
Parent Resources
Everything you need to know to support your child's journey
Understanding Pediatric Occupational Therapy
Pediatric occupational therapy helps children build the skills they need for everyday life. A child’s “occupation” is to play, learn, and grow—and OT supports them in doing these activities with greater confidence, independence, and ease.
What does Pediatric OT help with?
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Fine motor skills (handwriting, buttoning, using utensils)
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Gross motor coordination (balance, climbing, running)
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Sensory processing (how the brain interprets and responds to sensory input)
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Emotional regulation and coping skills
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Executive functioning (planning, organization, focus)
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Social interaction and play skills
Why Nature-Based OT?
Research shows that time in nature can reduce stress, improve attention, support mood, and increase physical activity. When combined with occupational therapy, these benefits help children:
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Engage more naturally and with greater enjoyment
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Develop skills in real-world, meaningful contexts
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Experience rich and varied sensory input
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Build confidence through appropriate, supported challenges
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Form meaningful connections with peers and supportive adults
FAQs
Have a question not answered here?
Do you accept insurance?
Playful Peaks OT is not an in-network provider with any insurance companies. Some insurance plans may offer partial reimbursement for out-of-network occupational therapy services, but this varies by plan.
We strongly recommend that you contact your insurance provider directly prior to beginning services to determine whether you are eligible for reimbursement and what documentation is required. In many cases, insurance companies require a physician referral for occupational therapy stating medical necessity, along with a diagnostic (ICD) code, before treatment begins.
Upon request, Playful Peaks OT can provide a paid-in-full receipt (commonly referred to as a “superbill”) after services have been completed and payment has been received. Superbills include relevant CPT billing codes and all standard information typically required for insurance submission.
If you would like to receive a superbill at the end of a program, please complete the Financial Record Request Form along with your Program Application.
We use ethical billing practices that accurately reflect services provided; however, we cannot guarantee any level of insurance reimbursement.
Families are responsible for paying for services out-of-pocket and may then submit the superbill directly to their insurance provider for potential reimbursement according to their individual plan benefits.
Superbills are processed at the end of each program season to ensure all treatment dates are accurate. Requests are typically available 2 weeks after the cessation of your child's camp session.
How is nature-based therapy different from traditional OT?
At Playful Peaks, therapy doesn’t happen in a clinic—it happens in the places where kids naturally thrive: the outdoors.
Instead of a table and walls, we use parks, trails, open space, and natural environments as our therapy setting. Children are able to move their bodies freely, explore, and engage with real-world challenges in a way that feels natural and meaningful.
Nature becomes an active part of the therapeutic process. It provides rich sensory input, supports emotional regulation, and invites curiosity, creativity, and problem-solving. Kids aren’t just “doing therapy”—they’re climbing, hiking, balancing, building, and playing while developing the skills they need for everyday life.
In this environment, therapy feels less clinical and more like adventure, helping children grow confidence, connection, and resilience through real experiences in nature.
Can siblings attend together?
It depends on the program and each child’s individual needs. For summer camp, we thoughtfully group children based on age, developmental level, and therapeutic goals to ensure the best experience for everyone. Siblings may be placed in the same group or in different sessions, depending on what will best support their growth and success.
For our after-school groups, we can also explore whether participating together or separately would be most beneficial. We’re always happy to talk through options and find the best fit for each child.
Do you cancel sessions in rainy or adverse weather?
We believe in the benefits of outdoor play in many types of weather, so most sessions take place rain or shine throughout the seasons. However, safety is always our top priority, and sessions may be canceled in hazardous conditions.
We cancel or reschedule sessions for severe weather (such as lightning, high winds, or extreme temperatures), poor air quality (orange range or higher on PurpleAir), or cold conditions below 10°F including wind chill. For 10–15°F, we use clinical judgment based on current conditions.
If a session is canceled due to weather or environmental safety concerns, families will receive a refund.
What is the attendance or cancellation policy for groups?
Progress towards goals relies on consistent attendance. We do not reimburse for missed sessions so please enroll with this understanding. If Playful Peaks has to cancel a session for any reason, the day will be refunded.
Late pick-ups in excess of 5 minutes after group ending time will be charged $5/minute. This late pickup charge will automatically be charged to your card on file.
