Rise Pediatric Therapy

07/30/2026

07/30/2026

Just a reminder that next Wednesday is our August Parent Support Group! More information below 👇

📆 Wednesday, August 5th
⏰5:30 PM - 6:30 PM
📍Rise's Urbandale Clinic
🧸Limited Childcare Available!

07/24/2026

It’s Parent Appreciation Day! 💛 Today (and honestly, every day), we want to give a massive shoutout to all of our incredible Rise parents. The dedication, love, and energy you pour into your kiddos is nothing short of amazing. Thank you for letting us be a small part of your team! 🙌 ✨

07/22/2026

A team approach makes all the difference🙌🏼

At Rise Pediatric Therapy, our therapists and staff are passionate about creating a space where children feel supported, celebrated, and confident to be themselves.

Serving families in the Des Moines, Ankeny, Ames, and surrounding communities.

Visit our site to learn more + get started 🌷

07/22/2026

Starting AAC can feel like a big step—but it’s really about opening new opportunities for communication. 💬✨

If your child is beginning their AAC journey:

🌟 AAC supports communication and can encourage speech development.

🌟 Model AAC during everyday activities so your child can see how it's used.

🌟 Focus on connection, not perfection—every communication attempt matters.

🌟 Keep the device available throughout the day, not just during therapy.

🌟 Be patient! Learning AAC takes time for both children and their communication partners.

Celebrate the small wins—they add up to meaningful progress. ❤️

07/20/2026

Ever notice your little one sitting in a "W" shape? 👀 (Swipe to see the fix!)

When kids sit like this, they’re actually choosing stability over strength. It creates a wide base that locks them into place, meaning their core muscles get to take a total vacation. 🛋️

Why we want to gently discourage it:
🚫Bypasses Core Strength: Because they are locked in, their trunk and abdominal muscles don’t have to do any work to keep them upright.
🚫Stresses Developing Joints: It puts unnecessary, twisting pressure on their growing hips, knees, and ankles.
🚫Limits Playtime Movement: It makes it really tough for them to rotate their body or reach across to grab toys, which is crucial for bilateral coordination.

What to do instead:
Gently guide them toward alternatives like criss-cross apple sauce, side-sitting, or sitting with legs straight out.

💡 Tip: Try using playful cues like "Let's build our strong muscles and sit criss-cross!" or "Can you show me your long legs?" rather than just telling them to fix it.

07/17/2026

We put our therapists to the test to see who could find the words first on an AAC device! Place your bets on who you think will win in the comments before you watch. 👀👇

07/15/2026

Mark your calendars! 📅 Our next parent support group is coming up, and we’d love for you to join us. Check the flyer below for all the details!

07/13/2026

✨ Help us give a warm welcome to the newest members of our Ankeny team! ✨

We're so excited to have these amazing team members join the Rise family! Their passion, knowledge, and dedication to helping children grow and thrive make them a wonderful addition to our team. Drop a 💜 in the comments to help us welcome them!