Seasonal and Specialty Programs for People with Disabilities
Specialty Programming
Unlock Potential and Explore Possibilities
Specialty Programs at Ability KC offer support for individuals of any age with an extensive range of diagnoses, conditions, and disabilities.
Our distinctive Specialty Therapeutic Programs are crafted to spark growth in a patient’s journey towards success. Whether their goal is to prepare for kindergarten or get back on the road, our unique specialty programs are designed to equip them with the skills and confidence they need to be independent in daily living.
Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) Foundations Program
Ability KC’s IADL Foundations Program provides a two week (2 hours a day) intensive program targeting specific skills related to pre-driving/transportation, money management, grocery shopping, cooking and pre work skills. Individuals will be evaluated by an occupational therapist (OT) and recommended for this program to address specific skill areas as appropriate. This group-based program will provide education, intervention, and develop home programs related to key skill areas. Following completion of the program, participants will develop their own plan for home programming. Key skill areas targeted in this program include:
- ADLs/IADLs
- Driving Readiness
- Visual Scanning
- Processing Speed
- Visual Perceptual Skills
- Divided Attention
- Alternating Attention
- Working Memory
- Money Management
- Social Skills
- Map/Direction Finding
Sessions are offered in the Spring, Summer and Fall. If interested, please fill out the form below.
Adaptive Swim Sessions – Ages 3-8
Adaptive Swim Sessions at Ability KC combines the expertise of our therapists with a focus on gaining confidence in the water, critical water safety skills and learning different swim strokes, all while having fun! Staff are trained in Swim Whisperers by Swim Angelfish to support swim lessons specifically for children with diverse needs, diagnoses and goals related to water. Each session will be led by one of Ability KC’s expert therapists and requires the child to be accompanied by a parent or guardian in the water.
A one-time enrollment fee of $80 is due at the time of registration. Please fill out our Adaptive Swim Interest Form below to get started.
Beyond Transitions
Ability KC’s Beyond Transitions Program supports transitions from childhood to adolescence or into adulthood by focusing on skills necessary for children to reach their greatest independence throughout their lifetime. We create opportunities for physical, cognitive and social development as well as skills for adapting to situations or activities. The program utilizes a multidisciplinary approach including occupational and speech therapies as well as neuropsychology services.
- Manage daily routines
- Meal planning & preparation
- Develop pre-job skills
- Practice self-care skills
- Health & fitness
- Medication management
- Household chores & routines
- Navigate social situations
- Money management
- Community mobility
If interested, please fill out the form below.
Intensive Constraint & Bi-Manual Therapy
Using constraint and bi-manual training interventions, Ability KC’s pediatric team encourages children with hemiparesis to use their affected arm that has been impacted by a neurological event such as a stroke or brain injury. With the combination of group-based constraint activities and engaging home programs, these evidence-based practices help improve both the quality of movement and the amount of use of the affected arm and hand in activities of daily living. Each group activity is customized to be fun and motivating to support each child in reaching their goals!
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- Focus on hand and arm mobility, self-care, and social skills
- Themed activities to motivate and encourage
- Engaging home programs to improve carryover of skills learned during therapy and to facilitate increased use of their arm in activities of daily living.
Feeding, Oral Rehab and Dysphagia (F.O.R.D.) Program
The Feeding, Oral Rehab and Dysphagia (F.O.R.D.) Program is tailored for children facing feeding and swallowing challenges, offering a nurturing environment alongside peers of similar ages. Our therapists employ evidence-based methodologies such as the Sequential Oral Sensory (SOS) Approach to Feeding and the Beckman Oral Motor Approach, ensuring effective treatment of feeding difficulties in children. Sessions are available individually, in outpatient groups, or as part of our comprehensive Day Program. Help your child overcome feeding challenges and reach their goals with our expert support. Join us at Ability KC for this exciting new program!
Program dates coming soon!
