Infant & Pediatric Occupational Therapy

Infant and pediatric occupational therapy (OT) supports children from infancy through adolescence in developing essential skills for daily life, such as self-care, play, social interaction, and school tasks.

  • Infant OT focuses on helping babies reach developmental milestones, addressing motor and sensory issues, feeding challenges, and supporting family involvement for healthy growth.

  • Pediatric OT aids children with physical, cognitive, or sensory challenges by improving motor skills, sensory processing, focus, social interaction, and independence, especially for those with conditions like autism, ADHD, or cerebral palsy.

Overall, OT promotes independence and helps children thrive in everyday environments.

Moon and Stars Therapy Specialized OT Services

  • The baby-led sleep approach is a more holistic method that respects the infant’s natural rhythms, encouraging them to establish a sleep routine based on their own signals and needs. Rather than forcing rigid sleep schedules, this approach involves creating a comforting environment and allowing babies to naturally regulate their sleep patterns. This method encourages gradual self-soothing, reducing the stress of sleep training for both baby and caregiver. Pediatric OTs may incorporate baby-led sleep strategies to promote healthy sleep habits, often working alongside parents to create a peaceful, supportive environment.

  • Craniosacral Therapy (CST) is a gentle, hands-on technique used to assess and treat restrictions or imbalances in the craniosacral system (the membranes and fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord). For infants and children, CST can help alleviate discomfort from birth trauma, tension, or other early-life challenges. It is often used to address issues like colic, feeding difficulties, or sleep disturbances. CST helps to improve overall body function by facilitating the natural rhythms of the body, promoting relaxation and ease in both physical and emotional development.

  • Myofascial release is a hands-on therapy that focuses on releasing tightness or tension in the fascia, the connective tissue surrounding muscles and organs. For infants and children, this technique can be particularly beneficial in addressing muscle tightness, restrictions, or postural problems. It’s used to ease discomfort from conditions like torticollis (tight neck muscles), muscle spasms, or tension related to a difficult birth process. By gently applying sustained pressure, therapists can help release tension, promote better movement, and improve posture, which supports the child’s overall development and comfort.

General OT Services

  • Supports growth through key physical and cognitive milestones such as rolling, sitting, crawling, standing, and early play skills.

  • Develops coordination and strength for both small movements (like grasping, drawing, using utensils) and large movements (like running, jumping, or climbing).

  • Assists with sucking, chewing, swallowing, and transitioning to solid foods—crucial for infants and young children with feeding difficulties.

  • Helps children manage their responses to sensory input (touch, sound, light, movement) whether they are overly sensitive or under-responsive.

  • Encourages independence in tasks such as dressing, grooming, toileting, and eating.

  • Enhances skills like attention span, memory, problem-solving, and executive functioning for success in school and daily routines

  • Builds communication, emotional regulation, peer interaction, and play skills to support healthy relationships.

  • Educates and empowers families to create supportive home environments that foster development and participation