Occupational Therapy

Sensory Processing and Occupational Therapy: A Parent’s Guide

By Foundations Therapy Service / 05/13/2026

Sensory processing is the way the brain receives, interprets, and responds to information from the senses including touch, sound, sight, taste, smell, movement (vestibular), and body position (proprioception). For most children, sensory processing happens automatically. For others, sensory input can be overwhelming, confusing, or difficult to interpret, affecting daily life and participation. What Is Sensory…

Self-Regulation: How Occupational Therapy Supports Children’s Emotional and Behavioral Control

By Foundations Therapy Service / 05/13/2026

Self-regulation is the ability to manage emotions, behavior, and attention in response to the demands of a situation. It is a foundational skill for learning, social interaction, and daily routines. For many children, especially those with sensory processing differences or neurodevelopmental conditions, self-regulation can be challenging. What Is Self-Regulation? Self-regulation involves: Children who struggle with…

Motor Planning: The Brain’s “Blueprint” for Movement

By Foundations Therapy Service / 05/13/2026

Motor planning, clinically referred to as praxis, is the ability of the brain to conceive, organize, and carry out a sequence of unfamiliar actions. While many movements eventually become “automatic” (like walking or riding a bike), every new physical skill requires a high level of motor planning. For many children, the “blueprint” for these movements…

Interoception: The Hidden Sense and Its Role in Child Development

By Foundations Therapy Service / 05/13/2026

Interoception is often called the “hidden sense.” It refers to the ability to notice, interpret, and respond to internal body signals such as hunger, thirst, pain, temperature, and emotions. Just as we use our senses to understand the outside world, interoception helps us understand what is happening inside our bodies. Why Is Interoception Important? Interoception…

Building the Foundation for Handwriting Legibility: A Guide for Parents

By Foundations Therapy Service / 05/13/2026

Handwriting is one of the most complex tasks a child learns. It requires the simultaneous coordination of visual, motor, and cognitive systems. When a child struggles with legibility, it is rarely just a “hand” issue; it is often a matter of how the brain and body work together to produce written language. The Building Blocks…

Understanding Executive Function: A Guide for Parents

By Foundations Therapy Service / 05/13/2026

Executive function is often described as the “air traffic control system” of the brain. Just as an airport needs a system to manage arrivals and departures on multiple runways, a child’s brain needs executive function skills to manage information, focus on tasks, and filter distractions. For many children, particularly those seen in occupational therapy, these…