Understanding Pediatric OT

Discover if working with our New Hampshire occupational therapists is right for your child

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A young girl crawls out of an obstacle course at a clinic for occupational therapy in New Hampshire

What Is Occupational Therapy?

Pediatric occupational therapy focuses on helping children develop the skills they need to grow into functional, independent adults. Physical impairment, injuries and a developmental disabilities child’s.impact a child’s ability to perform necessary tasks or progress through the stages of typical development. 

Occupational therapists work with children and their families to identify goals and provide therapuetic intervention to help children overcome these barriers. OT can also help kids and their caregivers better understand their unique sensory needs and learn strategies to manage challenges with attention, behavior and communication.

Common Questions About OT for Kids

Still wondering if occupational therapy in New Hampshire is right for your child? Learn more about OT services and get your questions answered.

How do I know if my child needs occupational therapy?
It depends. Sometimes you may already be working with a doctor or other medical specialist who will recommend OT services. Your child may not be meeting developmental milestones or may struggle with fine motor or gross motor skills. Other times, you may simply notice that your child struggles with certain daily activities, behavioral challenges or while interacting with other kids. 

The best way to know if your child could benefit from occupational therapy is to contact an OT to discuss your child’s needs and get an evaluation. If you’re considering occupational therapy in New Hampshire, contact our team today to learn more.

What happens at occupational therapy for kids?
What happens in each OT appointment will depend on your child’s unique needs. At Adaptive Pediatric Therapy, we focus on play-based therapy designed to keep kids engaged.

We help children work toward a variety of goals, which could include:

  • motor milestones
  • self-care skills like dressing and grooming
  • fine motor skills like handwriting or cutting
  • sensory and emotional regulation
  • and more

Activities might include practicing getting dressed independently, using an obstacle course to build climbing and jumping skills or modeling of play and social skills. After an OT evaluation, your occupational therapist will determine a unique treatment plan for your child based on their needs.

What can an OT diagnose?
At Adaptive Pediatric Therapy, our occupational therapists don’t provide diagnoses to our clients. However, we do take a holistic, big-picture approach to treatment. If we think your child may fit the criteria for a specific diagnosis or may need the help of an additional specialist or medical professional, we can help connect you with the support they need.
Can occupational therapy help with behavior problems?
Absolutely! In fact, many times what parents and teachers see as “behavioral issues” are in fact sensory-seeking behaviors or challenges with emotional regulation.

When you work with an occupational therapist, you’ll gain a key understanding of the sensory and developmental needs that might be at the root of behavioral issues. You and your child will also learn strategies you can use to better manage challenging behavior in the moment. 

Can occupational therapy help with ____________?
We get this question all the time 🙂 Can occupational therapy help with….anxiety, autism, ADHD, physical disabilities, cognitive disabilities, etc? While each child is unique, occupational therapy can offer key support for a broad range of diagnoses and childhood challenges.

If you’re wondering if OT will help your child, there’s a good chance that it will. If you’re looking for occupational therapy in New Hampshire, be sure to contact Adaptive Pediatric Therapy to learn more.

How long will it take for OT to help my child?
It depends. While some children may only need OT support for a few months, many children will see an occupational therapist throughout their childhood. An OT can help your child hit new milestones and build new functional skills throughout their early and teen years, adapting their services as your child’s needs change.

Once you meet with an occupational therapist for an evaluation, we’ll develop a personalized treatment plan for your child. Throughout treatment, we’ll check on their progress regularly to ensure they are meeting their goals and reassess their treatment needs. 

How much does occupational therapy for kids cost?

Costs of occupational therapy in New Hampshire will vary depending on your child’s treatment plan and whether or not your insurance covers OT services.

At Adaptive Pediatric Therapy, we accept the following insurance for OT treatment:

  • NH Medicaid –  New Hampshire Healthy Families, Wellsense, AmeriHealth Caritas, NH Medicaid
  • Private Insurance – Anthem BCBS, Tuff, United HealthCare, ChampVA, Cigna, Harvard Pilgrim, Aetna

You pay a lot for your insurance and we want to help you use your benefits. If you do not see your insurance on this list please reach out to us to inquire.

Ready To Get Started?

Contact Adaptive Pediatric Therapy today to get started with occupational therapy in New Hampshire – at our Stratham, NH clinic, in your home or online.

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Contact Us

(207) 370-1744
admin@adaptivepediatrictherapy.com
118 Portsmouth Ave, Building A      Suite A1A, Stratham, NH 03885

Schedule A Free Consultation