Why Occupational Therapy?
Does your child struggle with everyday tasks like getting dressed, staying focused or handling different textures or sounds?
If so, you’re not alone—many families turn to pediatric occupational therapy (OT) to help their children thrive. At Fluens Children’s Therapy, we offer personalized, play-based pediatric OT that helps children strengthen their motor, sensory and self-care skills—so they can thrive at home, in school and in the community.
We work closely with families to uncover your child’s strengths and challenges, then create a therapy plan designed just for them. The team in our Tennessee clinic provides evidence-based care in a supportive, engaging environment where children can grow with confidence.
What Is Pediatric Occupational Therapy?
Pediatric occupational therapy focuses on helping children build the skills they need for daily activities like brushing their teeth, writing, playing with peers or paying attention in class. These skills are rooted in areas such as movement and coordination, how children respond to sights, sounds, and touch, how they manage their emotions, and how they focus, follow directions, and complete tasks.
Occupational therapy helps children who may be experiencing delays or challenges related to:
- Autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
- Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- Developmental coordination disorder
- Sensory processing difficulties
- Cerebral palsy
- Feeding challenges
- Behavioral and emotional regulation
Fluens’ licensed, registered occupational therapists use play-based interventions to improve your child’s ability to participate in daily routines with greater ease and independence.
Signs Your Child Might Need Occupational Therapy
Some children need support developing essential life skills that come naturally to others. If your child shows any of the following signs, a pediatric occupational therapy plan with us may be beneficial:
- Trouble holding a pencil or using utensils
- Avoids messy play or certain textures
- Gets overwhelmed by lights, sounds or crowds
- Difficulty getting dressed, tying shoes or using buttons
- Challenges with sitting still or staying on task
- Struggles with transitions or emotional outbursts
- Tires easily or appears awkward during physical activities
- Avoids fine motor tasks like puzzles, coloring or crafts
If you’ve noticed these challenges at home or have received a recommendation from your pediatrician, we’re here to help you explore next steps.
Our Approach to Pediatric Occupational Therapy
At Fluens, we believe that therapy should feel fun and functional. That’s why our OT sessions incorporate games, crafts, sensory exploration and movement activities that are tailored to your child’s developmental needs and interests.
We begin with a thorough evaluation to identify your child’s strengths and goals. Treatment can begin at any age, and we’ve found that addressing concerns early leads to the best outcomes. From there, we create an individualized treatment plan focused on:
- Fine motor development (e.g., grasping, handwriting, buttoning)
- Gross motor skills (e.g., balance, coordination, body awareness)
- Sensory integration (e.g., calming strategies, tactile exploration)
- Emotional and behavioral regulation
- Daily living skills like dressing, grooming and feeding
- High- level thinking skills (e.g., attention, organization, impulse control)
Therapy sessions are one-on-one and structured to encourage progress in a low-pressure, supportive environment.
We also equip families with tools and ideas to use at home between sessions.
What Can a Child Learn in Occupational Therapy?
Pediatric OT is designed to help children gain confidence and independence in everyday activities. With support from our licensed therapists, your child can develop skills that improve their ability to play, learn and participate in daily routines. Depending on your child’s unique needs, they may learn how to:
Hold and use a pencil, scissors or eating utensils more effectively
- Get dressed, tie shoes or manage buttons and zippers independently
- Improve hand strength, coordination and control for writing and crafts
- Stay calm and focused in busy environments like classrooms or playgrounds
- Explore new textures, foods or environments with less anxiety
- Follow multi-step directions and complete tasks from start to finish
- Transition more smoothly between activities without frustration
- Build confidence through success in meaningful, age-appropriate tasks
Our goal is to help your child grow in ways that matter most to them—and to you. Every session is tailored to meet your child where they are and support where they’re going.
Why Choose Fluens Children’s Therapy?
- Child-friendly environment: A welcoming space that encourages curiosity and comfort
- Evidence-based practices: Our therapists use research-backed methods rooted in developmental science
- Family-centered care: We listen to you, involve you and value your voice in every session
- Flexible and supportive: We offer options that fit your schedule and your child’s needs
We believe progress happens faster when everyone works together. Our occupational therapists collaborate with families and our in-house speech therapists—to support your child’s goals across all settings. We’re proud to support Tennessee families with therapy that’s as personalized as it is purposeful.
Get Started!
Together, we can help your child build the confidence and skills they need to participate more fully in everyday life. At Fluens Children’s Therapy, we don’t just help children reach milestones—we help them find their flow.