Can the Nintendo Wii Change Lives if Used by a Trained Therapist?

By Yomin Postelnik

Autism Health and Wellness Magazine

Breakthrough Therapy Services has found a way to change lives. Its Director, Speech Language Pathologist Kimberly Bloom, is using Nintendo Wii and other fun and stimulating methods to achieve record progress for children with autism spectrum disorders.

Kim Bloom Working With Children And Changing Their Lives

Take the case of 4 year old Sebastian. The remarkable progress that Bloom and Breakthrough Therapy Services achieved for this child brought attention to their strong track record of changing kids’ lives in dramatic and meaningful ways. Sebastian’s remarkable progress actually resulted in the Sun-Sentinel dedicating an entire feature to Breakthrough Therapy Services.

Before starting therapy, Sebastian was unable to get dressed on his own or even begin to perform tasks that toddlers his age manage with ease. Sebastian also lacked coordination and was unable to hold a remote or to stand in one place and play a coordinated game.

Four short weeks later, under Kim Bloom’s guidance, and Sebastian was playing interactive bowling like a pro. And that’s not all! He began to make significant improvements in his overall independence skills. A child’s life was changed and he’s beginning to develop into a range of self sufficiency because of the treatment. And he’s only one of hundreds of stories that have reacted similarly to Breakthrough’s unique treatment.

In fact, just last year Breakthrough Therapy Services staff organized a Breakthrough Musical performance at Hollywood’s Toddler Tech Academy, in which children with autism performed in front of a fairly large and certainly enthralled audience, all thanks to the dedicated parents and therapists who volunteered their time for months to practice and prepare for this musical.

The key to Breakthrough Therapy Services’ success is simple yet remarkable:when kids are having fun, they learn easier and are motivated to succeed. Yet the remarkable progress that Bloom is able to achieve also comes from dedication, perseverance, experience and vast creativity. Nintendo Wii is only one of the creative and innovative ways that Bloom uses to engage children with obstacles in their way toward independence and to motivate them to succeed beyond what was deemed possible beforehand. This mixture of creative fun and “can do” attitude has changed countless lives and has made Bloom a real success story in the effort to mainstream or otherwise boost the quality of life of special needs children.

Having researched Breakthrough Therapy, I’ve found that all staff are dedicated, competent, friendly and passionate about their work. Their services, which are wide ranging, include: Speech Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Nintendo Wii Speak & Wii-Habilitation, Interactive Metronome, Music Therapy/Musical Theater and Art Therapy, as well as Behavior Modification, Cognitive Skills Training, Handwriting Training, Pragmatic Groups/Play Groups, a specialized Listening Program and Sensory Integration.

Innovative therapies do work, especially when performed in a fun and exciting way that actually motivates kids to succeed. Combine that with experience, competence and dedication and the results are often life changing.

Breakthrough Therapy Services may be reached at (954) 474-8048, email kim@breakthroughtherapyservices.com or visit www.breakthroughtherapyservices.com.