Therapy

Occupational Therapy for Children

If your child struggles with day-to-day activities, like tying shoelaces, holding a pencil, sitting still, or simply managing their feelings, occupational therapy can be helpful. Occupational therapy for children can help build foundational skills that can make your child’s participation in school, at home, and in the community easier.

Supporting Children’s Independence and Skill Growth

Occupational Therapy helps children become self-sufficient, connect with peers, and gain more independence. We treat children ages 0-18 years old, with our most common age group from 3 to 8 years old.

 

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Benefits of Occupational Therapy for Children

Occupational therapy helps children build the skills they need for everyday life. Occupational therapy offers support that provides relief in real life, not just in the pediatric occupational therapy clinic. Children who work with OT experts experience meaningful improvements in handling daily chores, school activities, interactions with friends and family, and more!
If your child experiences sensory processing difficulties and often has meltdowns, feels overwhelmed, or is frustrated, occupational therapy can help by better understanding and responding to their bodies and emotions.

Through OT, children can:

  • Improve fine motor skills and handwriting, making school tasks easier
  • Develop better emotional regulation and reduce sensory overwhelm
  • Build coordination and strength for everyday activities
  • Gain confidence and independence in daily routines

Our reliable providers also offer practical strategies to parents and families to support their day-to-day lives, gain confidence and build resilience.

Our Occupational Therapists’ Specializations

  • Sensory processing: Helping kids respond to sensory input more comfortably

  • Hand Writing: Building letter formation, pencil grip, and written expression skills

  • Emotional Regulation: Teaching children to recognize and manage their emotional responses

  • Feeding: Supporting safe, comfortable eating and food acceptance for picky eaters

  • Self-care: Developing independence in dressing, grooming, and daily routines

  • Fine Motor Skills: Strengthening hand coordination for cutting, drawing, and handling objects

  • Social Skills: Practicing turn-taking, sharing, and connecting with peers through play

  • Attention deficit: Improving focus, self-regulation, and on-task behavior throughout the day

  • Difficulty with Transitions or Change: Reducing anxiety around unexpected shifts in routine or activities

Please be sure to mention any areas of specialization you would like during scheduling to ensure the best fit for your child. Our expectation is life-changing results for you and your child.

Our Pediatric Occupational Therapy Process

Every child’s occupational therapy journey at Westside begins with understanding their unique strengths, challenges, and goals. Our approach is collaborative and designed to keep you involved every step of the way. From the very first session, we take the time to listen, learn what matters most to your family, and create a plan that fits your child’s needs. As therapy progresses, we provide consistent guidance and support—helping you feel confident, informed, and supported from beginning to end.

Evaluation

Evaluations begin with a one-hour session, led by a licensed therapist, in a sensory gym or private room. A summary report with therapy recommendations will be provided within 2 weeks.

Session

Occupational Therapy sessions are one-on-one in our sensory gym and last about an hour. Therapists guide your child through goal-based activities and track progress throughout. At the end of each session, parents receive feedback on their child’s progress.

Achieving Outcomes

Clinical Directors oversee all treatment plans with your child’s therapist, tracking progress. Regular re-evaluations track your child’s progress.

Why Choose Westside for Child Occupational Therapy Services

Families choose Westside for occupational therapy because they’re looking for real, lasting progress. We focus on creating a supportive, welcoming environment where children feel comfortable and parents feel confident in the care their child is receiving. Our approach is thoughtful, consistent, and centered on what works best for each child and family.

