Occupational Therapy
What is Occupational Therapy?
Pediatric Occupational Therapy (OT) focuses on helping children develop the skills they need to thrive in daily life activities. Through tailored and meaningful play-based interventions, pediatric OT supports children in overcoming challenges related to motor skills, sensory processing, social emotional skills, social skills, and cognitive development.
There are many different settings that support children with OT, including schools, clinics, hospitals, community, early intervention, private practices, and home based services. Move to Thrive Therapy works with clients in their home or preferred community location (e.g. library, park). Qualifying for OT services differs across these settings.
What things does OT work on and support?
Fine & Gross Motor Coordination, Strength, Endurance, and Range of Motion
Visual Motor & Perceptual Skills (Visual spatial, handwriting, scissor skills, puzzles, etc.)
Self-Regulation
Behavioral Challenges
Body Awareness
Sensory Processing (Visual, Auditory, Touch, Oral, Balance & Movement)
Executive Functioning (Attention/Focus, Planning & Organization, Impulse Control, Memory, Problem Solving)
Social Skills
Motor Planning
Functional Play
Functional Mobility
Self-care Skills
Does my child need a medical diagnosis for OT with Move to Thrive Therapy?
Our services are not limited to a diagnosis. Each child has their own set of strengths and needs that we support with or without a medical diagnosis! We do not bill insurance for services which provides both the client and provider with the autonomy to tailor services specifically to the child's needs.
Play-Based Occupational Therapy
OT takes a comprehensive, holistic approach to address the underlying challenges that contribute to a child's needs. Play-Based OT allows a child to:
Increase engagement and improve skills in a FUNctional way!
Naturally express themselves when verbal communication is limited by emotions or ability
Build problem solving & executive functioning skills
Provides a safe & comfortable environment for a child to explore their skills, take risks, and build confidence
Environmental Design Consultation
Design consultation to improve space set up (eg. play room, day care, classroom, office) to allow for success to engage in occupations. Consulting provides feedback & recommendations related to:
Universal Design
Sensory Processing
Reduce overstimulation
Help with alertness
Strategies to incorporate to help with attention/focus
Ideal ergonomics
Visual deficits
Wheelchair accessibility
Handwriting Instruction
Tutoring for children with dysgraphia and/or challenges with handwriting legibility. This can be provided at home or in a community space (eg. library).
Challenges with letter formation
Inconsistent use of spaces
Poor baseline usage
Use of very large or small letters
Difficulty with paper organization
Poor grasp pattern & bilateral coordination
Parent Coaching
Parent coaching is a service that provides parents/caregivers the knowledge, skills, and support they need to help their child thrive. Utilizing a holistic, family-centered approach, coaching will increase parent confidence in understanding their child's needs and how they can best support their development.
This service can be provided in addition to pediatric OT services to help achieve better outcomes, or as a stand-alone service, virtually or in-person.
Sensory Processing
In-Service Presentation
Evidence-based in-service presentations and trainings can be provided in day-cares, pre-schools, and for families with many caregivers working with children who have sensory processing differences.
Inquiries welcome regarding new topics of interest related to occupational therapy!
Travel Therapy Mentorship
Interested in becoming a travel therapist? Not sure if you should start right after graduating and passing your boards? I'm here to tell you from first hand experience that it is possible!
Having a mentor helped me feel better prepared jumping into such unfamiliar territory as a new graduate. I have learned valuable lessons along the way as a school-based OT and love providing fellow therapists with the confidence and tools in their back pocket to take the leap into the travel therapy world.