Increasing participation during play, social activities and academics is the goal of pediatric Occupational Therapy. As specialists, we enhance sensory, fine motor, handwriting, motor planning and functional skills.

Many children today are displaying difficulties in one or more of the seven sensory systems. Children may be over or under responsive and/or exhibit problems with modulation. As experts in the field of sensory processing we assess each sensory system and develop an individualized program to enhance a child’s performance. Thru the use of sensory and movement activities, heavy work, “the just right challenge” and a strong child-therapist relationship, children develop the skills needed to succeed in school, interact with peers and adults and feel more self-confident.

Successful performance not only requires adequate sensory processing but fine motor functioning of the hands, gross motor functioning of the whole body, perceptual motor skill, visual motor integration and the ability to put it all together for learning. Occupational Therapists bring specific knowledge and expertise to address all these issues while engaging a child in a fun and therapeutic environment. Their background in neruo-science, Ayres sensory integration, DIR/Floortime, orthopedics, neruo development, motor learning, Handwriting Without Tears, Therapeutic Listening and Interactive Metronome is the basis for providing strategies and developmentally appropriate activities to help children reach their full potential. Our OT’s also play a key role in training parents, caregivers and teachers about the education of children with diverse learning needs.

Occupational Therapists address a variety of areas including:

• Sensory Processing Abilities

• Handwriting and Keyboarding Remediation

• Fine Motor Deficits (hand functioning)

• Visual Motor and Perceptual Motor deficit

• Toritcollis

• Emotional Adjustment

• Peer Relationships

• Self-Regulation

• School Related Tasks

• Feeding/eating tolerance

• Gross Motor Deficits (total body coordination)

• Motor control

• Self Care Skills

• Attention to tasks