Occupational Therapy

What is Occupational Therapy?

Occupational Therapy is a profession dedicated to empowering individuals to thrive in their daily activities—also known as occupations. For children, these occupations include play, learning, self-care, and building relationships.

At its heart, pediatric Occupational Therapy nurtures and enhances the skills children naturally develop, supporting their ability to engage meaningfully with their environment. By recognizing each child's unique strengths, OT helps build the sensory and motor foundations that support confident exploration, learning, and connection.

Our services are grounded in collaboration and respect for each child’s individuality and family values. We offer:

• Holistic, strengths-informed evaluations

• Personalized therapy plans that reflect clinical insights and family priorities

• Home strategies, including sensory-rich routines and engaging activity suggestions

• Partnership with families, schools, and community programs to support consistent growth across settings

Our Occupational Therapy Team Supports Skills Such As:

• Daily Living Activities (ADLs) We foster independence by building on a child’s emerging abilities in dressing, grooming, eating, and other self-care tasks.

• Core Strength and Stability Enhancing postural strength enables children to participate with greater confidence in a wide range of activities—from sitting in class to active play.

• Motor Planning and Coordination By supporting a child’s ability to plan and carry out movements, we strengthen their capacity to engage in everyday routines and play with ease and creativity.

• Fine Motor Development We support the growth of precise, small movements needed for tasks like buttoning, handwriting, and using utensils, celebrating each developmental milestone along the way.

• Bilateral Coordination Children learn to skillfully use both sides of their body in tandem, a foundation for climbing, dressing, cutting, and active play.

• Oculomotor Skills Strengthening visual tracking and eye-hand coordination supports children in reading, writing, and navigating their world.

• Sensory Integration We help children build greater comfort and confidence in processing sensory input, using their natural strengths to create meaningful responses to sights, sounds, textures, movement, and more.

• Executive Functioning We nurture emerging skills like memory, time management, organization, and focused attention—building a strong foundation for learning and self-direction.

• Social Participation Supporting emotional regulation, play skills, and communication helps children connect with others and participate fully in group and community settings.

• Handwriting Developing efficient and legible writing allows children to express their thoughts and engage in learning with pride.

• Attention and Self-Regulation We work with each child’s natural rhythms to enhance their ability to focus, stay engaged, and manage transitions with increased ease.

What Makes Our Therapists Different?

At TLC, we believe in the power of collaboration. Every child’s success is supported by a team—and we recognize that the most meaningful progress happens when we work together. A child’s team includes not only their therapist, but also the caregivers, siblings, educators, medical providers, and specialists who are part of their daily life.

Our therapists partner with families to support skill development that fosters greater independence, confidence, and joy in the home, school, and community. We focus not just on foundational abilities but on empowering children to use their strengths in real-life, meaningful ways.

Continual Growth for Exceptional Care

Our therapists are lifelong learners, committed to staying informed on the most current, evidence-based practices. Through specialized training and certifications, they are equipped to tailor interventions that align with each child’s unique profile and potential.

Our team brings advanced knowledge and training in the following areas:

• Therapeutic Listening® A sound-based intervention that works in tandem with movement activities to support sensory processing, attention, behavior, posture, and communication. This approach helps children regulate and engage more effectively with their environments.

• Interactive Metronome® A rhythm-based program that enhances timing, sequencing, and coordination by activating the brain's natural ability to adapt and grow. It supports focus, motor planning, and overall cognitive performance through engaging, movement-driven exercises.

• Astronaut Training Protocol A multisensory program integrating movement (vestibular), sound (auditory), and vision to support balance, body awareness, and sensory organization—key for successful interaction with the world around them.

• Reflex Integration Supporting the integration of retained reflexes lays the groundwork for more fluid movement, attention, and postural control, helping children access higher-level skills with greater ease.

• Beckman Oral Motor Protocol A structured approach to developing the strength and control needed for effective speech, eating, and oral motor coordination.

• Handwriting Without Tears® A child-friendly, multisensory handwriting program that helps build fine motor, visual-motor, and cognitive skills needed for written communication—without frustration.

