Supporting Your Child’s Sensory and Motor Development
Our occupational therapy team collaborates with the child, family, and other related professionals to build upon a child’s strengths in sensory processing, fine and gross motor coordination, executive functioning, and independence within daily routines. Our team focuses on providing realistic strategies to promote enjoyment, regulation, and participation in meaningful activities. Our therapists have experience and knowledge in the following areas:
Sensory Regulation & Support
- Building a child and family’s awareness of individual body signals, energy levels, and sensory needs
- Collaborating to create a personalized toolkit of strategies that help increase comfort with new and familiar sensory experiences
- Navigating sensitive moments and transitions with trusted adults
- Identifying aspects of a school, home, or community environment that may be modified to promote regulation and attention
- Understanding and responding to internal body signals (interoception) such as hunger, thirst, and needing to use the bathroom
Fine Motor, Visual Motor, Visual Perceptual, & Gross Motor Development
- Developing fine motor, gross motor, and two-handed coordination skills through play
- Strengthening hand skills for writing, cutting, and utensil use
- Building motor planning, endurance, and body awareness
- Adapting materials or activities to support graded participation in their valued activities
Toileting, Dressing, Self-Care, & Sleep Hygiene
- Supporting independence with dressing, toileting, and hygiene routines
- Learning tips and tricks for managing fasteners, tying shoes, and coordinating tricky movements
- Establishing and adapting morning and bedtime routines to reduce family stress and increase confidence
Executive Function & Daily Routines
- Supporting organization, task initiation, and problem-solving with multi-step routines
- Helping children manage flexibility through transitions, routines, and new experiences
- Developing sustained attention, impulse control, and persistence through challenges
Social-Emotional Development, Play, & Self-Advocacy
- Working alongside mental health practitioners to grow self-awareness, mind-body connection, and navigate experiences that provoke emotional responses
- Practicing problem-solving, perspective-taking, and self-advocacy in everyday settings
- Relationship-building within play to access other more complex development in communication, regulation, and motor skills
- Accessing regulation tools within peer settings and schools
Feeding & Mealtimes
- Increasing comfort within mealtime routines
- Collaborate with speech-language pathologists and/or social workers to explore new and familiar foods with an emphasis on supporting positive relationships and experiences with food
- Utensil use and adaptations for independent self-feeding
Health Promotion & Education
- Developing awareness of senses, experiences, and body functions
- Scaffolding understanding of neurodiversity, diagnoses, and personal identity with an emphasis on strengths and understanding personal regulation and executive function support needs
Our therapy approach is grounded in connection, co-regulation, and play. We support neurodivergent children and children with a wide range of learning styles, movement patterns, and sensory preferences, including those who identify as autistic, have an ADHD profile, require mental health support, or have other neurodevelopmental differences. We work alongside children and families to support meaningful skills within everyday routines while always honoring each child’s individual sensory, motor, and emotional experience of the world.
How do I know if my child needs an occupational therapy evaluation?
Occupational therapy may be a good fit for your child if you’re noticing they could benefit from help with:
- Identifying safe and accessible outlets for movement or sensory seeking to stay engaged
- Navigating sensory sensitivities in everyday life, such as noise or textures
- Completing daily routines such as dressing, brushing teeth/hair, feeding, bathing, or getting restful sleep
- Using writing utensils, handwriting, or using their hands to manipulate small objects
- Experiencing big feelings or needing extra support with flexibility or transitions
- Expanding their attention and focus in school settings or through sequencing their daily routines
- Understanding how to work with their neurotype to maximize strengths, to stay regulated, and complete their daily activities
If you are interested in learning more about our occupational therapy services or to set up your first appointment, please contact us at (773) 332-9439 or fill out our contact form.
Now Offering Intensive Therapy
We now offer an intensive therapy program for children with neurologically-based differences or who may benefit from an immersive therapy experience. During this three-week program, your child will receive physical and occupational therapy for a combined three hours of therapy each day, four days per week (M-Th). The goal of intensive therapy is to foster rapid progress through personalized, play-based, and collaborative therapy approaches. Each individualized daily session is composed of 90 minutes of physical therapy and 90 minutes of occupational therapy.
