What is pediatric occupational therapy?

Pediatric Occupational Therapists assist in the assessment and treatment of sensory and motor skills, perceptual motor skills, social interaction, attention, fine motor skills, upper extremity abilities, learning problems, and other functional skills of children. We help kids develop the skills to perform the tasks of their everyday lives with creative methods that are always fun. We use play, toys, music, humor and games to motivate children to achieve the goals of their therapy.

How can I tell if my child needs OT?

Your child’s occupation is to play, learn and grow.  If you observe that there are things preventing them from doing this, you might consider an evaluation with one of our OT’s.  Does she have trouble sitting still, even for a short period of time? Is he forming his letters incorrectly resulting in illegible handwriting? Is disorganization the cause of incomplete or missing school assignments? Are social situations awkward or does he avoid them?  Read about more signs here.

What is Sensory Integration (SI)?

Sensory Integration is the neurological process that organizes sensation from one’s own body and the environment, thus making it possible to use the body effectively within the environment. Specifically, it deals with how the brain processes multiple sensory modality inputs into usable functional outputs. Our therapists have expertise in utilizing sensory integration strategies.

Does my health insurance cover your services?

TLC accepts many major insurance plans and is an out of network provider for others.  All insurance plans are different and insurance companies are complicated.  For this reason, we will help you navigate what your plan may cover.

 How often will my child have appointments? And for how many visits?

Some children visit multiple times per week, some attend less frequently and for various durations. After your evaluation, we will set a course of therapy tailored to your child’s needs.

What will my child do in a session with an OT?

Activities are highly specialized and vary greatly depending on the child and your goals. In general, we use an individualized, multi-sensory, functional treatment approach to therapy. For example, we may use a swing to help develop a child’s core strength and improve balance and coordination.  We may work on handwriting skills by forming letters in shaving cream and exercising fine motor skills with crafts and games.