An Occupational Therapist specializes in helping children to improve their fine motor skills (hand writing and hand dexterity skills), adaptive development (eating, dressing, and self care activities), and sensory processing abilities (the ability to take in and manage auditory, tactile, and visual stimuli effectively within their environment).
Children who demonstrate developmental delays in their gross motor development may benefit from physical therapy services. A Physical Therapist specializes in helping children to improve their basic foundational motor skills (sitting, rolling, standing, and walking) so that the higher level gross motor skills needed for their continued physical development and ability to participate in general play activities can develop.
Eligibility is determined by formal testing procedures conducted by a registered occupational therapist and/or licensed physical therapist. Through a detailed evaluation of a child’s level of performance in these critical developmental areas, a plan of care can be created and implemented as necessary.
Occupational and Physical Therapy services are typically provided during the child’s school day. The mode of delivery of these services varies from: individual one-on-one sessions to establish foundational skills; group sessions to work on the social aspect of these physical skills; “push in” sessions to support a child’s current physical skills among their peers within the academic environment; and direct and indirect consultation services to discuss a child’s performance with his/her classroom staff and offer suggestions to further assist a child in their fine motor, gross motor, adaptive development, or sensory processing abilities. Parent training sessions are scheduled on a monthly basis to allow parents the opportunity to observe their child’s occupational and/or physical therapy sessions. These training sessions provide parents/caretakers with the skills to ensure carryover with their children in the home environment.
Recent Stories...
1.22.2026 Alternating Feet
In today’s PT session, P is building an important functional skill: learning to alternate his feet when using steps and stairs—a milestone that supports safety, independence, and confidence in everyday environments.
With steady support from PT Denise, P practices moving away from a same-foot pattern and toward a true alternating step pattern. Denise provides hands-on guidance and verbal cues, carefully positioning P’s feet to help his body learn the rhythm and motor planning required for this skill. This kind of repetition, paired with gentle correction, is essential for helping new movement patterns “stick.”
P works on this goal in multiple ways. He practices first on a step stool, where the height and structure allow him to focus closely on foot placement and balance. From there, he transitions to a larger staircase, applying the same skills in a more complex setting that more closely mirrors real-life situations. This progression helps strengthen his legs, improve coordination, and build confidence as the challenge increases.
Motivation is key—and P’s favorite reinforcement is the swing. After working hard on the steps, he earns time on the swing, which does more than reward his effort. Swinging also strengthens his core, improves balance, and supports body awareness, making it a purposeful and powerful part of his therapy session.
Through Denise’s expertise and P’s determination, this session blends structured skill-building with meaningful reinforcement. Each guided step brings this young learner closer to moving through his world with greater independence and ease.
1.9.26 Pincer Grasp and Visual Tracking
In today’s session, T is hard at work building important pincer grasp and visual tracking skills—and he’s doing it through play 🎄💰.
First up: decorating the tree! Using a festive board, T carefully places colorful Q-tips into small holes on a Christmas tree. This fun, hands-on activity strengthens the small muscles in his fingers while encouraging precision, hand-eye coordination, and focus. Each successful placement is a step forward in developing the fine motor control needed for everyday tasks like writing, buttoning, and feeding.
Next, the challenge grows with a treasure chest game. OT Lauren holds large coins at varying distances—from just a couple of inches away to farther out—encouraging T to visually scan, track the coin, reach out, grasp it, and drop it into the chest. This activity combines visual attention, motor planning, and coordinated movement, all wrapped into an engaging and motivating task.
With Lauren’s thoughtful scaffolding and T’s determination, these playful moments translate into meaningful progress. It’s a great example of how purposeful play in occupational therapy helps build foundational skills for independence and confidence.
10.22.25 Occupational Therapy in Action at Crossroads
In our Motor Room this morning, three of our amazing Occupational Therapists were hard at work helping students build the foundational skills they need for daily success. Each student was focused on a goal tailored just for them — and having fun while doing it!
Fine Motor & Midline Crossing:
Ellyn guided her student in drawing colorful chalk lines on a vertical chalkboard, strengthening grasp and shoulder stability — then he reached across midline to place shiny coins into a treasure chest, building bilateral coordination and motor planning.
Hand Strength & Precision:
Morgan helped her student use oversized tweezers to pick up pom poms and decorate a laminated jack-o-lantern! This playful activity is perfect for developing the hand muscles and dexterity needed for writing, buttoning, and other everyday skills.
Focus, Coordination & Core Strength:
Lauren supported her student intern as he played Connect 4 with their student— on their bellies! This position increases core engagement while improving hand-eye coordination, turn-taking, and problem-solving.
At Crossroads, our OTs meet each child where they are, weaving skill-building into motivating, hands-on activities that spark joy and promote independence. Every moment is designed with purpose — and every bit of progress matters.
10.24.25 Use an incline to teach heels down.
A new mat was donated by one of our families, and for PT, this is a great addition to our gym.
Denise works on reducing “toe-walking” and increasing “heels down” with more than a few of her students. Obstacles to toe-walking always get her excited. “This is PERFECT!” she said when she saw the new mat. It was on our wish list and a family member brought it in; we put it in the gym and it’s awesome. It folds int a cube, or opens up into an incline. Wallking up requires one to place their heel down first, something Denise works hard to teach.
9.29.25 Individual Care and Attention:
In Occupational Therapy, Lauren helps a student strengthen fine motor skills, while in Physical Therapy, Denise focuses on gross motor development. What makes their work so impactful is not only the skill-building itself, but the way they fully invest in each child—using language, social interaction, and the student’s own interests to keep learning fun and engaging. This individualized, hands-on approach is exactly what our students need to make meaningful progress.
8-1-25 MOTOR GROUPS
Summer is a special time for many reasons, one being the awesome MOTOR GROUPS that our OT/PT team comes up with for the kids. All classes have a time during the week to get visited by the motor team to participate in a series of fun and challenging activities arranged around a theme. This assists students with and without IEPs to practice their motor skills and maintain the results of their hard work all year, during the summer months. Here we have a peek at Room 7 in one of their groups.
7.28.25 Step by Step!
Denise, our Physical Therapist is working with P on stair-climbing skills—and he’s making great progress! With encouragement and practice, her students learn how to navigate steps safely and confidently. The photos say it all: he can do it, and we’re so proud of his determination!
7.18.25 Fine Motor Finesse!
Today, we caught up with our Occupational Therapy (OT) department while two students were busy working on their individual skill goals. With guidance from our dedicated therapists, the students were fully engaged, building strength, coordination, and confidence through hands-on activities tailored just for them.
