If you've ever taken away your child's tablet only to be met with tears, yelling, or a full-blown meltdown, you're definitely not alone. One of the most common concerns I hear from parents is, "Why is it so hard to transition away from playing with their tablet?" 

While screens have become a normal part of everyday life, research continues to show that excessive screen time can affect a child's behavior, emotional regulation, attention, sleep, and overall development. The goal isn't to make parents feel guilty or say that screens are "bad." Technology has many benefits when used intentionally. Instead, it's about understanding how screens affect a developing brain and finding a healthy balance. 

Sensory bins are one of the most effective—and fun—tools you can use at home to support your child’s development. As an occupational therapist, I often recommend sensory bins because they provide meaningful opportunities for children to explore, learn, and regulate their bodies through play. Whether your child is a toddler or early elementary age, sensory bins can be easily adapted to meet their individual needs while supporting skills that carry over into everyday routines. 

 Is It a "Phase" or a "Fight"? Decoding Your Child’s Mealtime Battles 

Is your child just being a typical toddler, or is their body actually telling them that food is "dangerous"? 

Understanding the difference between picky eating and a feeding aversion (what we call "problem feeding") is the first step. It shifts the narrative from "Why won't they just listen?" to "How can I help their body feel safe?" 

The Moro reflex—often called the “startle reflex”—is a primitive reflex present at birth. It’s an automatic, involuntary response to sudden changes in sensory input, such as loud noises, bright lights, or unexpected movement. When triggered, a baby will:

• Quickly extend their arms and legs outward

• Open their hands

• Then bring their arms back toward the body (often appearing like a “hug” motion)

• Frequently cry afterward

As occupational therapists, we frequently work with children who have neurological conditions that impact their ability to move, participate, and engage in daily activities. Diagnoses such as cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, and pediatric stroke can affect strength, coordination, motor planning, and body awareness. These challenges often extend beyond motor skills and influence a child’s confidence, emotional regulation, and participation at home and school. Occupational therapy plays a vital role in supporting these children by addressing functional movement within meaningful, real-life activities.

Tantrums are communication. When we shift our focus from “stopping the behavior” to “supporting the transition,” everything changes. Visual schedules and sensory tools don’t just reduce meltdowns—they build independence, confidence, and trust. 

Remember: smooth transitions are a skill, not a personality trait. And like any skill, they can be taught, practiced, and supported—one calm transition at a time. 

The vestibular system is one of the most powerful—and most overlooked—sensory systems. Located in the inner ear, it is the body’s built-in way of understanding movement, balance, spatial orientation, and gravity. 

Accurate processing of vestibular input allows us to feel grounded, organized, safe, and regulated. Without it, one may feel as if they are lost in space. 

Vestibular processing plays a key role in all areas of life, including motor, social, emotional, cognitive, and sensory development. 

 As a pediatric Occupational Therapist (OT), one of the most rewarding parts of my job is helping children gain independence in their Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)—the everyday tasks we call self-care skills. These aren't just chores; they're the building blocks for confidence, self-esteem, and a successful future! 

As a pediatric Occupational Therapist (OT), I often see that difficulties with self-care skills—the Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)—are not just about poor coordination. For many children, the root of the struggle lies in sensory processing. Tasks like teeth brushing, hair combing, or managing sticky foods can be overwhelming, painful, or confusing due to sensitivities to touch, sound, smell, or movement. 

As parents, we all want our children to feel confident, capable, and happy in their everyday routines — whether that’s getting dressed, writing their name, or making friends on the playground. But sometimes, certain skills don’t come as easily as we expect. That’s where occupational therapy (OT) can help. 

Good core strength is one of the most important foundations for your child’s success in school, at home, and during play. As a pediatric occupational therapist, I often see children who struggle with handwriting, self-feeding, attention, and coordination. Many of these challenges trace back to the same place: the core.

In today’s fast-paced world, more families are seeking effective ways to support emotional wellness, reduce stress, and reconnect with a sense of inner balance. One method bridging the gap between clinical understanding and spiritual healing is Emotion Code® and Body Code®, created by holistic physician and chiropractor Dr. Bradley Nelson. 

This system is transforming the way children and adults release stored emotional energy, improve emotional regulation, and support whole-body wellness, and can help achieve goals. 

When a child receives occupational, physical, or speech therapy, the goal is always the same: to help them build the skills they need to thrive in everyday life. Therapists play an essential role in assessment, treatment planning, and skill-building—but the progress a child makes during weekly sessions is only one piece of the puzzle. The biggest gains often happen between appointments, and that’s where parents and caregivers make all the difference.

