Therapy Guides for Parents

Clear, expert-reviewed guides to pediatric occupational, physical and speech therapy — by condition, cost, comparison and age.

Condition Guides

Occupational Therapy for Sensory Processing Disorder

Key Takeaways

  • Pediatric therapy guides span three core disciplines — occupational therapy, speech therapy, and physical therapy — each addressing different needs for the same childhood condition.
  • These guides cover a wide range of conditions, including sensory processing disorder, autism, ADHD, developmental delays, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, dyspraxia (DCD), and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.
  • Cost and insurance topics include what pediatric OT, speech, and physical therapy cost, how insurance and Medicaid cover them, and options for affordable therapy without insurance.
  • Comparison guides help parents understand distinctions such as OT vs. PT, speech therapy vs. ABA, Early Intervention vs. private therapy, and group vs. individual therapy.
  • For each condition, occupational, speech, and physical therapy each play distinct roles — for example, OT often focuses on fine motor and daily-living skills, speech therapy on communication and feeding, and physical therapy on movement and coordination.

How occupational therapy helps children with sensory processing disorder — what sessions look like, signs your…

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Cost & Insurance

Comparisons

By Age

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between occupational therapy and physical therapy for my child?

There is a guide dedicated to OT vs. PT for children that explains the difference, when your child needs each, whether they can do both, and how to decide between them.

How much does pediatric therapy cost and will insurance cover it?

Cost guides cover session and evaluation prices for pediatric occupational, speech, and physical therapy, along with what insurance and Medicaid cover. There is also a guide on affordable therapy options without insurance, including sliding-scale clinics, university programs, and school and Early Intervention services.

What kinds of therapy can help an autistic child?

Guides cover occupational therapy (sensory regulation, daily-living skills, fine motor, and play), speech therapy (communication, social language, AAC, and feeding), and physical therapy (motor skills, coordination, balance, strength, and active play) for autistic children.

Is sensory integration therapy the same as occupational therapy?

There is a dedicated guide explaining how sensory integration therapy and OT relate, what Ayres Sensory Integration is, and how they differ.

Should I choose Early Intervention or private therapy for my young child?

A comparison guide covers Early Intervention versus private therapy for young children, looking at cost, eligibility, setting, intensity, and when to choose each.

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