Occupational Therapy Services for Children Birth to 16 Years

OTAP offers a full range of occupational therapy services for children in its 5,000-square-foot state-of-the-art clinic in Princeton, NJ.

Evaluations

In order to form an individualized therapy plan for your child, we will begin with an evaluation of their strengths and challenges. The evaluation process may include the following:

  • Medical and developmental history

  • Parent interview

  • Clinical, school, and daycare observations

  • Formal standardized assessments (when appropriate)

You will receive a full evaluation report from your occupational therapist with findings and recommendations.

Our Approach to Therapy

At OTAP, occupational therapy sessions are tailored to meet the needs of your individual child. While many of our sessions seem high-energy and full of movement, others may appear quiet, safe, and calm. Our goal is to match your child’s energy and meet them where they’re at in the moment.

Parents and caregivers are encouraged to be active participants in the child's therapy sessions. We will also provide you with simple and valuable home practice activities that can be easily incorporated into your child's daily life to maximize their progress outside of therapy.

Our Specialties

Child with sensory processing difficulties working with a pediatric occupational therapist in Princeton, NJ

Sensory Processing

At OTAP, sensory-motor sessions are fun, interactive, and playful! We will meet your child where they’re at and focus on whole-body regulation so that they can comfortably engage with the world around them. Your child will develop the following skills while swinging, moving, and engaging in messy play:

  • Improving body awareness and safety awareness

  • Overcoming sensory aversions

  • Reducing auditory and visual sensitivities

  • Participating fully in daily activities, academic tasks, and social interactions

Child working on self-care skills during occupational therapy for kids in Princeton, NJ

Gross & Fine Motor Development

Our occupational therapists will help your child meet their milestones during daily life activities! Through a combination of therapeutic activities, environmental supports, and parent involvement, your child will develop the following skills to help them thrive:

  • Tolerating tummy time

  • Rolling over, sitting up, and reaching

  • Using silverware, writing utensils, and scissors

  • Catching and throwing a ball

  • Independently completing self-care tasks like hair/tooth brushing, toilet training, and getting dressed

Child working on emotional regulation during occupational therapy for children in Princeton, NJ

Emotional Regulation & Executive Functioning Skills

At OTAP, we support foundational cognitive skills while engaging in games, movement activities, and play. If your child has difficulty with attention, regulation, and independence, we will give them opportunities and tools to manage their emotions— during their preferred activities and less preferred activities. Depending on your child’s unique challenges, our sessions may focus on helping them:

  • Identify and manage feelings through self-regulation

  • Take initiative and show goal-directed behavior

  • Improve problem-solving and decision-making skills

  • Succeed in academics, social interactions, and daily routines

Child working on picky eating during feeding therapy in Princeton, NJ

Pre-Feeding & Feeding Skills

Occupational therapy will focus on addressing the underlying factors contributing to your child’s feeding difficulties. Our sessions start with whole-body regulation and then move into the feeding room to build new skills in a safe and playful way. Feeding therapy will implement evidence-based strategies like the SOS Approach to help your child:

  • Improve oral motor skills for biting, chewing, and sucking

  • Bring objects, toys, and new foods to their mouth

  • Eat and drink with open cups, straw cups, forks, and spoons

  • Overcome picky eating

  • Make mealtimes enjoyable and nutritious

Consultation Services

OTAP offers 30-minute consultation meetings to parents who would like to have an in-depth conversation about their child’s treatment plan, discuss developmental concerns, or problem-solve sensitive topics. Please note that insurance coverage is usually limited to direct therapy with your child, and consultation meetings are billed as an out-of-pocket expense.

To learn more or to schedule a consultation meeting with your child’s therapist, please call our office to speak with a patient care coordinator.

Occupational Therapy Associates of Princeton graphic

We Are Accepting New Clients!

OTAP provides exceptional feeding and occupational therapy services to children in Princeton, NJ. Reach out to get started today!