An occupational therapist is a healthcare professional trained in fields such as neuroscience, anatomy, kinesiology, physical function, and psychology. Certified through a national examination, they help individuals—children and adults alike—reach their fullest potential in everyday activities like self-care, play, school, and work.

Using an evidence-based, client-centered approach, occupational therapists design personalized interventions that support development, independence, and participation in meaningful tasks.

For examples of challenges and concerns that occupational therapy can address, please refer to our Examples of Challenges/Concerns.

Simply practicing a difficult task on its own often isn’t enough for a child to improve. Instead, occupational therapy focuses on identifying and developing the underlying skills that a child needs to succeed in that task.

For example, a child struggling to hold a pencil may undergo an initial assessment that reveals foundational skills—such as hand strength, coordination, or sensory processing—are still developing. Through fun, meaningful activities tailored to the child’s needs, therapy sessions work on strengthening these essential skills. This targeted approach supports the child in gradually mastering a more effective pencil grasp and improving overall handwriting ability.

By addressing the root causes, occupational therapy helps children build confidence and independence in everyday tasks.

At Root Occupational Therapy Services, therapy sessions are designed to be playful, engaging, and tailored to each child’s unique needs. Children develop essential skills through enjoyable activities that provide the “just right challenge” — not too easy, not too hard — encouraging active participation and growth.

Our approach helps children build confidence through repeated successes while working steadily toward their individual goals. Each session is thoughtfully planned and grounded in the latest evidence-based practices to ensure meaningful progress in a supportive and fun environment.

We highly recommend scheduling sessions once a week, as progress in occupational therapy builds gradually—much like stacking blocks one by one. Consistency and continuity are key to helping your child achieve steady improvement.

If you ever need to cancel a session, we strive to offer a make-up appointment whenever possible to keep your child’s progress on track.

Please refer to “About Sensory Processing/Integration”

When sensory information is not accurately perceived or organized by the brain, it can impact a child’s motor skills, behavior, and ability to interact effectively with their environment. These challenges may affect coordination, attention, emotional regulation, and everyday functioning.

For more information, please refer to the section "Sings of SPD”.

Difficulty sitting still can be a sign of sensory processing challenges, but it may also be related to other underlying factors. A thorough observation of your child in natural settings, combined with specialized sensory processing assessments, is essential to accurately understand their needs.

Please feel free to contact Root Occupational Therapy Services for more information or to schedule an evaluation. Please contact Root for further information.

While everyone experiences some sensory challenges at times, occupational therapy is recommended when sensory processing difficulties significantly impact a child’s daily life, such as their ability to focus, play, learn, or interact with others.

If you’re concerned about your child, please contact Root Occupational

Therapy Services for a consultation and guidance on the next steps.

Please contact Root for further information.

While regular sports provide great physical exercise, sensory processing therapy is a specialized form of treatment that begins with careful evaluation and observation by a qualified therapist. Based on assessment results, therapy involves targeted, purposeful play and activities designed to help your child experience and process the specific sensory inputs they need to improve regulation and functioning.

Sports alone typically do not provide the individualized support that sensory integration therapy offers.