Blog, Parent News

Entering Elite Therapy Center Waco Clinic

Elite Therapy Center clinic entrance instructions.

The service road, which loops under Hwy 6, is the only way to enter our Waco clinic. All clients MUST use the U-turn off Hwy 6 to enter our clinic parking lot. The back alley-way entrance from Imperial Drive is permanently closed and no longer available.

Please contact the office if you experience any delays in arriving to an appointment:
(254) 399-8255.

I-35 Closures and Changes

I-35 Closures and Changes

Blog, Parent News

We encourage everyone to plan for potential delays and consider alternative routes.
Please allow extra travel time to ensure smooth arrivals, especially for morning sessions. 

WACO, Texas (June 16, 2025) – The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is preparing to widen and fully reconstruct northbound I-35 in Waco from S Loop 340 to 12th Street as part of the My35 Waco South Construction Project. Please see map and closure directions below:

I-35 traffic shift

CLOSED:

  • Loop 340 direct connect to northbound I-35
    Drivers will be directed to exit at I-35 South just east of Bagby Avenue and use the cloverleaf to access northbound I-35
  • Northbound I-35 exits to New Road (Exit 331) and to Valley Mills Drive/La Salle Avenue (Exit 333A)
    Drivers will be directed to exit at S Loop 340/Marlin (Exit 330A)
  • Northbound I-35 exit for 17th/18th Streets (Exit 334A)
    Drivers will be directed to exit at 24th – 19th Streets (Exit 333B)
  • Eastbound S. Valley Mills
    Drive direct connect to northbound I-35
Plan and Stay Informed:  Learn more and stay up to date by visiting My35WacoSouth.com, where you also can sign up for My35 email alerts. Follow TxDOT Waco District on Facebook and X (Twitter) @TxDOTWaco for the most current updates on construction activities and lane closures.

Please contact our office if you experience any delays in arriving to an appointment:
(254) 399-8255.

Motor Lab Request

Motor Lab Request

Blog, Feature Slider, Parent News, Therapy Services & Specialty Programs

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

Elite Therapy Center Motor Labs

Elite Therapy Center Motor Labs

Blog, Parent News, Therapy Services & Specialty Programs

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

Motor Labs & Sensory Processing Seminars

Kari McKown, MOT, and co-owner at Elite Therapy Center is pictured here with Baylor OT doctoral student, Bailey Smith (OTS), where they partnered with Valor Preparatory Academy to provide a free parent education seminar on how to incorporate motor lab and sensory processing strategies at home, making days run more smoothly and effectively.

Bailey provides a motor lab each Friday in a classroom and also conducts a ‘mobile’ motor lab, on Mondays/Wednesdays traveling from classroom to classroom.

Motor Lab Request

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

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.

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!

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

TUNNEL CRAWLING: Uniquely designed to encourage crawling, pushing, pulling, heavy work and spatial exploration. Made of smooth fabric that’s stretchy and resistant. A friend or adult holds one end of the tunnel while kids crawl through to build strength, get proprioception on their joints and support sensory integration.

TUMMY TIME: One of the easiest and most beneficial ways to provide a dose of organizing and regulating sensory input is “prone on elbows”, also known as tummy time!  This is a developmental position first encouraged for infants and should be encouraged throughout life…even as adults.

“Prone on elbows” is when one is on their belly on a flat and firm surface like the floor, and propped up on the elbows (pictured), supporting the upper body and neck/head with the use of the shoulder girdle and back muscles (not resting the chin on the hands or the floor).  When in this position the neck is in extension which activates the brain stem, and this is very regulating for the nervous system.

BALANCE BOARDS: Rocking on a balance board helps kids to get positive Vestibular input while feeling secure in their immediate environment. Balance is of course what keeps us upright and mobile!

If your private school is interested in having a motor lab or want to know how to incorporate sensory processing strategies at home:

Motor Lab Request

We Are Elite Therapy Center

We Are Elite Therapy Center

Blog, Feature Slider, Parent News, Therapy Services & Specialty Programs

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, 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 cultivated are the foundation of their elite status in six 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.