What We Treat

Occupational Therapy

The Problem

1. If your child avoids certain textures or surfaces, they may have a sensory processing disorder. We can help your child overcome this with certain activities while making it fun and not scary. It is amazing to watch a professional help a child overcome sensory issues that you thought were never possible as a parent.

2. If they do not use both hands together when playing or pretending to cook, they may need assistance developing their fine motor skills. With the right pediatric occupational therapist, you will see improvements, sometimes right away. 

3. If your child has difficulty dressing themselves or tying their own shoelaces, then it is time to speak to your pediatrician about your options. Getting oneself dressed can show the signs that the fine motor skills are needing a little improvement.

4. If they are not good at self-calming methods like deep breathing or gazing up at a lighted ceiling fan, then it may be time for some OT assistance. When children have a hard time calming themselves, they can seem out of control and impossible. However, this is a skill that can help the entire family have a better life overall. Everyone will benefit from the help that this child will get during occupational therapy for children.

5. Avoiding eye contact is another tall tale sign that your child might need pediatric occupational therapy. Eye contact is not the only way you can tell signs of autism. But it is a vital and important sign that you should not dismiss. So if your child avoids eye contact, it’s time to have them assessed by a pediatric occupational therapist.

The Solution

Occupational therapy helps children with motor, cognitive, physical, and speech delays to develop their skills. It also focuses on how kids carry out daily tasks.

With occupational therapy, the therapist will work with the child to help them develop important skills and improve their function. It may also involve exercises and equipment to do tasks at home, like brushing teeth or washing dishes.

Occupational therapy for children is essential for children who have motor skills delays, sensory processing disorders, or coordination issues. The first step to identifying if your child needs help in this area is to watch them during the day and see how they interact with the world around them.

Sensory Processing

Examples:

Motor Planning and Vestibular System 

Visual Motor Integration

Sensory Processing and Cooperative Play

Self Regulation & Developmental Skills (emotions)

Learning self regulation involves…

• Learning how to monitor and manage your internal states

• Understanding what it feels like to be calm and alert

• Learning to recognize when certain activities help your child return to themself in a regulated state most easily, as well as what pulls them out of their regulated state

Group Therapy

Work on the development of physical and social skills while having fun! 

Groups:

Busy Bee Group (Ages 3-4) 

• The focus on this group is overall coordination, visual motor integration, and sensory and cooperative play. 

Lightning Group (Ages 7-9)

• The focus of this group is overall coordination, team work, problem solving and perceptual skills 

Raptor Group (Ages 10-12)

• The focus of this group is increasing expressive language skills, community skills, vocational skills, and life skills.

Sensory Processing Disorders for Adults