Services

This list will give you a good idea what a typical therapy session will look like, based on your child's specific needs.

Vestibular Stimulation

Vestibular input (the sense of movement, centered in the inner ear). Any type of movement will stimulate the vestibular receptors, but spinning, swinging, and hanging upside down provide the most intense, longest lasting input. Vestibular input is important as it is the first sensory system developed in the womb. Vestibular input is important for children's development because it helps them maintain balance and trunk control and also helps them to successfully interact with their environment for fine motor, visual motor (e.g. tracking a moving object), gross motor, sports activities and self-care activities. This input can be calming and organizing to the nervous system and can also create alertness if needed.

Tactile

Using the tactile brushing program, tactile play, and different textures, children can increase tolerance to tags on clothing, food sensitivities and tolerance of different materials.

Visual

Eye-hand coordination skills, visual motor/perceptual, tracking and convergence skills are used by children in everyday activities. When these skills are below age level, a child can have difficulty with writing, reading, balance and leisure/sports activities.

Integrated Listening System (iLs) Program

iLs combines auditory, visual and balance activities to strengthen neural pathways for improved learning and processing. iLs is based on the fact that we can change our brain – we can essentially re-wire it through specific and repeated stimulation, a concept known as neuroplasticity. As in building strength and endurance with physical exercise, we are able to build neurological pathways and synaptic activity at any age.

iLs trains for brain/body integration through a staged approach, starting with the fundamentals of sensory integration and then extending through more complex cognitive functions, including language, self-expression and social skills.

Bilateral Coordination

Bilateral coordination refers to the ability to coordinate both sides of the body at the same time in a controlled and organized manner. Good bilateral integration/ coordination is an indicator that both sides of the brain are communicating effectively and sharing information. Children who have difficulty coordinating both sides of their body can have difficulty completing daily living tasks (dressing, tying shoes), fine motor activities (banging blocks together, stringing beads, buttoning), visual motor tasks (drawing, writing, cutting, catching/ throwing), and gross motor activities (crawling, walking, climbing stairs, riding a bike). “Crossing the midline” is an integral skill related to bilateral coordination. Crossing the midline refers to the ability to spontaneously cross over the midline of the body during motor completion/ functional tasks such as reaching for an object or drawing a cross on a paper.

Manage Sensitivities, Anxiety and Impulsivity

Through use of Yoga positions, Brain GymTM, anxiety strategies, stretching and breathing children can learn “tools” to help with self-control and dealing with fears. Difficulties in these areas can affect how they function in the classroom and in the home. With strategies, they can become more independent in their environments.

Fine Motor Skills

Grip and pinch strength, dexterity, pencil grasp, in-hand manipulation and manual dexterity skills are also used by children every day. Any weaknesses or delays in these areas affect a child’s independence at home and in the classroom settings.

HANDWRITING

Not only do we address pencil grasp and legibility, but we also address formation of letters, size constancy and placement on line. A good foundation of handwriting skills is very important for children to be confident, independent writers.

DAILY LIVING SKILLS

Dressing skills such as putting on shoes/socks, tying laces, manipulating buttons, hooks, zippers and belts are skills children are learning as they grow. Grooming, hygiene and brushing teeth are also daily activities that children need to learn to be independent in as they get older. Sometimes sensory processing difficulties can affect grooming and dressing skills.

FEEDING / ORAL MOTOR SKILLS

Using a battery operated toothbrush, exposure to new foods and increasing oral tone/awareness are areas that are also addressed.

Functional Skills

Walking in line, sitting still in class, counting money, telling time and peer relations is a short list of all the things children are doing and learning.

Attention span

 Learning organizational skills, using visual schedules and behavior/attention charts are used to help children improve attention and focus. Exercises for brain/body connections are also used to improve cognitive functions.

Gross Motor Skills

 Running, jumping, skipping, balancing, hopping and kicking a ball are all skills children want to achieve to play. These skills require coordinated movements, motor planning and focus.

Strengthening

 Exercises to strengthen core muscles, neck, arms, legs, hands and fingers are performed to help improve function and independence in all daily activities.

Reflex Integration

Primitive reflexes, when not integrated, can effect several fine, visual and gross motor skills. They can also effect impulsivity. Exercises to integrate Asymmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex (ATNR), Symmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex (STNR), Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex (TLR) and Moro Reflex are performed so that children can improve in many areas and overall quality of life.

Telehealth Services: New as of March, 2020!

We offer Telehealth OT or consults to provide continued quality service to families at home. During the “stay at home” time, kids may need extra support and parents may benefit from a consult to help their children as they are doing online school at home. Please contact for more information.