• Sensory Integration Therapy A play-based approach that helps children understand and respond to sensory input in ways that are organized, comfortable, and adaptive.

• SOS (Sequential Oral Sensory) Feeding Approach A relationship-based feeding program that supports children in developing a positive connection with food through gradual, respectful exposure and sensory exploration.

At TLC, our therapists are more than providers—they are trusted partners in your child’s journey. We meet each child with respect, curiosity, and belief in their capabilities.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who Experiences Sensory Integration Differences?

Sensory processing and integration differences are experienced by people across the lifespan and across all intellectual, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds. These differences may be present in individuals who were born prematurely or who are neurodivergent—including those with autism, developmental delays, learning differences, or attention-related challenges.

Rather than being a “problem,” these differences reflect variations in how the brain receives and responds to sensory input. For some individuals, this can affect participation in everyday tasks such as learning, communicating, or transitioning between activities.

Research shows that sensory processing differences are common—up to 70% of students with learning differences may benefit from sensory supports to enhance their ability to engage meaningfully in school and daily life.

What Are Some Signs That a Child May Benefit From Sensory Support?

Every child is unique, but some children may show signs that suggest their sensory systems are working hard to help them feel calm, safe, or ready to participate. These signs may include:

• Difficulty maintaining focus or shifting attention

• Constant movement or difficulty sitting still

• Sensitivity to certain textures, tastes, or grooming activities (e.g., brushing teeth or hair)

• High or low energy levels throughout the day

• Seeking intense movement (e.g., spinning, jumping, crashing)

• Delays in developing speech, motor skills, or coordination

• Emotional or behavioral challenges during transitions or in new environments

• Trouble calming down after excitement or stress

• Strong preferences for routine or sameness

• Using the mouth to explore non-food items (chewing, licking)

• Challenges with following multi-step instructions

• Fine motor difficulties such as awkward pencil grasp or messy handwriting

These signs are not “problems”—they are clues that a child may benefit from supportive strategies that help their brain and body work together more smoothly.

What is a Sensory Diet?

A sensory diet is a personalized plan of sensory-rich activities designed to help a child feel more calm, alert, and organized throughout the day. Just like a nutritional diet supports the body, a sensory diet supports the nervous system.

These activities can be woven into daily routines and may include movement, deep pressure, tactile play, oral input, or calming strategies. The goal is to help the individual reach an optimal level of regulation so they can learn, play, and participate with confidence.

A sensory diet is created by an occupational therapist in collaboration with the child and their caregivers, and can be carried out by families, educators, or even by the individual themselves as self-awareness grows.

What is a Home Exercise Program (HEP)?

A Home Exercise Program (HEP) is a personalized set of playful, purposeful activities designed to support a child’s progress outside of the clinic. Because most of a child’s learning and growth happens in everyday settings—at home, school, and in the community—we work closely with caregivers to create routines that build on therapy goals in meaningful, manageable ways.

A well-designed HEP supports the child’s development while empowering families with the tools, strategies, and confidence to continue that progress throughout the week. Parent and caregiver involvement is not just helpful—it’s a powerful part of the therapy journey.

How Can Occupational Therapy Support My Child?

Occupational therapy meets children where they are, celebrates their strengths, and helps build the skills they need to thrive in their daily lives. Through engaging, individualized activities, children often experience growth in the following areas:

• Greater self-confidence in their abilities to learn, play, and try new things

• Improved focus and sustained attention during tasks and routines

• More thoughtful decision-making and greater self-control

• Stronger emotional regulation, with fewer moments of frustration or distress

• More independence in daily routines like dressing, grooming, and mealtimes

• Easier transitions and greater flexibility in new or changing environments

• Enhanced body awareness for safer and more coordinated movement

• Improved handwriting and fine motor coordination for school participation

• Better ability to process sensory input, leading to calmer, more regulated responses

• Fewer sensory-seeking behaviors as the child learns to meet their needs in new ways

Each child’s journey is unique—and OT focuses on supporting them to feel successful, connected, and capable in their everyday world.