Wheelchair Seating Clinic
Ability KC is excited to introduce a monthly clinic dedicated to seating and positioning assessments. Our clinic brings together a specialized team—including a rehabilitation physician, a seating and equipment supplier, and certified ATP therapists—to ensure each client receives the most appropriate mobility equipment with minimal delays. This collaborative approach allows us to provide tailored assessments for a wide range of DME and POVs, including custom seating, manual and power chairs, and custom-molded seating systems. Clinic highlights include:
- Individualized team approach
- Full team present at the evaluation
- Suppliers are certified seating specialists
- Therapists include PT and OT who are certified seating specialists
- Rehabilitation Physician
- Trial equipment available
- Pressure mapping available upon request
Clinic dates available:
- November 13th, 12:30 p.m.- 4:00 p.m.
- December 11, 12:30 p.m.- 4:00 p.m.
A physician referral is required for wheelchair and seating evaluations. Fax it to our admissions at 816-751-7984, and we’ll contact the client to schedule at the next available clinic date with their preferred DME supplier. For questions, call 816-648-3911.
Fillable Wheelchair Seating Clinic Prescription
Intensive and Comprehensive Aphasia Program (ICAP)
The Intensive Comprehensive Aphasia Program (ICAP) at Ability KC offers over 60 hours of individualized and group therapies for individuals with mild to severe aphasia. This program is designed to enhance participation in meaningful life activities, empowering participants to communicate effectively and engage more fully in their lives. ICAP is considered intensive due to its structured approach, which includes an individualized evaluation, personalized goal-setting, and four weeks of evidence-based treatment. Therapy sessions are conducted one-on-one by a supervised graduate clinician and a certified Speech-Language Pathologist, ensuring focused and specialized support tailored to each participant’s needs.
This program addresses various goals through multiple therapeutic approaches, including:
- Group and individual treatment
- Computer access and assistive technology
- Education
- Community integration
Admission requirements include:
- Diagnosis of aphasia
- Medically/neurologically stable
- Adequate stamina and endurance
- Independent with self-care or has caregiver support
- Available transportation
Mastering Independent Living and Everyday Skills (MILES)
The Mastering Independent Living and Everyday Skills (MILES) program at Ability KC supports individuals with neurological conditions in their journey to independent living and community reintegration. Offered through our day rehabilitation program, MILES utilizes a cognitive approach of “goal-plan-do-check,” where occupational and speech therapists coach group members to collaboratively problem-solve everyday life situations.
Participants meet twice a week for five weeks, focusing on a different Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) each session. Each week includes educational components, group activities, and homework to reinforce skills in a personal context. Many participants aim to return to or enter the workforce and work alongside Ability KC’s Return to Work Navigator for additional support.
Modified Constraint Induced Movement (mCIMT)
Modified Constraint Induced Movement Therapy (mCIMT) is a group-based program offered through Ability KC’s Day Rehabilitation and Outpatient Programs. Led by Occupational Therapists and Occupational Therapy Students, this program runs four times a year and is designed to improve the behavior, perception, and function of an affected hand. Participants engage in 3-hour sessions, four times a week for two weeks, where they wear a cast or mitt on their unaffected side to encourage the use of the affected hand. The program incorporates functional tasks that promote skill development and includes home practice to support progress including:
- Exercises and fine motor skill activities
- Recreational activities
- Self-care simulation
Admission requirements include:
Participants typically must be independent with self-care and have fair to good function in the shoulder and elbow, with a goal of improving hand function.
Repetitive Arm Movement Program (RAMP)
The Repetitive Arm Movement Program (RAMP) is a group-based program offered through Ability KC’s outpatient program. Led by Occupational Therapists, Occupational Therapy Students, and rehabilitation technicians, RAMP maintains a 1:1 staff-to-participant ratio to ensure personalized support. The program focuses on improving proximal function of an affected limb while providing education to participants and their families on home programs, adaptive tools, and equipment. RAMP is offered twice a year for two weeks, with sessions held three days per week for two hours each day.
Admission Requirements include:
Participants typically have completed “traditional” therapy or day programs and are returning for re-assessment. They usually exhibit emerging active movement in the shoulder and elbow.
RAMP is offered twice a year for two weeks, with sessions held three days per week for two hours each day.
Our Approach
Ability KC takes an integrated approach to our seasonal therapeutic programs for all age groups.
Our team will work with individuals to develop a care plan that can include intensive outpatient rehabilitation services, goal-based group therapies, and interest-based resources.
A Brighter Future Starts Here
Start your journey with Ability KC by using our online therapy planning tool, or feel free to reach out to our team regarding any questions or comments you may have.
