Child Devlopment Services

---

Sensory development is a key foundational tool for learning, language, interactions and daily routines.  Sensory processing refers to how a child processes, prioritizes, and puts meaning to information, including tactile (touch) processing, visual input, auditory processing, proprioceptive (body awareness, motor planning and need for movement) and vestibular (movement of head in space) processing.  In addition, pediatric occupational therapists address overall modulation, or ability to regulate the body, which are foundations for sleep and emotional regulation.  Our clinic specializes in sensory processing.

Physical development includes gross motor skills, fine motor skills, strength, and coordination. Handwriting, fine motor development, and visual perceptual skills fall under this domain.  Additionally, occupational therapists target strength and coordination skills through climbing walls, obstacle courses, and more.

Adaptive development is a child’s ability to perform daily routines, including dressing, undressing, potty training, feeding, brushing teeth/hair and sleep. Occupational therapy’s goal is to support independence is these areas and target the underlying reason that acquiring this skill might be challenging to the child.

Emotional development is an area pediatric occupational therapists provide support. Children need to be open minded and flexible in their play; open to the ‘give and take’ of relationships and interactions. They need to establish connections with others. They also need to find ways to regroup or reorganize once escalated. Occupational therapists can be beneficial is this domain.