Creighton Pediatric Therapy
OT, PT, and Speech Therapy + More Services for Children
Creighton Pediatric Therapy is dedicated to supporting children in our community by helping to enhance their wellness and quality of life—while bringing hope to their families. Our team of pediatric occupational, physical and speech therapists develop individualized treatment plans that go beyond merely providing care.
Contact Us
Phone: 402.280.2200
Fax: 402.280.2210
Email: pediatrictherapy@creighton.edu
Serving Our Community
We create an inviting, friendly setting for all the pediatric therapy services we provide, building personal relationships with everyone we serve. In addition to individual therapy sessions, we offer coordinated sessions with multiple services, including small-group camps and activities, and educational sessions on a range of topics. The training we provide to parents of children with special needs extends from the clinic to events within the community.
Our Services
Specific pediatric services include physical, occupational, speech language, feeding, and pelvic therapies, as well as aquatic therapy and telehealth sessions.
Physical Therapy
We provide pediatric physical therapy for a variety of reasons, including developmental delays and injury recovery. Our treatment plans are tailored for each child, reflecting their unique needs and abilities. Children learn through play, so it's also a key component of any plan.
Occupational Therapy
This type of therapy focuses on making everyday tasks easier. Our clinic is equipped to help children develop fine and gross motor skills, hand-eye coordination, proprioception (a sense of where your body is in space), emotional regulation and sensory processing. We serve as a resource, training and diagnostic center for sensory integration services.
Speech Language Therapy
Our clinic can treat a wide range of speech and language needs, including delays and concerns due to hearing loss, autism, cleft and lip palate, and more. After performing an evaluation, our team will develop a treatment plan to address your child’s specific needs. We also provide Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) device assessment and training.
Feeding Therapy
We offer clinical evaluations as well as interventions for a variety of feeding difficulties. Additional testing may be offered in collaboration with community partners. The types of conditions we treat include nervous system disorders, gastrointestinal conditions, prematurity or low birth weight, respiratory difficulties, cleft palate or lip, craniofacial deformities, supplemental feeding (NG or G-tube), and rigid or selective eating.
Pelvic Therapy
We’re dedicated to helping children overcome their wetting and soiling issues, giving them the confidence they need to participate in childhood activities . Our physical therapists are highly trained in pelvic floor dysfunction, bowel and bladder leakage, constipation management, and behavioral retraining for the bowel and bladder. They always respect each child’s dignity, while aiming to make each session as fun as possible. Call Creighton Therapy and Wellness at 402.280.3555 for more information.
Aquatic Therapy
Water often allows children to build skills they can’t accomplish on land, while also facilitating a sense of relaxation, calm and focus. The buoyance water provides can help promote improvements in standing, crawling and walking. And it creates a lower-impact setting with progressive resistance options for children with musculoskeletal conditions, including those from sports injuries and arthritis. This type of therapy can lead to reduced pain and muscle spasms; increased motor skills or range of motion; improved cardiopulmonary efficiency, fitness, and stamina; and better coordination, posture, and balance. Aquatic sessions for OT and PT are held at the Armbrust YMCA (located near 168th and Q streets), which is well-suited for children with disabilities and their families.
Telehealth Services
These services provide remote, “face to face” services using real-time audio and video, with a therapist observing the child and providing cues based on their responses. Therapists can also offer creative therapy based on space and items already in a family’s home. Telehealth offerings are dependent on insurance verification. Insurance coverage varies for telehealth services. If you have questions about participating in telehealth please call us at 402.280.2200 or email pediatrictherapy@creighton.edu
Therapy That Feels Like Play
Schedule an Appointment
To make an appointment, please call 402.280.2200. Note that to schedule and begin treatment, we require a prescription from your child’s physician, who may fax it to our office at 402.280.2210.
When you make an initial appointment, we’ll ask you for the name of your child’s referring physician, the reason for the referral (including your child’s diagnosis, if any), your insurance information, and your concerns and goals for therapy.
Feedback
At our patient-centered clinic, we strive to provide a personal touch through the entire therapy experience. To ensure this, we continually evaluate the services and experience we provide, so we welcome feedback about what’s working well and what could be improved.
Patients, family members and guardians also have the right to file a grievance or complaint with Creighton Therapy and Wellness or Creighton Pediatric Therapy if they feel that the clinic or provider has not met the needs or expectations for rehabilitation services. If a complaint warrants a follow up, the individual filing the complaint will be contacted by phone or secure email.
