Frequently Asked Questions

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Pediatric occupational therapy (OT) helps children build the skills they need to succeed in everyday life. “Occupation” for a child means play, learning, self-care (like eating, dressing, and hygiene), and being able to participate at home, school, and in the community.

An occupational therapist works with children to support their development in areas such as:

• Fine motor skills (using hands for writing, feeding, dressing, etc.)
   
• Gross motor skills (balance, coordination, and strength for activities like climbing or riding a bike)
   
• Sensory processing (how a child responds to sights, sounds, movement, and touch)
   
• Social and emotional skills (self-regulation, attention, and confidence in daily routines)

Pediatric physical therapy (PT) helps children develop the strength, balance, coordination, and movement skills they need to explore their environment and participate more independently in everyday life. Physical therapists support children as they work toward important milestones and improve their ability to move safely and confidently at home, at school, and in the community.

A physical therapist works with children to support their development in areas such as:

• Gross motor skills (sitting, crawling, walking, running, jumping, and climbing)
• Strength and endurance (building the physical capacity needed for play and daily activities)
• Balance and coordination (improving stability, body control, and confidence during movement)
• Mobility and walking (developing safer, more efficient movement with or without supportive equipment)
• Posture and body alignment (supporting positioning and movement patterns throughout daily routines)
• Developmental milestones (helping infants and children gain age-appropriate movement skills)

Every child develops at their own pace, but if everyday tasks seem unusually difficult, it may be time to consider an occupational therapy evaluation. You might notice that your child has trouble with fine motor skills like holding a crayon, using utensils, or buttoning clothes, or with gross motor skills such as balance, coordination, or keeping up with peers. Some children become easily overwhelmed by sounds, textures, clothing, or transitions, while others seem constantly on the move and unable to settle. Challenges with self-care—like feeding, dressing, or toileting—as well as difficulties with attention, emotional regulation, or school readiness (such as handwriting or classroom routines) can also be signs. If your child avoids certain activities, becomes frustrated easily, or isn’t as independent as you’d expect for their age, occupational therapy can help identify what’s going on and provide strategies to support growth and confidence.

Every child develops at their own pace, but if your baby only rolls to one side, consistently turns their head in one direction, or seems to favor one side of their body, it may be time to consider a physical therapy evaluation. You might also notice delays or difficulty with sitting, crawling, standing, walking, running, jumping, climbing stairs, or keeping up with peers. Frequent falls, poor balance, toe walking, unusual walking patterns, weakness, limited endurance, or difficulty coordinating movements can also indicate that additional support may be helpful. Some children avoid active play, become tired or frustrated during physical activities, experience pain with movement, or need help using braces or mobility equipment. Pediatric physical therapy can identify the factors affecting your child’s movement and provide individualized strategies to build strength, confidence, safety, and independence.

Newborns - 21 years of age

At Hand in Hand Therapy, we support children with a wide range of developmental, sensory, and functional needs. Common concerns include difficulties with fine motor skills (such as handwriting, using utensils, or managing clothing fasteners) and gross motor skills (like balance, coordination, or strength). We also work with children who experience challenges with sensory processing, whether they are easily overwhelmed by sounds, textures, and movement or constantly seeking extra input. Many families come to us for support with self-care skills—feeding, dressing, toileting, and grooming—as well as attention, emotional regulation, and social participation. Our goal is always to make daily life easier and more enjoyable for children while giving families tools and strategies to support growth at home, school, and in the community.

Occupational therapy (OT) and physical therapy (PT) often work side by side, but they focus on different areas of a child’s development. OT helps children build the skills they need for everyday activities—things like playing, getting dressed, feeding themselves, writing, managing emotions, and participating in routines at home or school. It looks at fine motor skills, sensory processing, self-care, and social participation. PT, on the other hand, focuses on improving a child’s movement, strength, balance, and coordination. Physical therapists work on larger body movements such as walking, climbing stairs, running, and building muscle strength.

While PT addresses how the body moves, OT focuses on how those movements (and other skills) are used to function in daily life. Together, both therapies can support a child’s overall independence, confidence, and ability to thrive.

At Hand in Hand Therapy, we believe that therapy should feel less like “work” and more like play. Our sessions are child-centered, engaging, and tailored to each child’s strengths and needs, creating a positive experience that encourages growth and confidence. We take a whole-child approach, looking not just at motor or sensory skills, but also at emotional regulation, family routines, and community participation. Parents are an essential part of the process, so we partner closely with families—providing education, support, and practical strategies that fit naturally into daily life.