Yes. Sensory processing is one of the most common reasons families seek out pediatric occupational therapy, and OT can make a meaningful difference. Sensory processing refers to how the brain takes in information from our senses (touch, sound, movement, taste, smell, sight, and body awareness) and turns it into appropriate responses. When a child’s sensory system is over or under responsive, everyday experiences can feel overwhelming. Signs your child may have sensory processing challenges include extreme reactions to clothing fabrics, covering ears in loud or busy environments, avoiding messy play, avoiding certain food textures, constantly seeking movement, difficulty transitioning between activities, or trouble with personal space.

A pediatric occupational therapist helps children develop the everyday skills they need to grow, learn, and thrive. From getting dressed and grooming to playing with friends and managing their emotions. At Hearts and Hands Therapy, our occupational therapists work with children from birth to age 21 and address a wide range of skills including: fine motor skills, sensory processing, reflex integration, self-care independence, social and emotional regulation, executive functioning, completing household chores, and reaching key developmental milestones.

Yes. Occupational therapy can play a significant role in helping children develop stronger executive functioning skills. Executive functioning refers to our ability to plan, focus, remember instructions, and manage multiple tasks at once. Children who struggle with executive functioning may have difficulty starting or completing tasks, staying organized, controlling impulses, following multi-step directions, and adapting to change. Our occupational therapists take a play-based approach to building these skills through structured activities and real-life practice.

Yes. Occupational therapists help with picky eating, particularly when it is rooted in sensory processing challenges. Your child may be processing the taste, texture, smell, or appearance of food in a way that feels overwhelming or uncomfortable. Our occupational therapists will help to identify the underlying sensory or motor reasons behind your child’s food aversions. Our occupational therapists use play-based strategies to help your child feel more comfortable when exploring new foods.

Yes. Primitive reflexes are automatic movement patterns that develop before birth and during early infancy to support survival and early development. As a child grows, these reflexes are naturally integrated by the central nervous system, making way for higher-level motor and cognitive skills to develop. However, when primitive reflexes stick around longer than expected, they can interfere with a child’s development and make everyday activities much harder than they need to be. Retained primitive reflexes have been linked to challenges with handwriting, academic skills, visual motor skills, feeding, balance and coordination, self-regulation, attention, and so much more. At Hearts and Hands Therapy, our occupational therapists are trained to identify retained reflexes and use targeted, play-based activities to help integrate them, so your child can move, learn, and grow with greater ease and confidence.

The 1-hour evaluation includes learning about your concerns, your child’s strengths, medical and developmental history, daily challenges across environments, and goals you have for your child. The clinician will assess your child’s skills, determine areas of growth or gaps in skills, and make recommendations based on testing and clinical observation. They will also set short- and long-term goals. They will then send a plan of care over to your child’s pediatrician and will request an authorization from your insurance company if required.  Many children begin therapy 1-2 times per week to build momentum and support progress. Our goal is to help your child grow in confidence, independence and everyday success.