Most parents who reach out to me are not sure whether what they are seeing “counts.” They have a feeling that something is harder than it should be, and they are not sure who to ask. If that is you, this is for you.
You do not need a diagnosis to start
Pediatric occupational therapy is not only for children with a diagnosis. It supports any young child working on connection, communication, regulation, play, or participation in daily life, whether or not there is a label attached. Some children simply benefit from extra support in connection, play, and regulation.
What parents usually notice first
- Certain sounds, textures, movements, clothing, foods, or environments seem especially difficult for your child.
- Big emotions, and difficulty calming once upset.
- Getting dressed, eating, leaving the house, bedtime, or transitions feel harder than they should.
- Your child is very sensitive, or very sensory-seeking, always moving, crashing, or touching.
- Play looks different: lining things up, repeating the same action, or not wanting you to join.
- Mealtimes are a struggle, with a very short list of accepted foods.
- You are not sure what your child is trying to tell you, and neither are they.
None of these means something is wrong with your child. Each one is information about how your child experiences the world.
What a pediatric OT actually looks at
As an occupational therapist, I look at how sensory processing, regulation, motor development, play, communication, and everyday activities affect your child’s ability to participate and connect. We may look at sensory preferences and processing, regulation and arousal, motor planning, fine and gross motor development, play skills, daily routines, feeding and mealtime participation, self-care, and communication and engagement.
This combination lets therapy look beyond a single skill and consider the whole child. Just as importantly, I get to know your child as a person. What makes them laugh? What captures their attention? What helps them feel safe?
What a first conversation is like
An initial consultation is a chance to slow down, ask questions, and explore whether a relationship-based, child-led approach feels right for your family. There is no pressure to commit to therapy. If it makes sense to go further, a developmental evaluation is where we build a real picture of your child’s strengths, needs, sensory processing, communication, regulation, and everyday functioning.
Everything happens in your home, where your child is comfortable and where the routines that are hard actually happen. And caregiver coaching is built into every session, so you are learning alongside your child from the very first visit.
If you are still not sure
You do not have to know exactly what your child needs before you reach out. That is what the first conversation is for. Fees are listed openly on the Services page, and the Sensory & Regulation page goes deeper on the things parents notice first.
Not sure where to start?
You don’t need to know exactly what your child needs before you reach out. Tell me a little about your child, what’s bringing you here, and what you’re hoping to understand or change. We’ll start there.
Let’s talk about your child · Growing Through Play provides in-home pediatric occupational therapy, DIR/Floortime®, and caregiver coaching for families in Wallingford and surrounding central Connecticut communities.