Every child deserves to have access to the tools they need to thrive regardless of what mental or physical challenges they may experience. For many kids, occupational therapy is the bridge that allows them to play, learn, and grow as they should. Suppose your child has been diagnosed with a physical, cognitive, or sensory disability, you will want to learn about occupational therapy and how it might improve your child’s quality of life.

 (OT) is an area of health care that can help individuals with physical, cognitive, and sensory disabilities adapt to their surroundings. Its primary focus is allowing disabled people to live more independently. Occupational therapy can be personalized to help people of all ages. In most cases, occupational therapy for kids is overseen by an occupational therapist who is responsible for helping the child with specific physical, emotional, or social needs overcome obstacles by performing everyday activities in creative manners, such as using a wheelchair for a person who has difficulty walking.

Why Would a Child Need Occupational Therapy? 

If a child has a physical, cognitive, or sensory disability, performing ordinary tasks may be more challenging for them than for their peers. Working with a pediatric occupational therapist could be helpful. With the help of an occupational therapist, a child with autism may discover ways to interact more comfortably with their classmates, or a kid with a physical disability may learn how to perform everyday tasks, such as tying their shoes.

The Benefits of Occupational Therapy for Kids

Occupational therapy can be an invaluable asset to them and their families for a child struggling to do well in school, interact with their peers, or complete ordinary tasks. Here are some of the many benefits occupational therapy can provide kids of all ages:

For children with cognitive disabilities, learning how to interact appropriately around others is sometimes quite difficult. With the help of OT, kids can learn how to manage their emotions, communicate clearly and confidently, and improve their overall social awareness.

Whether a child has difficulty performing fine motor skills, such as holding a pencil to write, or gross motor skills, such as moving their legs to walk, OT can help. An occupational therapist can help the child improve these skills and eventually overcome their problem by focusing on their particular issues.

For children who feel over-stimulated or under-stimulated by particular things that they see, taste, hear, smell, or touch, it's normal to try to avoid those things. Unfortunately, this isn't always possible and can cause behavioral problems when they face their triggers. OT can help kids with sensory processing issues appropriately deal with these situations.

When a kid has trouble doing something that their peers find easy, it can negatively impact how they feel about themselves. With the help of OT, children can learn how to interact confidently with others and feel proud of themselves for tackling problems that may have previously seemed impossible to solve.

Maximize Your Child's Development with Marshall Pediatric Therapy 

No matter what disability your child may have, it's possible for them to live a happy, healthy life. Occupational therapy for kids can give your child and family the tools you need to help your child learn, grow, and thrive. To learn more about how you can maximize your child's development with the help of occupational therapy, contact the experienced team at 

What is Occupational Therapy for Kids?

As a parent or caregiver, it might be crossing your mind: "how do I help to develop a consistent routine for my child, but also make that routine actually work for my child and our family?" If you are, you are certainly not alone! The professional support from Marshall Pediatric Therapy's clinicians could make the world of difference in the dynamic of your day-to-day. 

Developing a routine for children helps to give them structure and consistency, which also greatly impacts their overall 

 These routines do not need to be strict schedules or you could be facing some resentment or a negative result. Instead, it can be done simply by creating an environment that is rather predictable so children know what to expect on a day-to-day basis. 

The neat thing about routines is that one single routine does not have to work for all families universally. Instead, families have the ability to create daily routines that cater to their specific needs, values, and schedules. This is especially helpful when there are multiple children and individuals involved with varying requirements. 

According to one of our recent blog posts, 

suggests that a child spends a minimum of one hour outside partaking in physical activity.

 Now more than ever, children are introduced to and dependent on electronic devices to problem-solve or find some sort of connection more than ever. It is through a routine that a parent can help to define boundaries. 

10 reasons that a daily routine is important for your child:

 help to improve or restore activities that are associated with that of daily living. By doing so, OTs introduce children to independence. Each of our brains functions in a way that permits us to adapt to the behaviors being faced.  

For a simple way to start to help get your child more on track at home, we're providing you with a downloadable schedule tracker. A really great way to visually interpret and recognize a routine as it's forming and working out well. 

For more information about how Marshall Pediatric Therapy's services could benefit your family, we'd love to speak with you anytime and answer absolutely any questions you have! 

The Importance of Developing a Daily Routine 

Finding balance behind a screen. Why it's important and ways that we all play a part.

It's no secret that electronics have become a significant part of EACH of our everyday lives. Due to the fact that we are constantly surrounded by technology, whether that be in our homes, at work, or out and about, it's been rather hard to avoid screens. 

 during the Pandemic, the average usage of screen time in children increased anywhere from 2-4 hours in length. Data indicates that the usage of TV and cell phone equates to an unhealthy amount of up to SEVEN hours spent in front of the screen for "play", which does not include time at school or for the purpose of education. Ultimately, the time spent behind a screen takes away the time that is necessary to spend being active. 

