Sensory Processing Therapy
Our Orlando Pediatric Occupational Therapists are highly specialized in identifying and treating Sensory Processing Disorders (SPD). Sensory Integration (SI) occurs when a child is able to take in information from their senses, organize it and make sense of it quickly and efficiently, in order to have an appropriate response. This is a simple, automatic process that happens all day long when children are playing and learning. Children have problems that show up as behaviors, learning challenges, social difficulties, inattention, a lack of coordination, or delays in development when this process isn’t smooth and efficient. Children with Sensory Processing difficulties are often very intelligent and capable, they just struggle to get through the day. Sensory Therapy can help mature your child’s nervous systems, so he or she no longer has to work on over-drive to keep up or get through the day. As a child progresses through their therapy plan, they become calmer, more focused, happier and more adaptable. Parents, teachers and caregivers feel relief as their time spent with these children becomes less stressful and more enjoyable. When children complete their therapy plan, they can expect lasting gains without further treatment or home activities to maintain gains.
Here is a list of symptoms to consider when deciding if you think your child may have a need for Pediatric Sensory Processing Therapy. All children are made to be different and unique. These symptoms are only a guide. If any of these difficulties make it really hard for you or your child to get through the day, then please call us. We are happy to help you talk through your concerns, and our process of initial testing.
Sensory Symptom Checklist for Infants/Toddlers
Sensory Symptom Checklist for School-Aged Children
Our Sensory Pyramid
This is the hierarchy we use for explaining and treating sensory, motor, and behavioral symptoms. We cannot expect children to pay attention, learn, and have good behaviors if they haven’t mastered and matured the skills on the lower levels of this pyramid.
Evaluation
Sensory Processing Therapy begins with an evaluation from a licensed pediatric occupational therapy professional. The evaluation takes approximately an hour to complete and usually occurs in-person at our clinic. The occupational therapist will work through assessment activities with your child, usually in a private treatment room. Therapists bring a sense of playfulness and warmth to the testing environment to motivate each child and make them feel at ease and successful. Once the evaluation is complete, the therapist will take 1-2 weeks to write a detailed report that includes all test findings, scores and recommendations. If the evaluator recommends therapy, the report will outline the frequency of appointments, the recommended length of each session, and the specific goals for ongoing therapy sessions.
Sessions
Children’s Sensory Processing Therapy sessions are always one-on-one. Parents are usually recommended to join each session to learn, but are welcome to leave the clinic during that time or take a quiet break for themselves. The sessions themselves are play-based and fun. They can occur in one space or multiple spaces, based on the child’s needs and preferences. The therapist monitors the child’s progress in each session. The treatment plan is modified as goals are mastered, until all goals are met. Therapists speak with parents at the end of each session to inform them on how their child performed.
Achieving Outcomes
Our Sensory Processing Therapists use data to measure the rate of progress being made on each child’s sensory therapy goals. Our Therapy Director oversees all treatment plans and observes sessions as needed to make sure all children are making consistent progress. Therapists refer back to the evaluation to discharge or incorporate new goals whenever goals are achieved. Re-evaluations are completed as needed to measure the child’s progress since beginning services, and to determine what is left to achieve, prior to discharge. Parents feel good when they can see the before and after scores, side by side in our reports.
Frequently Asked Questions
Session frequency and length are determined by the evaluating therapist, which will be included in your child’s individualized treatment plan. Most therapy treatment plans recommend 1-2 sessions per week, with 45 or 60-minute sessions each time being the most common.
Occupational Therapy (OT) is one of the most common treatments for children or teens with ADHD. It helps them self-regulate, develop structure and routines, identify emotional states, and more. OTs use a child’s strengths to help overcome challenges, mature their nervous system, and improve his/her participation and success at home, in the community, and at school.
We generally treat children 0-18 years old. Our Orlando therapists are trained to work with children of all ages. Our most common age range is children that are 3-10 years old. Our treatment spaces are designed with activities that meet each child’s maturity and age level.
Yes! Our therapists always teach parents and the child how to carry over fun activities at home. This compliments the in-clinic treatment and leads to faster therapy progress and lasting change. Our therapy sessions involve an art and science approach to helping children develop and mature as fast as possible. We are the guides for parents and teachers to know what to do each step of the way.
Yes! We schedule set weekly sessions with the same therapist each time, so that great rapport is established quickly.