Child working with a certified Occupational Therapist

What is occupational therapy?

Occupational therapy helps children improve their motor, physical, sensory, and cognitive skills. The “just right challenge” provided in occupational therapy enhances kids’ self-esteem and gives them the confidence to develop.

Who can benefit?

We work with children with sensory processing disorder (SPD), Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, genetic disorders, Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and other neurodevelopmental delays.

We treat kids not labels— so please come for a consultation if you’re not sure.

Occupational therapy (OT) helps kids WITH:

  • Difficulty with fine and/or gross motor skills —difficulty with jumping, balancing, and general clumsiness.

  • Struggling to keep up with peers in school— not writing, coloring, cutting, opening their lunch or putting on their coat for recess.

  • Difficulty meeting classroom expectations— trouble sitting at circle time, maintaining personal boundaries or staying on task.

  • Meltdowns/ Tantrums and difficulty with self-regulation.

  • Strong reactions to sensory input— covering ears in public restrooms, refusing to wear jeans, having to get socks “just right.”

  • Difficulty with completing ADL’s — demonstrating difficulty with dressing, bathing, or self-feeding

  • Behavioral challenges

  • Low self-esteem by building self-confidence

Child on bolster platform swing for pediatric occupational therapy

From Meltdowns to Milestones

Parents often recognize that their child could benefit from activities to burn energy, improve coordination, or practice rule-following. So, they start activities such as gymnastics, soccer, and karate. For many kids, these activities are wonderful extracurriculars that support their physical and mental growth. For some kids, these activities compound their frustrations.

Regular meltdowns at an activity can indicate that the child doesn't have the assumed foundational skills. The "Just Right Challenge" approach of play-based pediatric occupational therapy may be what they need. OT builds children's balance, focus, coordination, frustration tolerance, and other foundational skills so they have the tools and capabilities they need for fun activities.