Inner Wonders: Pediatric Occupational Therapy

A Holistic & Integrative Approach to Occupational Therapy for the Neurodiverse Child

Does your child…

Feel upset or anxious without being able to identify the cause, or do they consistently describe their feelings using the same limited vocabulary?

Have trouble connecting with peers, or seems to do really well in social situations but has a hard time regulating at home?

Have difficulty calming down after a moment of upset?

Face challenges in recognizing when something is “too much” before it leads to a meltdown or shutdown?

Struggle to recognize when they need to use the bathroom or confuse it with other sensations, like hunger, anxiety?

Get labeled as having “aggressive” or “inappropriate” behaviors?


Do you find yourself…

Wanting to better advocate for your child or support their experiences but unsure where to begin?

Exploring various therapies and strategies for your child, only to discover that nothing seems to stick?

Experiencing stress and overwhelm as you strive to support your child while also taking care of yourself?

Feeling responsible for understanding your child's emotions at all times, and then feeling sad or frustrated when you're unable to do so?

Finding it challenging to connect with your child’s emotions and wishing to strengthen your relationship to support them on their journey?

Here’s how we can help.

Inner Wonders is an occupational therapy program that blends OT and yoga, specially designed for children with autism and other neurodiversities, and their families. Our child-centered approach prioritizes connection over compliance, using trauma-sensitive and neuro-affirming language to foster safety, trust, and meaningful relationships. We focus on building interoceptive awareness to promote greater emotional regulation, while also enhancing body awareness and sensory integration. We support parents in understanding their child’s experience without judgment, reducing stress, and fostering a deeper, more connected relationship. Meeting your family where you are, we celebrate each individual’s unique journey, creating a space where you, your family and your child can thrive together.

Program Highlights

Sensory Regulation

Through the proprioceptive nature of yoga and integrating textures, sounds, and various sensory experiences into our sessions, we cultivate a rich sensory environment that promotes modulation, enhancing calm and regulation.

Interoceptive Awareness

We engage in body awareness activities that help recognize and interpret both external and internal bodily signals, such as hunger, emotions, and physical sensations. Through mindful practices play, we cultivate the ability to tune into these cues, leading to a deeper understanding of individual needs and improved emotional regulation.

Motor Coordination

By incorporating yoga poses, movement games, and exercises tailored to individual needs, we improve balance, strength, and agility. This targeted approach not only builds physical abilities but also fosters confidence and independence in everyday tasks, supporting overall developmental progress.

Emotional Regulation

We foster a supportive environment where feelings can be explored and expressed, through any mode of communication. We encourage self-awareness, empathy, and advocacy. This helps children develop emotional intelligence and build meaningful relationships, enhancing their social interactions and fostering a strong sense of community.

Co-regulation & Relationship

We emphasize meaningful connection building and co-regulation as vital components of nervous system regulation. By fostering supportive relationships, individuals learn to feel safe and secure, which is essential for calming the nervous system.

Mindfulness and Stress Relief

We understand that mindfulness can sometimes feel abstract, so we tailor our practices to make them accessible for all children, including those who are non-speaking or have difficulty controlling their breathing patterns. For those struggling with breath control, we focus on gentle movements and rhythmic patterns, allowing them to experience mindfulness through their bodies.

Celebrate inner wonder.

  • This is a free 15 minute consultation call (video or phone) to discuss your individual needs and goals.

  • The Pathway Plan Session, our initial evaluation session, involves comprehensive assessments and interviews to tailor session plans specifically to your child's needs. This personalized evaluation approach sets the foundation for meaningful growth and progress.

  • You can choose to book OT sessions on a program basis, allowing for a flexible approach that aligns with your ongoing therapeutic needs. Session lengths can range from 45 to 60 minutes, depending on the individual. Whether you opt for a short-term intensive or a long-term program, we'll ensure that the structure of your sessions fits seamlessly into your lifestyle, fostering consistent progress tailored to your unique needs.

Path to Enrollment

FAQs

  • This program welcomes children of all abilities, including those with autism and other neurodiverse needs, as well as neurotypical children. Our approach is about meeting each child and family where they are, offering a compassionate space for growth, connection, and shared healing, whenever it feels like the right fit for you.

  • Yoga has shown numerous for children with diverse abilities such as:

    • Improved socioemotional and regulation skills

    • Increased body awareness

    • Improved gross and fine motor skills

    • Improved sleep patterns

    • Improved gastrointestinal health

    • Enhanced balance control

    • Increased concentration and eye hand coordination

    • Improved executive functioning skills

    • Reduced stress and tension and lowered pulse rate

    • Enhanced global self-worth and perceptions of physical well-being

    • Enhanced mental clarity

    • Improved interpersonal relationships

  • Our sessions create a calm, inclusive space to support sensory and emotional needs, involving the whole family. We focus on interoceptive awareness, body awareness, nervous system regulation, and meaningful relationship building. Each session includes grounding activities, child-led sensory play, mindfulness, and yoga movements, concluding with relaxation to promote calm and well-being.

  • This therapeutic approach is flexible and can continue for as long as it benefits your child and family. We’ll work closely as a team to assess progress, and if the intervention is proving effective, we’ll gladly continue with additional sessions. Each 1:1 session is 60 minutes in length, with 50 minutes of direct care with the child and 10 minutes of parent consultation. Caregivers are encouraged to participate throughout the session, fostering safety and meaningful connections within the entire team.

  • You will receive an intake form to fill out prior to completing your first session. We also offer a 30 minute discovery session to help you decide if we are the right fit for each other.

  • The initial 90-minute evaluation session costs $300. After the evaluation, each individual session is 60 minutes long at a rate of $175. This includes 50 minutes of direct service with your child and 10 minutes to discuss progress with you.

    Eighth Sense Wellness is an out-of-network provider, meaning we do not accept insurance directly. However, we provide superbills that you can submit to your insurance company for potential reimbursement. Most patients find they can receive reimbursement for a significant portion of our fees, depending on their individual insurance plans.

    If you have any further questions about costs or insurance coverage, feel free to reach out! We are happy to help.

  • If you’re interested in learning more about how our program might fit your needs, we’d be happy to provide more information and answer any questions. Please reach out to us at eighthsensewellness@gmail.com.