Throughout the blog, I’ve shared how grateful I am for our Occupational Therapist. Ms. W truly is a gift from God. She challenges Bubs to grow and improve, and she partners with us so we can support him at home. I regularly thank God for leading us to her. It’s through OT that we’ve seen such incredible growth—honestly, it feels like we’ve regained our son.
I realize not everyone has this kind of experience. Some of you may have had therapists who weren’t helpful. Some can’t afford private, one-on-one sessions. Others know their child needs help but don’t know where to begin. I’m sharing our story in hopes that it gives you a starting point and some encouragement.
How We Found the Right Therapist
We started by taking our concerns to our pediatrician. I could go on and on about how much I love her. I believe God placed her in our lives. Her son shared the same cardiologist as Bubs and also deals with sensory challenges. She truly gets our situation.
After noticing Bubs’ fine motor delays and listening to my concerns about his sensory needs, our pediatrician wrote a prescription for an OT evaluation. Once we sorted through the insurance details, Bubs had a two-hour evaluation. The therapist confirmed the sensory issues and identified additional delays. Based on her findings, he was approved for two one-hour sessions each week.
Navigating Insurance and Therapy Options
Because of Bubs’ long history of medical needs, I’ve spent countless hours on the phone with insurance. One thing I’ve learned: never rely on the answer from just one person. Call multiple times and speak with different representatives to confirm coverage. Be sure to ask how many OT sessions are covered each year. Once you’ve gotten the same answer from more than one person, request it in writing. Thankfully, our OT has been helpful in navigating the insurance side of things—they deal with it daily. If your insurance is through an employer, also check with the HR department to confirm your benefits.
In our case, Bubs didn’t need an “official” diagnosis to receive therapy. Approval was based solely on his test results.
Depending on where you live, OT options may vary. You might find private clinics, school-based therapists, or co-op programs. Or, there may be very few choices. Start making phone calls. Talk to your pediatrician, reach out to your school district, and connect with other parents to learn what’s available. We’ve been blessed to have both an excellent OT and speech therapist.
A side note about speech: For a time, we saw two speech therapists—one privately and one through a co-op. We loved Ms. W, our private therapist. The co-op therapist, while sweet, was young and inexperienced. Bubs completely ran over her. More than once I had to step in to manage his behavior, which wasn’t fair to her or to him. We ultimately chose to stop seeing her.
Finding the Right Fit for the Child
I share this to encourage you: It is your responsibility to make sure the therapist is the right fit for the child. Just because someone has a good reputation—or a fish symbol next to their name—doesn’t automatically mean they’re a good match. Time, money, and the child’s progress are too valuable to waste. Most importantly, when allowing someone to work one-on-one with the child, make sure the environment is both effective and safe.
This has been our experience. Things may look different for you depending on your state, your insurance, or your school district. But I hope our story provides clarity and a bit of direction.