Below is a look at why parent involvement matters so much, what it really looks like day-to-day, and how you can support your child’s therapy journey for the best possible outcomes.

Boredom fuels creativity and imagination. When the brain isn’t being fed constant stimulation, it naturally starts wandering inward. This “default mode network” (the brain’s daydreaming system) begins making loose, playful, unexpected connections—exactly the kind that fuel creativity. Children often generate their most imaginative play after they’ve moved through that uncomfortable “I’m bored” stage. It strengthens problem-solving skills. Boredom creates a kind of mental “itch” to do something meaningful or engaging. That discomfort nudges the brain to invent new ideas, seek new solutions, or explore new activities. It’s essentially a catalyst that pushes us to figure things out ourselves. 

Primitive reflexes originate in the brainstem and are present before birth. They help newborns adjust to life outside the womb by supporting early movement, sensory development, and neural growth.

The world of occupational therapy (OT) is vast and dynamic, but at its heart lies a singular goal: empowering individuals to live life to the fullest. On a recent episode of the Therapy Unmasked podcast, we sat down with the incredible Rhonda Roth, an occupational therapist and educator whose career perfectly embodies this principle.

Rhonda's story is a compelling journey through diverse clinical settings—from acute care and skilled nursing to schools—before she found her true calling in pediatric Sensory Integration. The conversation wasn't just a look back; it was a powerful masterclass in clinical philosophy and the future of the OT profession.

If your child constantly chews on their shirt collars, sleeves, pencils, or even toys, you’re not alone! Many parents worry about this habit—wondering if it’s behavioral, anxiety-related, or just a phase. In pediatric occupational therapy, we often see children who chew as a way to meet an oral sensory need—their body’s way of seeking calming or organizing input through the mouth.

 Dysgraphia is a neurological condition that affects a child’s ability to write legibly and make it readable. It basically impacts handwriting, spelling, and organizing thoughts on paper, often making writing tasks more challenging than their peers, despite normal intelligence and adequate instruction. Common signs include illegible handwriting, inconsistent letter formation, floating letters, spacing issues, difficulty with grammar and punctuation, and/or slow writing speed. It may also involve trouble with fine motor skills needed for writing, like the grasp on a pencil, small movements of the hand while writing, and eye-hand coordination. 

Picky eating can be a normal part of childhood, but it becomes a problem when it leads to nutritional deficiencies, developmental delays, or emotional distress. If a child consistently avoids essential food groups, there is a risk of not receiving adequate vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients necessary for growth and overall well-being. In more severe cases, picky eating can lead to conditions like malnutrition or failure to thrive. Long-term avoidance of certain foods can result in gastrointestinal issues, fatigue, and weakened immunity. Picky eating can also be linked to psychological conditions such as anxiety, OCD, or eating disorders like ARFID. If picky eating is causing significant distress or impacting overall health, it's essential to seek professional help. Signs that it might be time to seek help include noticeable weight loss, chronic fatigue, growth delays, or frequent gastrointestinal problems. Emotional signs such as anxiety around meals, extreme fussiness, or feeling overwhelmed by the prospect of trying new foods are also important to note. 

At Ability Innovations, our goal is to be interdisciplinary. We believe that by working together, we can provide better care and achieve greater success for the children we work with. According to Nick and Megan, co-treating offers several key benefits:

• Better Outcomes: When two therapists from different specialties work together, a child often makes greater progress in both areas. The therapists can build on each other's work and augment the benefits of each session. For example, an OT might work on a child's core strength on a swing, while the SLP uses that regulated state to encourage communication and language skills.

• Efficiency for Parents: Co-treating can significantly shorten the time a family has to spend at the clinic. Instead of attending two separate appointments, you can get two therapies in one session. This is a huge time-saver for busy families.

• Holistic Care: Therapy isn't just about one specific skill; it's about helping a child function better in the world. By combining two disciplines, therapists can address multiple goals at once. Megan shared a great example of a scavenger hunt she did with an OT. While the child was working on fine motor skills and handwriting with the OT, Megan had them practice and write words that targeted their speech sounds.

In the world of occupational therapy, sensory processing plays a vital role in helping individuals navigate their daily lives. Two common sensory patterns—sensory avoidance and sensory seeking—represent opposite ends of the sensory spectrum. Sensory avoidance refers to individuals who are overwhelmed or distressed by certain sensory input, such as bright lights, loud noises, or specific textures. These individuals often withdraw from stimuli, preferring quiet, calm environments. In contrast, sensory seekers actively crave sensory input and may engage in behaviors like touching everything around them, making loud noises, or constantly moving.