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Occupational Therapy

Occupational Therapy
for Children and Adolescents

At Developmental & Educational Psychological Services (DEPS), our Occupational Therapy (OT) services are designed to help children and adolescents overcome physical, mental, and cognitive challenges, enabling them to gain independence and build confidence. Our licensed occupational therapists work closely with children to enhance their ability to perform everyday tasks, improve functional skills, and foster growth in various developmental areas.

Areas of Focus in Occupational Therapy

  • Fine Motor Skills: Strengthening the small intrinsic muscles of the hand to improve tasks such as finger-thumb opposition, complex rotation, and translation, enhancing a child’s ability to perform everyday activities.
  • Cognitive Skills: Teaching strategies to support learning, including improving visual perception, spatial relations, and executive functioning skills to aid in academic success.
  • Social and Emotional Skills: Using play-based methods to encourage peer interaction, conversation skills, and social participation, fostering healthy relationships with others.
  • Activities of Daily Living: Offering adaptive techniques for everyday tasks like dressing, eating, and becoming more organized at school to promote independence.
  • Education Skills: Helping children develop essential pre-writing, copying, and scissor skills to support academic readiness.
  • Sensory Challenges: Gradually exposing children to various sensory experiences (e.g., movement, textures, sounds) to help them manage sensory sensitivities and challenges that may appear as behavioral issues (e.g., food sensitivities, sensory seeking/avoiding).
  • Self-Regulation Skills: Identifying optimal sensory input that helps children remain alert and attentive, improving behaviors like staying seated during class or developing impulse control and body awareness.

At DEPS, we take a systemic / inclusive approach to occupational therapy, working alongside families to ensure each child’s therapy plan is tailored to their unique needs and goals.

Contact DEPS today to learn how our Occupational Therapy services can help your child thrive.

Occupational Therapy Assessments at DEPS

At Developmental & Educational Psychological Services (DEPS), our Occupational Therapy (OT) Assessments are designed to evaluate and support children facing challenges in fine motor skills, sensory processing, attention, and social-emotional regulation. Our comprehensive approach helps children build essential skills for daily life, academics, and social interactions

Assessment & Treatment Overview

  • Assessment Duration: Approximately 1 hour, including parent questionnaires and standardized tests administered to the child.
  • Treatment Duration: Therapy typically lasts 6 months, but can range from 3 to 12 months based on individual needs.
  • Session Length: 1 hour.

Expected Outcomes

Through targeted occupational therapy interventions, children may experience improvements in:

  • Fine Motor Skills – Enhancing dexterity for tasks like writing, buttoning clothing, and using utensils.
  • Hand-Eye Coordination – Supporting activities such as reading, copying from the board, and participating in sports.
  • Social Skills – Developing better self-regulation, impulse control, and initiating conversations with peers.
  • Attention & Focus – Addressing sensory challenges that impact concentration and task completion.

Does My Child Need Occupational Therapy?

If your child experiences difficulties in any of the following areas, an occupational therapy assessment may be beneficial:

  • Struggles with concentration and focus in school.
  • Becomes easily distracted or has difficulty following instructions.
  • Challenges in completing tasks due to sensory sensitivities or motor skill difficulties.
At DEPS, our licensed occupational therapists use evidence-based techniques to create personalized treatment plans that help children develop the skills they need to succeed