How do we get started at KidWorks?
Give our front office a call at (512) 444-7219. We'll ask a few questions about how your child is doing, along with your contact and insurance details, and then schedule an evaluation.
Before the appointment, download and fill out a New Client Packet — or the infant version for babies — and either fax it to (512) 444-6005 or bring it with you on the day.
Do we need a doctor's referral?
Yes. A doctor's prescription is required for an Occupational, Speech, or Physical Therapy evaluation. If you don't have one, your pediatrician or primary care physician can fax one to our clinic.
What ages do you work with?
Babies through adolescents. Our therapists work with newborns and infants — including feeding, positioning, and early milestones — right through school-aged children and teens. Our myofunctional program also treats adults.
How long is an evaluation, and what happens?
A typical evaluation lasts an hour to an hour and a half. Please arrive on time and make yourself comfortable in our waiting room. Your evaluating therapist will meet you and your child there and give you a tour of our space to help your child settle in.
Dress your child in comfortable play clothes so they have full range of motion for testing.
Can I stay and watch?
That's entirely your call — your therapist will leave it up to you whether you'd like to observe the evaluation. If you're not sure how to explain the visit to your child beforehand, call us and we'll help you find the words for their age and situation. KidWorks is a warm, friendly place, and you can reassure your child they'll have fun here.
Do you take insurance?
Most of our families use their insurance benefits. Our billing team can walk you through what your plan covers before you start — call (512) 444-7219 and ask for billing, and take a look at our Insurance Guidelines.
One exception: we are not able to file insurance for our small-group KidTalk sessions.
What are your hours?
We are open Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 6:00pm, and Saturday from 9:00am to 2:00pm. The front office is closed on Saturday.
Can you provide a school absence note?
Yes. School excused absence slips can be provided on request — just ask your therapist or the front office.
Where are you located?
We're at 3607 Menchaca Rd, Austin, TX 78704, in the heart of South Austin near the intersection of Menchaca and S. Lamar. We're in a house up a small hill on the east side of the road. See our directions page for turn-by-turn routes, and give us a call at (512) 444-7219 if you get lost.
What does DIR/Floortime actually mean?
DIR stands for Developmental, Individual differences, Relationship-based. It's a framework developed by Dr. Stanley Greenspan that asks three questions about every child: where are they developmentally, how does their nervous system process the world differently, and what relationships can we use to help them grow?
Why did KidWorks adopt it?
When a child is engaged, connected, and enjoying what they're doing, their brain recruits more neuronal activity for that task — which makes the therapy more valuable. DIR gave us a deeper understanding of the foundations of learning and social-emotional development, on top of the individual-differences and relationship work our therapists were already doing.
You can read more on our philosophical model page, or contact Rebecca Pokluda at (512) 444-7219 with questions.
Does every therapist here use DIR?
DIR/Floortime is the framework for our whole clinic, and our occupational, speech, and physical therapists all bring training in it to their sessions — alongside the specific techniques their discipline calls for.
How do I know if my child needs feeding therapy?
Families come to us when nursing or bottle feeding has been difficult, when a baby has experienced reflux, choking, or gagging, when a toddler resists new textures or table foods, when an older child has a very selective diet, when a child is under or over weight, or simply when family mealtimes have become stressful. We also work with children who have G-tubes or are beginning to eat by mouth.
What happens at a feeding evaluation?
Before your scheduled evaluation, the evaluating therapist will call you to take a feeding and health history.
On the day, bring 2–3 foods your child prefers and 2–3 non-preferred foods, plus their usual utensils, cups, and bottles. We have a microwave and toaster oven available to warm foods up. Depending on your child's age, you may be asked to stay and to feed your child during the session. The evaluation takes about 30 minutes to an hour.
What approaches do your feeding therapists use?
Our therapists draw on advanced training in the SOS Approach developed by Kay Toomey, PhD; the Get Permission Approach developed by Marsha Dunn Klein, OTR; DIR/Floortime; sensory processing; the Beckman Oral Motor Program; and Neurodevelopmental Treatment.
Is feeding therapy individual or in a group?
Both. We offer individual occupational and speech therapy, group therapy through our ChowKids program, Food Science for older children, parent support in individual and group sessions, home visits, and consultation with caregivers, schools, and day-cares.
