Occupational Therapy

At Mary Free Bed Kids, our Pediatric Occupational Therapy Team is dedicated to helping kids build the skills they need to participate in everyday life. Childhood is a time of rapid growth; the ability to play, explore, communicate and care for oneself lays the groundwork for future independence. Our pediatric occupational therapists (OTs) understand how each of these areas connect. They use therapeutic techniques rooted in child development, neuroscience and family-centered care to support meaningful progress.

Children come to us with many different abilities and challenges. Some are recovering from illness or injury, while others have complex medical conditions that impact their daily routines. Many children simply need additional support as they learn fine motor skills, sensory regulation, feeding, self-care or tolerance for new environments. No matter the reason for referral, our team will meet your child where they are. Our approach to care is rooted in compassion and creativity. By creating therapy environments that feel safe, engaging and playful, we empower children as they try new things as they learn and grow.

Pediatric occupational therapy focuses on helping children participate in the daily activities that are essential to their development and well-being. Infants and toddlers learn how to explore their environment and interact with caregivers. As they learn how to interact with the world around them, infants and toddlers also learn how to respond to sensory input like textures and temperatures. For school-aged children, occupational therapy includes problem-solving, completing routines and socializing with peers. For adolescents, occupational therapy expands to include increasing independence, planning, and preparing for life skills. Our occupational therapists support children across a wide range of developmental areas, including:

• Fine motor development necessary for grasping toys, holding utensils, manipulating buttons and writing
• Visual-motor and visual-perceptual integration, which support reading readiness, hand-eye coordination and academic tasks
• Cognitive skills such as attention, sequencing and memory
• Emotional regulation and frustration tolerance
• Activities of daily living (ADLs) such as getting dressed, brushing teeth, bathing, feeding and toileting
• Problem-solving for children with physical, sensory or cognitive limitations

Therapy is always tailored to the child’s current abilities, strengths and goals. Sessions may include sensory-rich activities. Children may strengthen their fine motor skills through arts and crafts. They may play games or climb obstacle courses to gain strength. Sometimes occupational therapy includes feeding interventions to increase tolerance of different textures and tastes.

Sensory processing is a critical part of child development. It refers to how the brain interprets and organizes information from the senses—including touch, sound, taste, movement, sight and smell.

When sensory processing is working well, children can tolerate clothing textures and enjoy playing with their peers. During school they can follow classroom routines and respond calmly to changes in their environment. When kids have difficulty processing sensory input, everyday experiences can feel unpredictable, overwhelming or confusing.

Some children may react strongly to certain sensory inputs. They may find loud sounds, certain textures, bright lights, unexpected movement or specific food textures to be distressing.

Others may seek out more intense input, craving deep pressure, jumping, spinning or crashing into cushions. Many children experience a combination of both. Occupational therapists at Mary Free Bed Kids are highly trained in identifying sensory patterns and using structured, playful activities to help children build regulation and comfort. When kids learn to tolerate different sensations, they can participate in school and socialize with their peers. Daily routines and mealtimes become less stressful. Our therapists also provide families with practical home strategies, including:

• Sensory diets
• Calming routines
• Environmental adjustments
• Movement activities

When combined with occupational therapy, these routines can help build confidence.

Parents and caregivers often notice patterns long before a child receives a sensory evaluation. Signs your child may have trouble processing sensory input include:

• Strong reactions to sounds, lights, smells, or textures
• Avoiding or becoming distressed during messy play
• Difficulty transitioning between activities
• Frequent meltdowns or trouble calming down
• Seeking intense movement or pressure-based activities
• Difficulty knowing how much pressure or force to apply during fine or gross motor activities like writing
• Clothing sensitivities, such as refusing socks, jeans or coats
• Food aversions or extreme picky eating
• Difficulty falling or staying asleep
• Visual motor delays such as trouble catching or throwing

While these signs don’t automatically mean a child has a sensory processing disorder, persistent patterns that impact daily functioning may indicate the need for an occupational therapy evaluation.

