So, just what does a play therapist do all day? Well, a lot.

Occupational therapists, or OTs, work with people of all ages. Our main focus in occupational therapy is on what we call ADLs, which stands for Activities of Daily Living. BADLs (or Basic Activities of Daily Living) for people of all ages include self-feeding, dressing, grooming (brushing teeth, combing hair, hand washing), toileting, and showering/bathing. For children, ADLs also include play skills and being able to participate in learning at school, whether that be handwriting and fine motor skills, being able to sit and engage in learning activities, or being able to interact appropriately with peers.

Need gift ideas for the kiddos in your life? We can help! Check out our list of therapist-recommended toys. Click on the image to shop!

The holidays are an exciting time for many families and kids. We see friends and family who we may not see much of other times of the year. That excitement is often expressed with hugs, kisses, and enthusiastic greetings, all of which can be overwhelming and sometimes unwanted for kids. Because of this, it is important for kids to be allowed to decide whether or not they want to engage in physical affection with others.

October brings lots of warm and cozy feelings. Pumpkin spice lattes, buffalo plaid prints, cooler nights, and looking into your insurance benefits for the following year to make sure you are getting enough coverage. Is it just me looking at insurance benefits? Anyone else? Well, you should be!

Parents express frustration about their kids having tantrums. This is a particularly common issue for kids between the ages of 2 and 5 but still happens with kids of all ages. Conventional parenting wisdom often encourages us to ignore the behavior, distract and redirect their attention to something else, or put them in timeout until they’ve calmed down. While these strategies may stop that particular tantrum, they are not always effective long-term.

To a play therapist, this picture tells a story of a kiddo who carries some heavy things. They were anxious about being in a new space. They worry about a lot of big things. They haven’t been able to make sense of those things on their own and don’t know what to do with their big feelings. This is a kiddo who doesn’t often feel in control of their life, which is scary for kids. This “mess” came with the opportunity to decide what they wanted to do, including whether or not they wanted to put things away. This opportunity to make these choices helped this kiddo start to feel safe in this space and with the therapist. And feeling safe is an important first step in therapy.

While the back-to-school season is typically an exciting time for most, many children struggle with this transition. This year especially, as students return to school after over a year of virtual or hybrid learning, they may need some extra support to prepare them for the new school year. Below are some ways you can help ease this transition and make sure your kiddo is ready to roll for their first day of school!

Emotions are tough! Emotional intelligence can help kids and parents alike in being happier and more successful in relationships, work, and school. Today we will talk about one part of emotional intelligence, self-awareness.

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! However, sometimes it can be the most stressful. With these tips and tricks, we hope to make holiday activities a little less overwhelming for the whole family. This may be extra helpful for children(and parents) with sensory issues.