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Monday 8am - 6:30pm Tuesday 8am - 6:30pm Wednesday 8am - 6:30pm Thursday 8am - 6:30pm Friday 8am - 6:30pm

Playworks Speech, Occupational, and Physical Therapies

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Arlington, VA
Playworks Speech, Occupational, and Physical Therapies

We provide pediatric occupational therapy and speech and language therapy for children. Our goal is

05/15/2025

A strategy called Auditory Bombardment is demonstrated in the video above with one of Playworks’s clients. Auditory Bombardment is the process of intentionally repeating a word throughout a set period of time in order to increase the likelihood of the word being used in a child’s language. It is a language development technique which can be practiced in many different settings making it approachable for parents, therapists, and doctors. It is used to improve a child’s auditory processing skills, their development of both speech and language, their level of comprehension, and build the child’s confidence. Playworks’s Director, Patti Wilson, practices the strategy here using an audio recording of Sheep in a Shop by Nancy Shaw. The repetition of the word sheep features an “SH” and phonetically creates a “shh” sound which this particular client is working on right now. By allowing the client to get comfortable with the word and the sounds of each syllable, the client will hopefully be more likely to use words featuring an “SH” in daily speech.

03/17/2025

Check out our I-Spy sensory bin! The best part? It’s so easy to make at home—just grab whatever small items you have, mix them together, and you’ve got an instant sensory play experience!

For our St. Paddy’s Day theme, we tossed in some letters, gold coins, rainbow-colored pieces, and other fun textures. You can make yours with extra noodles, beads, buttons, small toys—whatever you can find!

Ways to play:
🌈 Letter Hunt – Spell words like gold or rainbow.
✋ Fine Motor Fun – Use tongs or scoops to pick up objects.
👀 I-Spy Challenge – Call out items for your child to find.

01/07/2025

🌨️ When Snow Days Feel Overwhelming for Sensitive Kids 🌨️

The change in routine, available play activities, and sensory experiences of a snow day can be a lot to process for sensitive kiddos. ❄️ Quick temperature changes, new layers of clothing, and the brightness of sunlight reflecting off the snow can all add up to sensory overload.

For many of our kids, it’s not just about what’s happening outside—it’s about what’s happening inside. 🧠 Some kiddos have difficulty perceiving or interpreting their body signals (interoception), which can leave them (and us!) guessing as to what’s causing their distress.

💭 Interoception Exploration:
Help your child tune into their body with questions like:

🌬️ “How does your skin feel with the wind blowing?”
☀️ “Is the brightness of the snow too much for your eyes?”
🧥 “Do you feel sweaty with your jacket on, or maybe stinging from the cold?”
🔥 “What does it feel like when we come inside—tingly, warm? Remember, this feeling won’t last forever.”
🌟 Calming Strategies for Snowy Days:

1️⃣ Bring the Snow Inside:

Scoop snow into a bucket or bin for sensory play indoors.
Add small toys, scoops, or tools for creative exploration.
2️⃣ Take Breaks & Check-Ins:

Pause frequently to ask how your child is feeling:
“Are your hands cold or tingly?”
“Do you need a warm-up break?”
3️⃣ Plan Ahead for Outside Time:

Make a clear plan for outdoor activities:
What will you do?
How long will you stay out?
Use a timer or countdown to prepare for transitions.
4️⃣ Comfort in Layers:

Choose soft, non-irritating base layers under winter gear.
Make adjustments to clothing as needed to balance warmth and comfort.
5️⃣ After Play Calm:

Transition indoors with a cozy routine: warm drinks, deep-pressure snuggles, or quiet time in a blanket fort.
By validating their experience and offering sensory tools, you can turn a tricky snow day into a moment of connection and calm. 💙