  • Experienced Therapists Our therapists are not only qualified but also experienced in working with children. They use their skills to build an environment that quickly fosters trust and warmth. Our therapists ensure that your child looks forward to sessions and works towards achieving lasting results.
  • Comprehensive Services OT at Westside doesn’t exist in isolation. We frequently collaborate with therapists, ABA specialists, counselors, and other experts. You get all the help you need under one roof. If your child needs help across multiple areas, our team provides direct support, ensuring nothing is missed in child care.
  • Personalized Plans No two kids are the same; therefore, no treatment plans should look the same either. Before setting a program, we start with a thorough evaluation of each child. Then, the goals are built around the results. We focus on specific needs, not a standardized checklist. We review plans regularly and share progress updates with families.
  • Proven Results Families share how they notice changes faster than they had expected. They experience calmer mornings, fewer meltdowns, and more independence with tasks that used to be daily struggles. We use a data-driven approach, which means we track progress regularly and adjust our course accordingly.
  • Family-Focused Care With Westside, parents aren’t left wondering or waiting in the lobby; they will be active participants in the process. Parents receive feedback after every session and leave with practical strategies to use at home. Our real goal isn’t just progress inside the clinic, but also at home, school, and in the community.

Start Your Child’s Occupational Therapy Journey

Starting your OT journey at Westside is simple. You do not need a referral to reach out. Simply fill out our inquiry form or give us a call, and our team will assist you with the further process. Our staff will talk with you about your concerns and develop a plan of action that helps your child. They will evaluate your case, share what to expect, and explain how the ongoing sessions will look.
If you are not sure if going with occupational therapy services for children is the right step in your child’s case, that is fine too. Our experts will answer your questions and help you figure out what makes sense for your child. It all starts with a genuine conversation and a commitment to truly help.

Find an Illinois Occupational Therapy Location Near You

Locations

FAQs

  • What is children’s occupational therapy?

    Occupational therapy for children focuses on building the practical skills kids need to participate in everyday life. This includes things like getting dressed, writing, playing with peers, and managing their emotions. It helps the children learn, play, and grow in a supportive environment.

  • Who can benefit from children’s occupational therapy?

    Children’s occupational therapy is a good fit for those children who struggle with sensory sensitivities, fine motor delays, handwriting, self-care routines, emotional regulation, attention, social participation, and more. It is commonly recommended for kids with autism, ADHD, developmental delays, and sensory processing disorder. However, children without a specific diagnosis can benefit, too.

  • Why is Westside considered the best occupational therapy provider?

    Getting dressed. Eating with a fork. Writing their name. Sitting through circle time. These might seem like small things, but for a child who’s struggling with them, they can feel enormous — and so can the worry a parent feels watching it happen.

    Each occupational therapist for children on our team specializes in the skills that make everyday life more manageable and more joyful — sensory processing, fine and gross motor development, and school readiness. Many hold advanced certifications in sensory integration, and they bring that expertise into sessions that are hands-on, creative, and genuinely fun for kids. But beyond the clinical skill, they work with you, not just your child — helping you understand what’s going on and giving you real, practical strategies to use at home. And because our OT team works side by side with our ABA and speech therapists, your child gets support that’s connected and consistent, not scattered.

  • What does Occupational Therapy cost?
    Cost varies by insurance plan, number of therapy hours and other factors. Call us at 815-469-1500 for an insurance benefits check.
  • Which insurances do you accept?

    We work with a wide variety of insurance companies and HMO networks. We are always expanding our insurance network – click here to view the list of our currently accepted insurance companies.

  • How long will my child be in therapy?

    The frequency of behavioral therapy depends on: (1) Your availability and preferences, (2) Our clinical analysis and recommendation, and (3) Approval from your insurance.

  • How often will my child need therapy?

    Most Occupational Therapy treatment plans are 1-3 hours per week in-clinic, with 1 hour per week being the most common.

    Each child occupational therapist on our team teaches the parents and the child how to carry over the exercises at home. This complements the in-clinic treatment and leads to lasting change.

  • Is Occupational Therapy helpful for children with ADHD?

    Occupational Therapy (OT) is one of the most common treatments for children or teens with ADHD. It helps children and teens self-regulate, develop structure and routines, identify emotional states, and more.

Getting Started

If you are interested, submit an inquiry below. Our Patient Coordinator will call to help you determine a plan forward. If you are still unsure, you can call us anytime at (815) 469-1500 for more information.