How Occupational therapy can help your child

At SkyClimb Sensory Development Center, we believe in the power of a child’s nervous system to adapt and thrive. Our approach goes beyond traditional occupational therapy—it’s about rewiring sensory processing, reworking primitive reflexes, and reconnecting with co-regulation to help your child gain mastery over their emotional regulation, sensory issues, and overall daily functioning. We take an individualized approach to help children fully engage in social, academic, and recreational activities, empowering them to perform at their best. If your child struggles with any of the areas below, an OT evaluation could be the next step toward unlocking their potential.

AUDITORY

  • Overwhelmed response to loud, public spaces such as school gyms
  • Distraction caused by barely noticeable sounds such as clocks, fans
  • Overreacting to loud, unexpected noises such as fire drills
  • Difficulty filtering out important sounds (teacher’s voice)
  • Needing directions to be repeated

COORDINATION

  • Using both sides of the body in a coordinated fashion
  • Riding a bike, skipping, jumping jacks, and ball skills
  • Pouring liquids without spilling

FEEDING & EATING

  • Limited food repertoire, extremely picky eater
  • Defensive reactions to food textures and tastes, may gag easily
  • Difficulty chewing
  • Overstuffing mouth with food
  • Disliking toothbrushing or having face washed

FINE MOTOR

  • Handwriting (legible letters, correct sizing and spacing, slow speed)
  • Awkward pencil grasp
  • Hand fatigue after writing for short periods
  • Trouble with clothing fasteners or tying shoes
  • Challenge cutting with scissors

PRAXIS

  • A child’s ability to conceptualize, organize, and direct unfamiliar purposeful actions.
  • Trouble dressing self​​
  • Utensil use when eating
  • Apprehension when trying new activities
  • Completing multi-step craft activities
  • Imitating body position
  • Craves rigid routine

Proprioception

  • Chewing on nonfood objects, such as clothing
  • Playing too rough; difficulty being gentle with pets
  • Breaking objects frequently
  • Bumping into people and objects accidentally
  • Liking clothes to be extra tight

SOCIAL

  • Cooperation with peers
  • Recognizing verbal & nonverbal cues
  • Following game rules
  • Initiating & maintaining conversations
  • Self-regulation during unstructured play

TACTILE

  • Toe walking
  • Disliking grooming activities such as haircuts, shampooing, & nail cutting
  • Sensitivity to clothing texture, tags positioning of socks
  • Avoiding messy play or wanting to wash hands right away once dirty
  • Overreacting to unexpected touch or cuddles

VESTIBULAR

  • Affects a child’s attention and alertness
  • Your child can be a seeker and crave vestibular input, or an avoider and be scared of vestibular input
  • Fear of feet leaving the ground
  • “Daredevil” or dangerous at times
  • Poor core strength and balance
  • Rocking body or shaking head while seated
  • Abnormal muscle tone (low or high)

Visual

  • Positioning head very close to book/desk when reading & writing
  • Becoming easily visually distracted
  • Complaining that a worksheet or background is too “busy”
  • Difficulty locating items in plain view
  • Losing place or fatiguing easily when reading
  • Reversing words or letters (after 2nd grade)

We see clients of all ages!

  • Babies
  • Toddlers
  • Grade-Schoolers
  • Adolescents
  • Teenagers
  • Adults with sensory processing concerns