Occupational Therapy & Sensory Integration

When used for sensory integration, Occupational therapy helps to develop the neurological system of the child. As this system develops, the child is able to be present in the world around them, keep calm, and have decreased anxiety.

An occupational therapist can assess behavior of children and understand the why’s of the behavior and help the children meet those needs through the use of jumping, heavy muscle work, yoga, and other methods. At Arbor School our staff of therapists and teachers provide for the sensory needs of our students through the use of one on one therapy, hide-outs/quiet space, sensory breaks, and flexible seating.

Children who receive individual occupational therapy services participate at least 2 times per week for 30 minute sessions. Therapy goals are established to facilitate growth within academic, sensory processing, and social domains. Treatments takes place both in one on one sessions with the therapy rooms, and in small groups within the school setting. In order to further enhance sensory processing and modulation, each day starts with a morning workout created by our therapists and staff.

Therapists guide children through whole body sensory experiences by following the child’s lead. The therapy room is set up to promote initiation and problem solving skills. Our students frequently utilize these skills along with heave muscle work when setting up equipment of obstacle courses. Therapist often lead students through simple scenarios which require problem solving skills in order to get from point A to point B.

OT schedules are created with blocks of time available to allow therapist to collaborate with teachers in the classrooms and facilitate carryover of sensory strategizes. Teachers and therapists work together to provide children with sensory input throughout the day. Alternative seating is encouraged in order to address postural strength/stability, body awareness, attention, and sensory attention processing in general.