Elissa G. Maruca

Developmental Therapist

Ms. Elissa G. Maruca is a Developmental Therapist in Wethersfield, CT with special training and skill in identifying and treatment of developmental disorers in toddlers and young children. As a Developmental Therapist, Elissa G. Maruca performs play activities designed to help the child learn new skills and overcome their challenges. Developmental Therapy is a discipline that focuses on diagnosis and treatment of developmental disorders in children between the ages of 0-5 years old. Significant diseases and conditions treated by Developmental Therapists include speech delays, decreased attention skills, autism, behavioral problems, learning disabilities, poor social skills, sensory issues, and hearing impairments. Medical tests, procedures and therapies provided by Developmental Therapists include conducting evaluations and interventions, providing parenting strategies, facilitating social skills, and providing play therapy.

A Developmental Therapist is a person qualified by completion of an approved program in Developmental Therapy and where applicable credentialed by the state and practicing within the scope of the credential, or credentialed by completion of education experiences as approved by the state and practicing within the scope of that credential or, where state credentialing does not exist, certified by the Board of the Developmental Therapy Association. A developmental therapist evaluates children's global development in order to identify areas of developmental delay whether arising from physiological, neurological, or environmental factors, or a combination of factors; and designs, implements, and modifies therapeutic interventions for the child and the family to promote the child's acquisition of skills in a variety of developmental areas, including cognitive processes and social interaction in order to maximize functional independence and developmental homeostasis, and improve the quality of life at home and in the community; and provides consultation for the parents and other professionals working with the family on global development.

Pediatrics Occupational Therapist

Ms. Elissa G. Maruca is a Pediatrics Occupational Therapist in Wethersfield, CT with special training and skill in helping physically or mentally disabled children develop cognitive, motor, social, and self-care skills. As a Pediatrics Occupational Therapist, Elissa G. Maruca performs educational and physical learning exercises with children disabled by injury or illness. Pediatric Occupational Therapy is a medical specialty dedicated to helping disabled children gain personal independence by improving sensory, motor, visual perception, and social interaction skills. Significant diseases and conditions treated by Pediatric Occupational Therapists include impairments resulting from birth injuries or defects, sensory processing disorders, traumatic injuries, autism, childhood arthritis, spina bifida, multiple sclerosis (MS), Parkinson's disease, cerebral palsy, and many other conditions that affect children's motor and learning skills. Medical tests, procedures and therapies provided by Pediatric Occupational Therapists include play therapy, handwriting exercises, motor planning, gross motor coordination, sensory modulation, visual perception skills, and parental education.

Occupational therapists provide services to infants, toddlers and children who have or who are at risk for developmental delays or disabilities. Occupational therapy is concerned with a child's ability to participate in daily life activities or "occupations." Occupational therapists use their unique expertise to help children with social-emotional, physical, cognitive, communication, and adaptive behavioral challenges and to help children to be prepared for and perform important learning and school-related activities and to fulfill their rule as students. Through an understanding of the impact of disability, illness, and impairment on a child's development, plan, ability to learn new skills, and overall occupational performance, occupational therapists design interventions that promote healthy development, establish needed skills, and/or modify environments, all in support of participation in daily activities.