How OT Supports Sensory Integration

Our occupational therapists use a combination of structured play, movement-based activities and customized sensory experiences to help children understand, organize and respond to sensory input more effectively. Treatment may include:

• Swings
• Obstacle courses
• Tactile play
• Deep pressure input
• Calming strategies
• Visual-motor activities
• Sensory-based tools

We create individualized plans built around your child’s preferences, strengths and challenges, while ensuring therapy remains fun and motivating. At Mary Free Bed Kids, families are an important part of the therapy team. Our therapists teach parents how to recognize signs of dysregulation, introduce sensory supports at home and create routines that help children feel secure and successful throughout the day.

Feeding and eating are complex tasks that require coordination of sensory, motor, behavioral, and emotional skills. When a child has difficulty chewing, swallowing or tolerating new textures, mealtimes can become stressful for both the child and their caregivers.

Mary Free Bed Kids offers specialized feeding support through our multidisciplinary Pediatric Feeding Program, where occupational therapists play a key role in evaluating oral motor abilities, sensory responses, feeding routines and safe swallowing practices.

Feeding concerns may arise due to medical conditions and developmental differences. Feeding concerns can also coincide with sensory sensitivities or difficulties with posture, strength or coordination. Early identification and intervention can prevent long-term nutritional, developmental and emotional challenges related to eating.

Some signs a child may benefit from feeding-focused occupational therapy include:

• Difficulty chewing or managing certain textures
• Prolonged mealtimes or refusal to eat
• Coughing, gagging or vomiting during meals
• Poor coordination of breathing and swallowing
• Strong food aversions or refusal to try new foods
• Difficulty sitting upright or maintaining safe posture during meals
• Limited weight gain or growth concerns
• Pocketing food in the mouth

Feeding challenges are highly individualized so our team collaborates closely with families to understand their child’s history, routines and unique needs.

The Pediatric Feeding Program includes occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, dietitians, nurses, and physicians. Together, they provide:

• Oral motor evaluations
• Strategies to improve chewing, swallowing and safe intake
• Sensory-based feeding interventions
• Positioning and postural support
• Exposure to new foods through gradual, child-centered approaches
• Caregiver training to support positive mealtime routines

Your child’s occupational therapy experience begins with a comprehensive evaluation. The evaluation considers:

• Sensory processing
• Motor skills
• Fine motor development
• Feeding
• Emotional regulation
• Daily routines at school and at home

Therapists will work with you and your family to set meaningful goals for your child, so therapy reflects their daily life. Therapy sessions are designed to feel playful and engaging. Kids are encouraged to move and explore. Sessions may address fine motor challenges, self-care practices and real-world problem solving. Our therapists continually adapt treatment strategies based on your child’s progress and developmental needs. Collaboration is central to our approach. Your child’s care team may include:

• Occupational therapists
• Speech-language pathologists
• Physical therapists
• Psychologists
• Care managers
• Physicians and specialists

By working together, we help your child build confidence, independence and lifelong skills.

The Pediatric Occupational Therapy Team supports children with:

• Sensory processing disorders
• Autism spectrum disorder
• Developmental delays
• Cerebral palsy
• Orthopedic and neurological conditions
• Feeding disorders
• Traumatic brain or spinal cord injuries
• Emotional regulation challenges
• Visual-motor and fine motor delays
• Behavioral or attention-related needs

We welcome children at every stage of development, from infancy through adolescence.

Mary Free Bed Kids provides pediatric occupational therapy services across several locations throughout West Michigan, including Grand Rapids, Holland, Kalamazoo and Muskegon. Families can access services through a referral from their pediatrician. Our care managers can help explain next steps and answer any questions you may have about insurance or scheduling.

Contact Us

We’re here to help your child thrive. Whether you have concerns about sensory processing, feeding, motor development, emotional regulation or daily routines, our team is ready to support your family.