Articles

Explore our collection of insightful articles at Chicago Occupational Therapy, where we share valuable information on various topics related to child development and therapy. Our goal is to empower parents and caregivers with knowledge and resources to support their children's growth and well-being.

Exercises for Core Strength for Kids: A Comprehensive Guide for Parents and Therapists

Core strength is a critical component of a child’s overall physical development. It affects everything from posture and balance to fine and gross motor skills. A strong core helps children...
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What is Sensory Processing Disorder and How Does it Impact Participation in Daily Activities?

Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) occurs when a person’s sensory systems (visual, auditory, tactile, olfactory, gustatory, vestibular, and proprioceptive) are unable to effectively receive sensory information from the environment and process...
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What is Sensory Processing?

Our sensory systems are made up of seven senses: Visual, auditory, tactile, olfactory, gustatory, vestibular, and proprioception. Sensory processing is the way our bodies use these senses to interpret and...
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Mastering Gross Motor Skills in Early Childhood

Motor skills involve the coordination between muscles and the nervous system to create movement. Motor skills are essential in completing everyday tasks and routines. Strengthening gross motor skills is important...
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Strategies for Tackling Grooming Tasks in Children with Sensory Processing Challenges

It can be challenging for children with difficulties in sensory processing to tolerate routine grooming tasks, such as hair cutting, bathing, nail trimming, and tooth brushing. This may be caused...
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Signs Your Student Might Benefit from Occupational Therapy

As a teacher, you have an important role in recognizing your students’ strengths along with their areas of need. You want your students to be successful and to continue to...
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Recommended Fine Motor Activities To Do At Home

When an occupational therapist addresses fine motor skills they are assisting with the ability to coordinate the fingers and hands to complete tasks such as writing, cutting, completing clothing fasteners,...
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Cerebral Palsy and Occupational Therapy: Empowering Children to Thrive

Cerebral palsy (CP) is a neurological condition that impacts motor skills, muscle tone, and movement. While CP is a lifelong condition, early intervention and therapies such as occupational therapy can...
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What is a Sensory Diet in Pediatric Occupational Therapy?

If you have a little one with sensory issues, you know that exposing them to different environments can be challenging and uncomfortable. If a child experiences sensory issues they may...
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What are Z-Vibes in Pediatric Occupational Therapy?

Does your child experience difficulty with feeding or oral sensory processing? If your child currently receives feeding therapy, occupational therapy, or speech therapy, a Z-Vibe might be a tool that...
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OT Strategies to Help Children Who Can’t Sit Still

Does your child seem more active than their same-aged peers or pursue movement? Does your child have a hard time sitting in their chair at school or during meal time?...
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Low Muscle Tone in Children and How Occupational Therapy Can Help

What is low muscle tone? Low muscle tone, also known as hypotonia, is a symptom that affects a child’s muscles, joints, and movements. Symptoms are usually detected either at birth...
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"I can’t express enough positive things about the wonderful team at CST. The therapist who has worked with my son over the past four years has been a key player in his development and therapeutic journey. They have taught him valuable skills ranging from self-regulation to fine motor tasks and self-care. Additionally, the therapists are prompt, professional, and extremely communicative—always providing feedback and collaborating on solutions for any challenges I present. If I send an email on a Tuesday night, I can expect a response by Wednesday morning. Now that my son is in kindergarten, I attribute much of his independence and success in Chicago Occupational Therapy. Our family will always be grateful for the care and dedication shown throughout this process!"
"The occupational therapists and staff at Chicago Occupational Therapy are remarkable. Our child has experienced significant growth in writing and many other areas since beginning therapy. Teachers have noticed improvements over the summer, and we truly appreciate the dedication and support provided throughout this journey. The therapists are patient, kind, responsive, and supportive, making a meaningful difference in our child's life. Thank you, Chicago Occupational Therapy, for having such exceptional professionals on your team."
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Occupational Therapy Services We Offer

Gross Motor Skills | Chicago Occupational Therapy Services

Gross Motor Skills

Our gross motor skills programs focus on developing strength, coordination, and balance through engaging activities that promote physical activity and confidence.
Fine Motor Skills | Chicago Occupational Therapy Services

Fine Motor Skills

We enhance fine motor skills through targeted exercises that improve hand strength, dexterity, and coordination for tasks like writing and self-care.
Visual Motor Skills | Chicago Occupational Therapy Services

Visual Motor Skills

Our visual motor skills training helps children integrate visual input with movement, supporting their ability to perform tasks that require hand-eye coordination.
Sensory Processing | Chicago Occupational Therapy Services

Sensory Processing

We provide sensory processing support to help children interpret and respond to sensory information, enabling them to navigate their environments effectively.
Self-Care & Daily Living Skills | Chicago Occupational Therapy Services

Self-Care & Daily Living Skills

Our self-care and daily living skills programs teach children essential routines, fostering independence in activities such as dressing, grooming, and feeding.
Visual Perceptual Skills | Chicago Occupational Therapy Services

Visual Perceptual Skills

We develop visual perceptual skills to enhance children’s ability to understand and interpret visual information, crucial for academic success and daily activities.
School Readiness | Chicago Occupational Therapy Services

School Readiness

Our school readiness programs prepare children for a successful transition to school by focusing on the foundational skills needed for academic and social success.
Handwriting Skills | Chicago Occupational Therapy Services

Handwriting Skills

We help children improve their handwriting skills through personalized strategies that focus on grasp, posture, and letter formation for clear and efficient writing.
Play Skills | Chicago Occupational Therapy Services

Play Skills

Our play skills development sessions encourage children to engage in cooperative and imaginative play, fostering social interactions and emotional regulation.
Executive Function Skills | Chicago Occupational Therapy Services

Executive Function Skills

We enhance executive function skills through targeted strategies that improve planning, organization, and problem-solving abilities, essential for daily life.
Social Skills | Chicago Occupational Therapy Services

Social Skills

Our social skills development programs focus on helping children build positive relationships and effective communication skills through structured practice and guidance.