Children play to make sense of the world around them

The primary goal of childhood is to grow, learn, and play. Through play, children often make sense of the world around them. It is a child’s “job” or “occupation” to engage in play, which helps them develop physical coordination, emotional maturity, social skills for interacting with others, and the self-confidence to explore new experiences and environments.

Neurodevelopmental maturation and sensory motor development are the foundations for learning and behavior. Deficits in these areas can interfere with motor skills acquisition, social interaction, academic progress, and refined motor coordination. Early intervention can maximize a child’s potential.

Occupational therapists have expertise in evaluating children’s neurological, muscular, and emotional development, and determining the effects of infant and childhood disorders on growth and development.

The primary goal of my practice is to provide meaningful, challenging, and fun filled activities in a sensory rich environment. I treat children, ages birth thru the teen years, with developmental issues particularly those children within the autism spectrum. My facility is an attractive play-scape which invites countless opportunities to hang, climb, slide, swing, balance, jump, and tumble; as it is rearranged every session to provide exciting new experiences in order to improve a child’s motor planning ability. Within a short period of time, the child will acquire a wide repertoire of skills along with an increased desire to use them.

My 35 years of experience has shown that therapy sessions which address sensory processing, strength, balance, coordination, and flexibility, when presented with enthusiasm and encouragement, not only increases a child’s functional performance, but also has a very apparent influence on improved confidence and social interaction.

After an initial visit by the parent and child, individual or small special groupings, are arranged for each child. Each session involves a variety of engaging activities and strategies, with suggestions for ways that your child’s progress can be supported at home. Sessions are 60 minutes in length; the duration of your child program varies according to the identified difficulties, the individual’s neurological system, and the family’s ability to carry out supplemental activities at home. Significant progress can generally be seen after 6 months of once a week therapy sessions.