Occupational therapy
Occupational therapy helps your child with everyday skills. Our occupational therapists work on play, school, and using the hands and body together. They also help your child make sense of touch, sound, and movement, and do tasks where what they see and feel guides how they move.
Our occupational therapists hold master's degrees, have advanced training certificates, or have years of experience working with children.
They use play, parent education, and behavioral interventions to make progress possible. They also use three methods. Sensory Integration helps your child respond to touch, sound, and movement. Interactive Metronome uses a steady beat to practice timing and focus. Neurodevelopmental Treatment uses hands-on guidance to build movement and posture.
What do our occupational therapists work on?
Their expertise helps children do their best in these areas:
- Fine motor skills (hand function)
- Visual motor and perceptual motor skills
- Sensory integration difficulties
- Handwriting
- Emotional adjustment
- Peer relationships
- Play skills
- School-related tasks
- Feeding and eating tolerance
- Gross motor skills (whole-body coordination)
- Motor control
- Self-care skills
- Attention to task
How do I know my child needs occupational therapy?
These concerns often point to a need for OT. If you say yes to at least one, your child would likely benefit from OT.
- Avoiding or having difficulty in social situations
- Difficulty at children's birthday parties
- Avoiding or showing little interest in coloring, writing, and similar tasks
- Lack of confidence
- Being a "picky eater"
- Difficulty dressing
- Difficulty with writing skills
- Being a "daredevil" on the playground
- Difficulty using a pencil or scissors
- Difficulty copying from the blackboard
- Limited play skills
- Avoiding construction toys, such as Legos, blocks, and puzzles
- Difficulty handling small objects, such as buttons and zippers
- Difficulty with age-appropriate sports
- Difficulty with ball skills
- Avoiding playground equipment
More support
Other services
Service coordination
A free service with one point of contact who helps your family get and coordinate early intervention services.
Evaluations
A full look at how your child plays, moves, talks, and learns, so you know what support fits.
Special instruction
A special educator helps your child build thinking, play, and learning skills through daily routines.
Ready to talk about your child?
Call us, email us, or send a referral online. We answer your questions and help you take the next step.