Please submit feedback or complaints by calling the clinic, or emailing the clinic director, Julie Peterson.
Locations
West Omaha Clinic
17055 Frances Street, Suite 103
Omaha, NE 68130
Phone: 402.280.2200
Fax: 402.280.2210
Monday-Thursday: 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
Friday: 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
We are just northwest of 168th and Center in the Lakeside area. From the intersection at 168th and Center, continue a few blocks north on 168th and turn west (left) at the Frances Street stoplight.
Families with special mobility needs should use the accessible entrance on the west side of the building (and use the phone next to the entrance to contact our team); otherwise, please use the main (south) entrance and check in at the front desk.
Cardiac Center
3006 Webster St
Omaha NE 68131
Please call for current hours: 402.280.2200
Armbrust YMCA (aquatic therapy only)
5404 S 168th St.
Omaha, NE 68135
Your provider will work with you to schedule aquatic therapy based on pool availability and times that work for you.
Preparing for Your Appointment
Prior to your child’s first scheduled appointment, please complete the registration forms online at the Patient Dashboard (login credentials will be provided when you schedule the appointment). Alternatively, you may arrive 20 minutes prior to your appointment to complete these forms in our office.
During the initial appointment, an experienced faculty therapist from the occupational therapy and physical therapy departments at Creighton University will compassionately conduct a thorough examination.
Ensure your child wears comfortable clothes and socks to the appointment, and please bring any equipment your child uses for movement (e.g., braces, a walker or a wheelchair). If your appointment is for a feeding or swallowing evaluation, bring food your child typically eats, as well as anything they use to eat, such as a bottle, nipple, spoon or fork; we will do our best to ensure this appointment is during a normal feeding time to accurately assess your child’s abilities.
Please refer to our FAQ, if you need additional information about appointments.
I was so impressed with the progress my child was making in feeding therapy that I decided to start him in OT, speech and PT here as well. All of the therapists are very patient with my child and adapt their teaching strategies to his developmental level. It has also taught me a great deal and has given me tools to work with him at home.
— Katina, Pediatric Clinic Client
Non-Discrimination Statement
Creighton University does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, marital status, disability, religion, age, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by applicable law in its employment, educational programs and activities, admissions policies, and scholarship and loan programs as required by Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and other applicable statutes and University policies. Creighton University also prohibits unlawful harassment including sexual harassment and sexual violence.
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of equipment is at your facilities?
At our main clinic, we offer the following for therapy sessions:
- 15+ pieces of suspended equipment (swings)
- 8+ vertical surfaces to write on throughout the clinic
- A playground and walking trail
- Various riding toys and bicycles
The Armbrust YMCA (used for aquatic therapy sessions) offers:
- A pool with zero-depth entry for easy accessibility
- Large changing spaces
- A changing/treatment table in the family locker room
- Various therapeutic equipment, including motivational toys
How long will my child need therapeutic services?
This is one of the most commonly asked questions, yet it’s also the hardest to answer since services are highly individualized. On average, the length of services at Creighton Pediatric Therapy is about six to nine months. During this time, the therapy team will work hard to ensure your child’s needs are being addressed and that they are progressing toward meeting established goals. At times, your child may take a break from therapy, allowing for increased family time, participating in community activities, or practicing their new skills at home or school. We will continue providing services as long as they are necessary.
What happens when my child is discharged from therapy?
Once your child’s therapy goals are met and their therapist determines services are no longer necessary, it’s time to celebrate! Your child’s therapist will discuss completion of services, which may include providing recommended activities to continue practicing at home, red flags to watch for and a copy of the discharge summary for you and your referring physician.
What if I need to cancel my child’s appointment?
We understand that life sometimes doesn’t go according to plan. We just ask that you call us as soon as possible at 402.280.2200 to reschedule. We do have a cancellation/no-show policy, which is provided to all families when services begin.
As part of our policies related to COVID-19, we also ask that you reschedule if your child is sick—especially if they have a fever, cough, sneezing or shortness of breath (or have had these symptoms within 48 hours of the appointment). You should also reschedule an appointment if your family has recently traveled outside of the United States; in this case, ask your therapist if it’s possible to have a telehealth session instead.
What if I forget food, diapers or wipes I need for my child?
For children who need food as part of their therapy, we can provide different snacks, ranging in texture and consistency, but we do not stock formulas. Diapers and wipes are also available, and we welcome donations to maintain our supplies.
