What is pediatric occupational therapy?

 

Pediatric occupational therapy focuses on the skills necessary for a child to participate joyfully and authentically in their daily "occupations" - including play, social participation, being a student, and daily living skills such as eating and dressing.  Occupational therapy can help a child have more autonomy in these activities by supporting skill development and teaching caregivers about accommodations and environmental modifications to promote a child's participation throughout the day.  Because children learn through play, occupational therapy sessions focus on play that encourages fine motor, visual motor, self-help, feeding, and sensory processing skills.  Regulation and relationship are an essential component of occupational therapy as a way of supporting health, well-being, and participation.  

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What does it mean to be neurodiversity-affirming?

 

As a neurodiversity-affirming practice, I believe all brains are beautiful!  I honor each child’s unique strengths, special interests, specific sensory needs, and play styles.  My therapy style is play-based, child-led, and strives for connection over compliance.  Most importantly, I do not view autistic individuals (or other neurodivergent individuals) as "needing to be fixed".  The strategies that I share with caregivers reflect these philosophies.

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Do you accept insurance?

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No. At this time, Little Thrivers accepts private pay only and does not bill insurance directly for sessions.  This allows me to provide individualized care for your child without the constraints of insurance, such as set visit limits.  All session fees are processed through a secure payment system that accepts FSA, HSA, debit, or credit cards.  A "superbill" (itemized receipt of services to submit to insurance) is available upon request and may help you secure reimbursement from your insurance provider for out-of-network costs, depending on your plan.  Provision of a superbill does not guarantee reimbursement from your insurance provider.  Prior to starting services, it is the caregiver’s responsibility to contact their insurance plan to secure any necessary pre-authorizations.  Reach out to request a “cheat sheet” to help navigate your conversation with insurance regarding superbills.

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Will I receive a Good Faith Estimate?

 

As of January 1, 2022, if you’re uninsured or if you opt for self-pay (i.e., not going through your health insurance), health care providers must provide you with an estimate of the expected charges before you get an item or service. This is called a good faith estimate (GFE).

 

Providers and facilities (like mine) must provide you with a GFE if you request one, or after you’ve scheduled a service. It should include the expected charges for all items or services that are provided as part of the same scheduled experience. The provider must provide a list of all items and services associated with your care.

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For more information, please visit the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) website at www.cms.gov/nosurprises. 

 

Where do sessions take place?

 

Little Thrivers is a mobile practice, which means that in-person therapy sessions generally occur in your home or under some circumstances, in other community settings or day cares within Massachusetts.  Additional travel fees apply outside of a 20-mile radius of Ashburnham, Massachusetts.  Working in a child's natural environment and having caregivers involved in therapy sessions supports carryover of skills being learned and strategies being modeled.  

 

Can you work with my child if they receive occupational therapy services at school? 

 

Yes, many families choose to receive private occupational therapy in addition to their school-based occupational therapy.  A child's "occupation" at home can involve different activities and roles than a child's "occupation" at school.  Additionally, feeding support is often not provided in the school setting or as part of school-based occupational therapy.  I am happy to collaborate with your child’s other therapist(s).

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My child doesn't qualify for occupational therapy services in early intervention or school.  Should I pursue services privately?

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Early Intervention and public schools each have their own specific eligibility criteria to meet in order to qualify for services.  When children do not qualify for occupational therapy services at school, it means that they did not meet their specific eligibility criteria for the public school system.  School-based occupational therapy services are available for the purpose of helping the student access the educational curriculum, and students must demonstrate an educational need for services.  For private occupational therapy, an evaluation can be initiated when there is a concern about any aspect of your child’s fine motor, visual motor, behavior, sensory processing, feeding, or self-help skill development.

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