Pediatric Occupational Therapy
Expert Occupational Therapy for Children In Durham & Chapel Hill, NC
With our extensive experience and in-depth knowledge, your child will be supported by therapists who have addressed a wide spectrum of challenges, from early developmental delays to complex sensory, motor, and self-care needs.
Our Pediatric occupational therapists work with children and adolescents to improve their functional abilities and participation in daily activities. Occupational therapists may work in various settings, including schools, hospitals, clinics, and home health agencies. They collaborate with parents, teachers, and other healthcare professionals to develop individualized treatment plans and provide support and guidance to families.
Occupational Therapy Services for Kids:
Who can Benefit ?
Occupational therapy is here to help kids feel more confident and independent, no matter what challenges they’re facing. Whether your child struggles with daily routines, sensory issues, or has a specific diagnosis or delay, OT gives them the support they need to build important life skills.
Our pediatric occupational therapists get to know each child and create a plan just for them, helping them grow, take part in everyday activities, and tackle new things with courage. With the right support, everyday hurdles can turn into big accomplishments.
Have Questions? We are Here to Help!
Does My Child Need Occupational Therapy?
Wondering if occupational therapy could help your child? Check out the difficulties below—if any of these sound familiar, an evaluation for treatment may be appropriate:.
- Easily Distracted
- Poor Attention Span
- Overly Sensitive to Touch, Movement, Sounds or Sights
- Difficulty Accepting Change
- Doesn’t Skip, Jump, or Hop on One Foot
- Activity Level Usually High or Low
- Poor eye hand coordination
- Difficulty dressing
- Low Muscle Tone
- Limited Play Skills
- Walks on Toes
- Walks into People or Objects Frequently
- Inability to “Unwind” or “Self-Regulate”
- Attention Deficit Disorder
- Anxiety
- Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Brachial Plexus Disorder
- Cerebral Palsy
- Club Foot
- Coordination Disorder
- Down Syndrome
- Edwards’ Syndrome
- Feeding Difficulties
- Fragile X Syndrome
- GERD/GER
- Lack of Coordination
- Mitochondrial Disease
- Doesn’t Feed Self
- Clumsy / Uncoordinated
- Constantly Touches People or Object
- Muscle Weakness (generalized)
- Poor Social Interaction
- Difficulty Holding a Pencil or Handwriting (3+)
- Doesn’t Feed Self
- Doesn’t Chew Food Before Swallowing
- Clumsy / Uncoordinated
- Constantly Touches People or Object
- Muscle Weakness (generalized)
- Poor Social Interaction
- Difficulty Holding a Pencil or Handwriting (3+)
- Oppositional Defiant Disorder
- Prader-Willi Syndrome
- Prematurity
- Seizure Disorder
- Sensory Integration Dysfunction
- Sickle Cell Disease
- Spina Bifida
- Spinal Cord Trauma
- Stiffness of Joints
- Taylor Sachs Disease
- Torticollis
- Traumatic Brain Injury
- Trouble using spoon or fork
- Turner’s Syndrome
- Williams Syndrome
Personalized OT Serving Families in the Triangle
No matter what your child is facing, getting early, personalized help can make a world of difference. Our occupational therapists take the time to get to know your child and create one-on-one support that really fits their needs. If you’ve noticed any of these signs, reaching out for an evaluation could be the first step toward helping your child feel more confident and succeed in everyday life.
Testimonials
Frequently Asked Occupational Therapy Questions
Occupational therapy (OT) helps children develop the skills they need for daily living, such as:
- Self-care (dressing, feeding, toileting)
- Sensory processing and emotional regulation
- Handwriting and fine motor skills
- Attention and executive functioning
- Play and social interaction
Signs include:
- Difficulty with self-help tasks
- Trouble holding a pencil, using scissors, or tying shoes
- Sensory sensitivities or avoidance (e.g., clothing textures, loud noises)
- Poor coordination or frequent falls
- Difficulty with transitions or changes in routine
We work with children from infancy through adolescence, supporting a wide range of developmental and sensory-motor needs.
Sessions typically last 45 to 60 minutes, and frequency depends on your child’s individual needs and goals.
Yes, occupational therapists are trained to address sensory processing challenges and help children regulate their responses to sensory input to improve comfort and focus.
Coverage varies by plan. We accept most major insurance providers and will help you understand your benefits during the intake process. Private pay options are also available.
Your involvement is essential! Therapists provide coaching and practical strategies to help you support your child’s growth between sessions.
Absolutely! Pediatric occupational therapists support potty training by helping children develop the motor skills, sensory awareness, and routines needed for success. They provide practical strategies to promote independence and address challenges that may affect the process.
A Team Approach to Your Child's Care
At Therapy Smarts, we know that every child’s development is connected. Sometimes, a child who struggles with fine motor skills might also need a little extra help with speaking or moving.
Because we offer a wide range of services under one roof, our occupational therapists work hand-in-hand with our other specialists to give your child a complete, whole-body care plan. Depending on your child’s needs, their OT plan might coordinate perfectly with:
Speech Therapy: While our OTs help your child with the physical skills of eating or daily routines, our speech therapists can help them strengthen their mouth muscles and communicate their needs.
Physical Therapy (PT): Occupational therapy focuses on small movements (like holding a pencil), while our physical therapists focus on big movements (like running and jumping). Together, they help your child move safely and confidently!
ABA Therapy for Autism: For children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), our OTs work closely with our ABA team to help manage sensory overload and build independence in a fun, play-based setting.
ADHD Support: If your child struggles with focus and executive functioning, our occupational therapists provide amazing sensory tools and routines that help them succeed at home and in the classroom.
Caring for Triangle Families: The Therapy Support Your Child Needs to Succeed
Finding the right help for your child shouldn’t require you to be a medical expert. If you are noticing sensory meltdowns, clumsy hands, or constant frustration with basic tasks, it is time to take the guesswork out of the equation. We partner with schools, and families across the Triangle to replace those exhausting daily hurdles with real, noticeable progress—and a lot more smiles.
We are proud to offer two welcoming, sensory-friendly clinics for families across the Triangle in Durham and Chapel hill, NC