Signs Your Child Might Need Feeding Therapy (and How it Helps Them Eat Better)
Mealtimes get hard for a lot of families around Durham and Chapel Hill. Dinner turns stressful, sometimes into a nightly battle, and you are left
Therapy Smarts is proud to announce we have been voted,
“Best Therapists” in Chapel Hill & Durham!


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 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.

Wondering if feeding therapy could help your child? Check out the difficulties below- if any of these sound familiar, an evaluation treatment would be appropriate.
Wondering if occupational therapy could help your child? Check out the difficulties below- if any of these sound familiar, an evaluation treatment would be appropriate.

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.
Occupational therapy (OT) helps children develop the skills they need for daily living, such as:
Signs include:
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.

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.
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
Mealtimes get hard for a lot of families around Durham and Chapel Hill. Dinner turns stressful, sometimes into a nightly battle, and you are left
If you have searched “pediatric OT near me” after another difficult morning, you are probably not looking for a definition of occupational therapy. You are

Why Is Sleep So Important for Children? Between school, therapy appointments, sports, activities, homework, playtime, family time, and everything else packed into a child’s day,