Resources for Parents

You are your child's best advocate. If you feel that your child could benefit from occupational therapy, talk to your child's primary care doctor. A referral is needed from a primary doctor to evaluations and treatments of occupational therapy. Note: some doctor's are unfamiliar with the types of services OT can provide in various settings. For more information about what OT can provide for your child in your home, contact us, we love talking all things pediatric OT related.

Pediatric occupational therapists work with children who have various conditions across childhood and even into young adulthood. A pediatric occupational therapist will typically work most with children who have various diagnosis such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, sensory processing disorders, ADHD, learning disabilities, and more. Many children, such as preemies, may just need a little extra support as they are developing into their next stage of life, we can help.

We understand that inviting someone into your home can be a personal experience. At Rising Sun OT, we see every parent and child as part of our community. Our mission is to "empower kids (and families) for a brighter tomorrow." We aim to meet your child and family where you are, seeing you in your natural environment and helping you achieve your goals for your child. We love experiencing the "real" side of family life, as it enhances our ability to support you effectively. During our sessions, we use both our supplies and your child's toys to engage with them, allowing the child to lead the play for the most enjoyable and successful experience possible.

First, after an initial phone consultation, you will be sent information via a secure "client portal". This will help us collect the necessary onboarding information so that we can best suit your needs. This questionnaire based "paperwork" will consist of gathering basic information about your family, your child's medical history, and developmental milestones, as well as assess for sensory processing needs. During the first visit, our therapists will get to know you and your child while implementing developmental toys for your child to play with, as well as asking further questions to collect more data. During this time we are observing your child's gross motor and fine motor skills, vestibular and cognitive responses, and so much more... all while we play. This session will typically last between an hour to an hour and a half depending on needs and information to gather. Once we have gathered the information we will then create a plan of care, based on your child's and family's needs, we will work together creating goals for your child. This will lead the therapist to then create sessions tailored to your child's needs.

This question is asking us to look into the future and we do not have a crystal ball, as much as we would love to have that superpower. ❤️ Sessions typically last 30-60 minutes and is typically 1 day a week (or more depending on the family's needs and desires). Of course there are always exceptions and all session timeframes are agreed upon by the parent and therapist. With ongoing screening and assessments throughout the progress of care, we are measuring progress in therapy utilizing research based information gathering techniques. With this information, your child's occupational therapist will then make recommendations for changes in services, by your child's individual needs.

Parents play a crucial role in their child's therapy journey. Occupational therapists often involve parents by providing education on strategies to support their child's development at home and encouraging participation in goal setting discussions. Truly working as a community, to serve the needs of the kiddos.

At Rising Sun Occupational Therapy, we accept insurance from most major health insurance companies and many insurance plans will cover pediatric occupational therapy services; however, coverage can vary widely depending on the provider and specific policy details. We advise that parents check with their insurance company regarding coverage for OT services.

We are committed to making therapy fun and functional. Often including play based activities, we design each session with the goals of the child in mind. From handwriting and fine motor development skills such as utilizing scissors, to utilizing gross motor activities from jumping or balancing to work on gross motor skills, as well as sensory integration, and self care tasks, our 1:1 services provide your child with opportunities to utilize play to target their unique needs.

We love it when family members get the opportunity to participate in the fun activities we are doing; however, please be mindful that our objective is to assist your child in reaching their goals, specifically tailored to the child we are treating. If sibling interactions begin to disrupt the session there are multiple disadvantages, from removing focus from the activities presented, to increasing the time it takes to reach those goals, siblings can be a distraction. We ask that you use your best judgement and be mindful of the hard work your child and their therapist are putting into reaching those goals. Also being mindful that insurance companies will often cover a set amount of therapeutic sessions, and if we can not meet the requirements of that coverage, your child may not get the full benefit of the therapeutic sessions.

We will sometimes give opportunities for "homework" for you and your child to work on together through the week to reinforce the skills learned during therapy sessions. This will be delivered in multiple forms, such as verbal, demonstrations, or handouts. We also provide additional free and paid resource options on our website (free or cash pay only) for extra information not covered in sessions, and as resources available to all, without the need to schedule sessions with us.