Do I need to stay with my child during therapy?
We welcome family involvement, and most parents or guardians are present during therapy sessions. They can also choose to remain in the waiting room or watch and listen to a live video feed of the session from a conference room. If you choose to leave your child to walk around the nearby lake or run an errand, please leave your cell phone number with us and return before the end of your child’s session.
Do I need a prescription to begin treatment?
Prior to your first visit, please ensure your child’s physician faxes a prescription to our office at 402.280.2210. A prescription is needed to document medical necessity and is required if billing insurance or Medicaid for your child’s care. Your insurance company will request the diagnosis for your child, and your physician should provide this information. Please note that not all diagnoses are covered by insurance. We suggest reviewing your insurance company’s coverage for therapy services as they relate to your child’s diagnosis.
Which insurance plans do you accept?
We currently accept the insurance plans shown below, including commercial, Medicaid, and worker’s compensation plans. We encourage you to review your policy coverage and contact your insurance company to ensure therapy services will be covered as part of your child’s diagnosis.
- Aetna Coventry Health Care of Nebraska
- Aetna Leap (CHI Health Omaha and Board plans)
- Aetna Whole Health CHI Health Accountable Care Network
- Amerigroup Iowa*
- AmeriHealth Caritas Iowa*
- Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) PPO/Network Blue
- BCBS of Nebraska: Network Blue and Blueprint Health Network plans (in-network) and Select BlueChoice and Premier Select BlueChoice (out-of-network)
- ChampVA
- Cigna/Midlands Choice Network
- CompResults**
- Corvel**
- Coventry Health Care National Network First Health
- GEHA/United Healthcare
- Health Alliance
- Interplan
- Medicaid of Nebraska
- Medicaid of Iowa
- Midlands Choice (look for the Midlands Choice logo on your card)
- Nebraska Total Care*
- OHARA**
- Private Health Care Systems (PHCS)/Multiplan
- QualChoice/UniNet Healthcare Network (Tier I)
- Tricare Prime HMO/POS
- Tricare Standard PPO
- United Healthcare Community Plan of Nebraska*
- United Healthcare: Compass, HMO/PPO and Navigate plans
- United Healthcare of the Midlands
- United Healthcare Plan of the River Valley (IA Medicaid)*
- WellCare of Nebraska*
*Medicaid Managed Care plans
**Workers’ Compensation plans
What if my insurance plan does not include Creighton?
If this is the case, your insurance company will likely require you to pay considerably higher out-of-pocket costs based on the out-of-network benefits of your insurance policy. We will submit a claim to your insurance on your behalf. If we have not heard from your insurance company after 60 days, the balance will become your responsibility.
What is a co-payment (co-pay)?
A co-payment is a set fee required by some insurance plans that you will pay during each visit for certain covered services. Co-pay amounts are determined by your insurance plan and can vary depending on the service(s) provided. They will be collected during check-in. If you have questions about co-pays (or co-insurance and deductibles), please contact your insurance provider.
What methods of payment do you accept?
We accept cash and checks, as well as Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover.
Will my child’s therapy be eligible for Medicaid?
Our office will verify Medicaid eligibility at the time of service.
What is third party (accident claims/worker’s compensation)?
If your child has had an accident or injury requiring a claim to a third-party liability company, such as an auto insurance provider, we will submit a claim on your behalf. If we have not heard from the third-party liability company after 60 days, the balance will become your responsibility.
When will I receive a statement for services?
If a balance is due on your account, a patient statement will be mailed to you—typically 30-60 days following the date of service. Payment is expected upon receipt of your statement. If you have questions or are unable to pay the balance on your statement in full upon receipt, please contact us as soon as possible to discuss payment arrangements.
What happens if my account is unpaid?
If your account remains unpaid, and you have not contacted us to set up payment arrangements, your account will be forwarded to our collection agency. Once an account has been referred to collections, you must work directly with them to make payments. Patients and their families may be dismissed from our practice for non-payment.
What should I do if I have questions about my bill?
Please call our clinic as soon as possible at 402.280.2200, Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Friday from 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Opportunities for Students
For undergraduate and professional students, we provide unique learning opportunities to gain clinical experience and fulfill the observation hours needed to complete a professional school application. To fulfill those requirements, please complete and submit the Student Shadowing Interest Form. Note that opportunities for shadowing may be limited, based on provider availability.
