Occupational Therapy · Therapy Playhouse

What this looks like at TP.

A few of the most common reasons families reach out for pediatric OT. If any of these sound like your child, OT might be a fit.

Play looks different.

Your child doesn't explore toys the way you'd expect — prefers the same object over and over, uses toys in unusual ways, or seems to avoid play altogether.

Sensory feels overwhelming.

Loud sounds, bright lights, certain clothes, new environments, or being touched sends your child into shutdown or meltdown.

Fine motor is lagging.

Your child isn't reaching, grasping, or using their hands the way you'd expect — or is holding onto patterns like fisted hands or weak grip.

Daily routines feel like work.

Dressing, bathing, brushing teeth, sitting through meals — the ordinary parts of the day feel like constant negotiation.

Who we help.

TP's OT team works with children from birth through the teen years, with the heaviest concentration in babies and young children — especially those in Florida Early Steps.

Age range

Birth → teens

Heaviest focus 0–5. If your child is under 3, OT may be delivered through the Early Steps program.

Common referrals

Developmental & medically complex

Developmental delay, feeding concerns, sensory processing, genetic conditions, prematurity, cerebral palsy, autism — and families who just need a trained eye.

Where sessions happen

Home, school, community

Your living room, daycare, classroom, or wherever the activity you're working on actually happens. That's where OT belongs.

How we approach it.

The clinical philosophy that runs through every TP OT session.

Natural environment

Skills transfer better when they're learned where they get used. We meet your family in the setting where the challenge actually lives.

Family-centered

You know your child best. We build the plan with you, not at you — and we train you on the strategies that work between sessions.

Play is the medium

Children learn through play. Our sessions look like play because that's what works — not because we're avoiding the real work.

How do I know if my child actually needs OT?

You don't have to be sure before reaching out. A lot of families start with "something feels off" — not a diagnosis. We'll talk through what you're noticing and help you figure out whether an OT evaluation makes sense, or whether another discipline (or just time) is the right answer.

What does an OT evaluation look like?

The evaluation happens in your home, not a clinic. The OT spends time with you and your child — observing, playing, asking questions, and running some structured activities. It usually takes one or two sessions. You'll leave with a clear picture of where your child is, what the goals are, and what sessions would look like.

How long does OT last?

It depends on the goals. Some children need a few months of focused work to clear a specific hurdle. Others — especially children with complex needs — benefit from ongoing OT that evolves with them. We re-evaluate regularly and recommend changes to the plan as your child grows.

Is OT covered by insurance?

Most major Florida payers cover pediatric OT. For children under 3 enrolled in Early Steps, we bill your approved insurance first; if your plan isn't approved for billing, Early Steps covers services directly. Private pay and superbill options are also available. We can walk through specifics based on your coverage before we start.

Do I need a referral from a pediatrician?

For some insurance plans, yes. For Early Steps, your child is referred into the program and services follow. If you're not sure, call us — we'll help you figure out what paperwork is actually needed for your specific situation.

What's different about TP's OT compared to a clinic?

The setting, mostly. Clinic OT puts your child in a room full of structured therapy equipment they'll never see again. Home OT uses your couch, your floor, your kitchen, your bathtub, your family's actual routine. The skills transfer because they're being built in the place they need to work.

The therapy of everyday life.