Pediatrics Plus Brings Innovative “Farm” Therapy Model to Searcy, Arkansas
Pediatrics Plus has expanded its reach in Arkansas with the opening of a recent “Farm” model therapy location designed to serve Searcy and the surrounding communities. Moving away from the traditional clinical setting, this facility integrates essential pediatric therapies into a functional, sensory-rich environment that mimics real-life experiences.
What is the Pediatrics Plus Farm Model?
The “Farm” model is a reimagined approach to pediatric healthcare. Instead of treating children in standard medical offices, Pediatrics Plus combines clinical interventions with real-world activities. By incorporating gardening, cooking, outdoor play, and social interaction, the facility helps children apply the skills they learn in therapy to everyday life.
This holistic approach is designed to help children thrive by providing a space where therapy feels less like a chore and more like a natural part of their environment. The Searcy Farm location is now open at 1220 Whitney Lane in Kensett.
Comprehensive Pediatric Services
The Searcy Farm provides a multidisciplinary approach to child development, offering four primary types of therapy:
- Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA): Focused on supporting children with autism and other behavioral challenges through personalized support and positive behavior strategies.
- Occupational Therapy (OT): Helps children master fine motor skills and daily routines to increase independence in personal care and play.
- Physical Therapy (PT): Focuses on developing the strength, balance, and coordination necessary for everyday movement.
- Speech Therapy (ST): Supports speech and language development, helping children find their voice, connect with others, and improve feeding skills.
A Sensory-Rich Learning Environment
The facility is specifically designed to be a functional space that engages a child’s senses and curiosity. The layout includes a variety of specialized zones to support different therapeutic goals:
Indoor Therapeutic Spaces
Inside the facility, children have access to a farmhouse kitchen, dedicated treatment rooms, and themed areas including “Dinosaurs + Princesses” and “Air + Space.” For physical development, the farm features transportation gyms, a living room with a fireplace, and a sunroom. The facility also includes specific “High Stim” and “Low Stim” areas to accommodate different sensory needs.
Outdoor and Practical Learning
The exterior of the facility is just as vital as the interior. The farm offers acres of outdoor play space, including:
- A garden and greenhouse
- A barn and chicken coop
- A mud kitchen and courtyard
- A large covered back porch
These areas allow therapists to work on gross motor skills, sensory integration, and social interaction in a natural setting.
Expanding Access to Care in the Region
Pediatrics Plus is a Little Rock-based firm that has expanded its footprint to provide pediatric health care and therapy services across Arkansas, Texas, Missouri, and Oklahoma (AMP). The grand opening of the Searcy Farm was marked by a ceremony featuring remarks from Congressman French Hill, highlighting the importance of this expanded access to specialized care for local families.
Key Takeaways for Parents
- Location: 1220 Whitney Lane, Kensett (serving the Searcy area).
- Approach: Integrates ABA, OT, PT, and ST with real-life activities.
- Environment: Features both indoor sensory rooms and outdoor farm elements like a greenhouse and chicken coop.
- Contact: Families can reach the facility at 501.389.2565.
Looking Ahead
By blending clinical expertise with a farm-based environment, Pediatrics Plus is shifting the paradigm of pediatric therapy. This model not only addresses the medical and developmental needs of children but does so in a way that promotes joy and functional independence, providing a blueprint for how pediatric care can evolve to better serve children and their families.