Can I bring my other children to the first visit or evaluation?

We would prefer that your child attends their first appointment/evaluation at the clinic without their siblings present. We will need your undivided attention as we gather developmental history and try to get a clear picture of your child and your concerns for therapy.

My child is school-aged, is it possible for me to get an after school appointment?

Yes however please keep in mind though that many of our children are school-aged, and their parents frequently request an appointment after school hours.

We will always do our best to accommodate your schedule.Do I need a prescription for therapy?

Yes. Our office requires that we receive a prescription for each discipline from your pediatrician or primary care physician prior to an evaluation and treatment.

How Long Will My Child Receive Therapy Services?

This question will be more easily answered once your child’s evaluation is complete. If therapy services are recommended, a frequency and tentative time line will be established, along with a plan of care, and goals to be achieved on both a short-term and long-term basis. Children continue at their recommended frequency for as long as it is needed. As long as your child is making progress towards their goals, therapy will continue.

I have been suspecting for a long time that my 11-year-old daughter has ADD and I am pretty desperate to help her. What would you suggest?

Start with a general pediatrician visit - check out vision, hearing, diet and general health. Next, request an Occupational Therapy evaluation to assess for potential areas of need. We find that up to 60% of children are misdiagnosed with ADHD/ADD, and that most of the kids who have attention deficits benefit in some way from Occupational Therapy. We can usually find out through a thorough evaluation of a child’s sensory systems if Sensory Integration is at the root of their difficulties. We work with several doctors in the greater Austin area known for their ability to help children like your daughter and can refer you to a specialist.

How do I get a professional diagnosis of Asperger’s Syndrome or Autism?

A medical diagnosis needs to come from someone with skills and training in developmental disabilities. This can include developmental pediatricians, neurologists, and psychologists. Occupational Therapists (OTs) can aid in treatment before or after a diagnosis is determined. However, from an occupational therapy point of view, a diagnosis isn't necessary–we focus on helping a child function with their current conditions regardless of diagnosis. A diagnosis is helpful (and may be necessary) for obtaining school special education services or for your medical insurance to provide or pay for treatment.

Based on comments from people who have spent time with my child, I am pretty certain our 3-year-old son has some degree of sensory integration disorder. Do we need a referral before making an appointment?

We recommend that you call us at the clinic (512) 251-3230 with your concerns. We can facilitate any referrals or prescriptions needed from your son’s pediatrician. We want you to know that you’re not alone. Sensory Processing Disorders are more common than people realize, and doctors aren’t always good at identifying it. Our years of experience with children indicate that early identification greatly increases the success rate of treatment. Three-year-old children are excellent candidates for therapy and usually do quite well. There are many ways to help you understand his behavior, and strategies we can teach you both to help him to control his self, and become more successful in his environment.

If my child is has ADD (or ADHD), will Sensory Integration therapy help?

Yes. Studies show that 40% to 60% of individuals diagnosed with ADD or ADHD also have sensory processing disorder (SPD). This leads some to speculate that perhaps some children are being misdiagnosed. We conduct a comprehensive assessment to determine if SPD is present and treat it appropriately. We can also teach your child self-regulation skills that may help them learn to control their behavior better.

We would prefer that your child attends their first appointment/evaluation at the clinic without their siblings present. We will need your undivided attention as we gather developmental history and try to get a clear picture of your child and your concerns for therapy.