It is suggested that children partake in a minimum of 60 minutes of physical activity EACH and every day to lessen the risk of 

Other effects of too much screen time may include or be directly linked to:

While usage of screen time in this day and age is rather inevitable, moderation is absolutely key. Avoiding screen time nearly entirely is suggested by healthcare professionals for children that are under the age of two. After the age of two, it is recommended to keep screen time to two hours or less per day. Some ways you can limit screen time is to avoid screens when getting ready for school, at the dinner table while eating, when doing homework if it's not necessary, or right before bedtime. 

When keeping screen time in moderation, a child can best learn things such as letters, shapes, colors, and numbers, explore their interests and build communication skills. A few ways that parents or guardians can ensure that screen time is beneficial or engaging can be done by: 

To speak with one of our expert clinicians, contact us today!

Screen Time for Kids: Finding Balance 

Anxiety in children is much more common than many people realize – 

 children will experience clinical-level anxiety. However, there are specific techniques and methods that can help children deal with their anxiety in healthy and beneficial ways. It is essential for parents – as well as teachers and caregivers – to be prepared with these tools in order to best help their children manage anxiety. 

By keeping these six tips in mind, you can give your child the tools necessary to not only deal with their anxiety, but to overcome it.

Don't Avoid Things Just Because They Make a Child Anxious

When a child is triggered by something and experiences an anxiety attack from being around it, removing the trigger may seem like an easy solution to combat the child's negative feelings. However, this isn't always the best idea. 

By avoiding triggers, they never learn how to cope with their anxiety. Avoiding things that make the child uncomfortable can actually feed their anxiety in the long run. It is more beneficial to help children learn how to deal with these triggers, rather than avoid them.

Express Positive But Realistic Expectations

Sometimes, a child's anxiety is caused by an event that could likely occur in the future, such as losing a soccer game. Rather than telling the child that they are destined to win it, which may not occur, it's best to assure them that regardless of whether they win or lose, they will be okay. Providing realistic expectations lets them know that no matter what they face, they can manage it, and you'll be there to support them.

Respect Their Feelings, But Don't Empower Them

Letting a child know that you hear their fears about something shows compassion and understanding, but does not mean you are encouraging or empowering the fears.

When a child expresses fear of going to the dentist, for example, be sure to let them know that you understand where they're coming from, but don't feed into their anxious thoughts. Instead, reinforce that they will be fine and that you are there to help them in any way you can.

Children can pick up on the slightest changes in tone of voice and body language, which can play into their anxiety. With this in mind, it is important to be mindful of what you say and do that could inadvertently reinforce their fears. 

Even if you are worried for them, try to speak and behave confidently, so they remain confident themselves. 

Encourage the Child to Work with their Anxiety

The unfortunate thing about anxiety is that it might never go away completely. This constant can make dealing with it regularly tiring, especially for a child. 

Let your child know how much you admire them for tirelessly working to overcome it, which will encourage them to keep up the good work.

Try to Keep the Anticipatory Period Short

Sometimes, expecting an anxiety attack is worse than the attack itself. If you know your child will be exposed to something that makes them uncomfortable, such as going to the doctor, don't feed into their fears by bringing up the appointment well in advance. 

Working to shorten the anticipatory period as much as possible can help mitigate their negative thoughts and feelings.

Help Your Child Build Confidence with Assistance from Marshall Pediatric Therapy 

If managing your child's anxiety has you feeling overwhelmed, the experienced team at Marshall Pediatric Therapy is here to help. We're proud to provide families, teachers, and caregivers with the tools they need to combat childhood mental health concerns, including anxiety. 

 today to learn more about how you can assist your child in overcoming their fears, boosting their confidence, and overcoming their anxiety.

How to Help Kids With Anxiety

Whether you are just hearing the words of your child’s diagnosis, or you’ve been traveling on a special needs journey for many years, it’s always nice to know there are people with you. There will be footprints left behind by those who have traveled the path before you, and others that will follow your footprints as they navigate the unknown. Every person on this path, each step that is taken, and each individual footprint is important. Why? Because this path isn’t a straight and easy one. You’ll doubt yourself, and you’ll doubt others.

 It will be just plain hard...but it’s worth it.

While your friends register their child for basketball camp, you will prepare for your child’s IEP meeting at school.

You will lose sleep worrying if your child is being bullied at school.

Your family may not understand why your child doesn’t like large birthday parties.

Your child’s peers may be preparing for college, while you are preparing for 24/7 caregiving. Your spouse may feel like a stranger passing in the night at times.

You may not recognize the person staring back at you in the mirror.

I get it. It will be so hard, but so worth it.

You will find your tribe, and build your child’s army. These are the people that will knock down walls with you, pull you from the darkness and show you the light, celebrate with you, rally with you, and you will cling to one another. Maybe it’s because they have traveled that path before and know the journey well. Maybe it’s because they have devoted their lives to helping better others’ lives.

Our journeys may be different, but our reason is the same.

The love for our children is unlike any other love we will ever have.

It’s a love that fights to move mountains, and it’s a love that is always worth it.

From Our Experts

What is Occupational Therapy for Kids?

The Importance of Developing a Daily Routine

Screen Time for Kids: Finding Balance

How to Help Kids With Anxiety

A Journey with Autism. IT'S WORTH IT.