Pediatric Occupational Therapy

Pediatric occupational therapy is a holistic, play-based approach that helps children build the skills they need for everyday life.

What is Occupational Therapy?

Pediatric occupational therapy is a holistic, play-based approach that helps children build the skills they need for everyday life. A child’s “occupations” include playing, learning, growing, and interacting with the world around them. Occupational therapists work alongside children and families to support development, increase independence, and help kids feel confident in their daily routines.


Pediatric occupational therapists work with children from infancy through adolescence, addressing a wide range of developmental needs. Whether a child is working on fine motor skills, sensory processing, self-care tasks, or emotional regulation, therapy is designed to meet them where they are—making progress through fun, engaging, and meaningful activities.


Our pediatric occupational therapy services may include:

  • Fine motor skill development (writing, grasping, hand strength)
  • Sensory processing and regulation
  • Feeding and self-care skills (dressing, grooming, toileting)
  • Visual-motor integration and coordination
  • Emotional regulation and attention skills
  • Developmental delays
  • Support for school-related tasks and routines
  • And much more! 
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Pediatric OT is helping children gain the skills they need to participate fully in their world at home, at school, and in play.


Conditions Commonly Treated

Our pediatric occupational and hand therapy team helps children with a variety of developmental, orthopedic, and neurological conditions. This includes fine motor delays, cerebral palsy, brachial plexus injuries, sensory processing disorders, handwriting difficulties, congenital hand differences, and recovery after fractures or surgeries. We focus on building the skills kids need for daily activities—like dressing, writing, and play—through fun, age-appropriate therapy.

Who Can Benefit From Occupational Therapy?

Pediatric occupational therapy can benefit children of all ages who may be struggling to keep up with everyday tasks at home, in school, or during play. Every child develops at their own pace, but when challenges begin to impact confidence, independence, or participation, occupational therapy can help.


Your child may benefit from pediatric OT if they:

  • Have difficulty with fine motor skills like holding a pencil, using scissors, or buttoning clothes
  • Struggle with sensory processing (over- or under-reacting to sounds, textures, movement, or touch)
  • Have trouble with daily routines such as dressing, feeding, or grooming
  • Experience delays in reaching developmental milestones
  • Have challenges with coordination, balance, or body awareness
  • Struggle with attention, emotional regulation, or transitions
  • Have difficulty with handwriting, school tasks, or staying organized
  • Are recovering from an injury or medical condition affecting the upper body
  • Have a diagnosis such as autism, ADHD, or other developmental conditions


If something feels “off” or your child is having a hard time with everyday activities, early support can make a big difference. Pediatric occupational therapy meets your child where they are—helping them build skills, gain confidence, and succeed in the things that matter most.

What to Expect During Therapy

Pediatric occupational therapy starts with a playful, child-friendly evaluation to understand your child’s strengths, challenges, and daily routines. From there, your therapist will create a personalized treatment plan that uses engaging, age-appropriate activities to build fine motor skills, coordination, strength, and independence. Sessions are designed to feel more like play than work—helping your child grow through fun, hands-on learning in a supportive environment.

Find a Clinic Near You

Why Choose Rock Valley Physical Therapy?

You deserve someone you can trust. We understand – life is busy. We make getting started easier than you might think. We accept nearly every insurance, and you can come in without a physician referral. Whether it’s lifting a grandchild, exercising, or just walking without pain, we are dedicated to getting you back to the life you want to live.

Experienced Therapists
Our team comprises licensed professionals with specialized training.

Convenient Locations

With over 60 clinics, we offer accessible care close to home.

No Referral Needed
Direct access to physical therapy services without a physician's referral.

Continuity of Care
Patients work with the same therapist throughout their treatment journey.

Real Stories. Real Results.

"The staff and clinicians are all very good. They answered all my questions, time spent with me was excellent and everyone showed great compassion."

"Everything is top notch! The expertise of the PTs and their caring attitude is exemplary. All the support staff are great!"

"I was very pleased with all of my care - pre op & post op. You did a wonderful job preparing me for surgery and getting me healed after."

"Excellent doesn't give the staff enough credit to how hard they work for their patient. All of the staff works very hard to give you extra help as each person needs."

Tips, Insights & Recovery Advice

Four people posing on a baseball field, with grass, dirt infield, and stadium signs behind them.

Rock Valley Physical Therapy selected as sports medicine provider for 2026 IAHSAA Class 3A, 4A state baseball finals

By Kylie Williams • July 15, 2026
Rock Valley Physical has again been selected to provide sports medicine coverage for the 2026 IAHSAA Class 3A and Class 4A boys state baseball finals. The tournaments, set for Monday-Friday, July 20-24, will be held at the 5,300-seat Veterans Memorial Stadium, at Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the home of the Class A Midwest League’s Cedar Rapids Kernels, the High A affiliate of the Minnesota Twins. Rock Valley’s Jason Viel, Director of Athletic Training Services, MS, LAT, ATC (Pleasant Valley High School); Blake Anderson, LAT, ATC (Rockridge (Il.) High School); Tyler Beauchamp, LAT, ATC, PTA, FMT (Davenport Central High School); and Jess Rummery MS, LAT, ATC (Bettendorf High School) will be on site to cover quarterfinal, semi-final and final-round action of the tournament. “This is such a great opportunity for Rock Valley to be the premier sports medicine providers for the 3A/4A 2026 IAHSAA State Baseball Tournament,’’ said Rock Valley Physical Therapy’s Misti Thompson, LAT, ATC (Xavier High School, Cedar Rapids). “We were able to cover this event in 2024 and are excited for the opportunity to return and offer our services. With Rock Valley expanding across Iowa and even to neighboring states this allows us to amplify our mission of Making Better Lives while still being to impact traveling teams since we likely have clinics in most of the areas that teams are traveling from allowing continuity of care if needed through our direct access.’’ By: Johnny Marx, Rock Valley Storyteller
Four people stand in a gym holding an oversized check for Kord Valley.

Isaac Daniels is Rock Valley Physical Therapy’s first Stephen Kaschke Memorial Scholarship recipient

By Kylie Williams • July 10, 2026
Not only did his day entail catching up with friends, but Daniels learned he was the recipient of the first Stephen Kaschke Memorial Scholarship, a $2,500 award to a Rock Valley Physical Therapy employee pursuing a degree in physical therapy.

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