11/15/2024

Say hello to our newest OT 👋🏻

Laurie initially received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Human Relations in Business from the College of William and Mary, where she was a proud member of the women’s soccer team. She first became interested in occupational therapy while searching for a client-centered health profession combining creative problem-solving skills with evidence-based practice. During Laurie’s break from schooling to raise three children, she worked as a manager/teacher for Gymboree Play and Music, a developmentally-based play program for children ages 3 months to 5 years. She then returned to school to pursue her dream of becoming an OT practitioner and graduated in 2018 from NVCC’s OTA program. Before joining the Playworks team, Laurie worked in outpatient pediatrics in the Northern VA area for 5 years. Laurie has worked treating children with a range of diagnoses, including autism, ADHD, cerebral palsy, seizure disorders, Down’s Syndrome, developmental delays, and sensory processing disorder. She has experience working in the Fairfax County Public School system as a Fieldwork Level 2 student with children from preschool through high school. In her spare time, Laurie and her Goldendoodle, Ellie, volunteer with People, Animals, Love, an organization which provides pet visits to bring happiness and comfort to numerous individuals throughout the D.C. Metropolitan area. Laurie also has an African Grey parrot named Cali, so her home is always filled with “musical” sounds! When not playing with her pets, Laurie also enjoys gardening, reading and spending time with family, which has recently expanded to include an adorable grandson!

10/23/2024

Exciting changes are happening at Playworks! We’re thrilled about our new Reading Nook—it’s already a favorite. Stay tuned for more surprises coming your way!

07/22/2024

Parents and Teenagers, join us for our “happy hour” style event with wine and mocktails. Hear from 16-year-old Nell Choi about living with a rare genetic condition and connect with local families.

Hope to see you all this Thursday at 7 PM

04/18/2024

Hang in there, it’s almost Friday!!

👀 if you look closely, this is a sneak peek of our new sensory gym from 👀

03/30/2024

Say hello to our newest OT, Miss Olivia 👋🏻

Olivia Maloney is an occupational therapist originally from Ohio. She obtained her bachelor’s of Liberal Arts with a focus on Human Occupational Studies and her Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy from Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio. In 2019, she moved to Virginia, gaining experience in various occupational therapy settings, including outpatient, virtual, and school-based environments. She completed the SOS Approach to Feeding training and is passionate about creating positive experiences around eating and mealtimes. She prioritizes several key elements in her practice, including child-led play, crafting appropriately challenging tasks, adjusting activities to suit individual needs, providing guidance to parents, and integrating sensory-based approaches. She has experience working with a variety of diagnoses and needs including but not limited to: Autism Spectrum Disorder, Down Syndrome, sensory processing disorder, ADHD, and executive functioning disorder. When Olivia is not at work, she enjoys completing puzzles, spending time with friends and family, walking her dog, and traveling.

03/04/2024

Swipe to see some of our clinician’s favorite ways to play with Magnet Tiles during our sessions. They are easy to recreate at home and a fun way to develop your kids skills!

03/03/2024

Every Thursday, our team gets together to delve into new topics and expand our knowledge. We believe in continuously evolving to provide the best support possible.

This past week, we had the privilege of hosting two incredible parents who generously shared their children’s journeys with us, from birth to diagnosis to where they are now. It was an eye-opening experience that reminded us of the importance of listening to the voices of those we serve.

A huge thank you to the two moms who joined us and shared their stories. Your insights have deeply impacted us, and we’re grateful for your openness and honesty. Here’s to creating a more supportive and understanding environment for all!

02/28/2024

Exciting News! Our therapy space just got a major upgrade with the addition of a Summit Sensory gym structure – the FIRST in the DMV area!

Now, our interventions have endless possibilities, sparking creativity and unleashing children’s imaginations.

02/12/2024

Get to Know Miss Gabby!

Miss Gabby, one of our speech therapists, has been a valued member of the Playworks team for nearly two years, providing essential support to our children. She shared some of her personal favorites to get to know her better:

- Favorite Game: “Feed the Kitten” at Playworks (though her smile may suggest otherwise, she’s fiercely competitive).
- Preferred Self-Regulation Technique: Decluttering her surroundings. By organizing her environment, she finds internal clarity and calmness.
- Best Aspect of Being on the Playworks Team: Access to valuable resources and expertise, enabling continual personal and professional growth for both herself and her clients.

Miss Gabby is cherished by our team for her kindness, helpfulness, and exceptional organizational skills. She excels as a collaborator and problem-solver, providing invaluable support to both group and individual clients. Her quick adaptability and dedication inspire us to continually strive for excellence.

Address

4620 Lee Highway, Ste 215
Arlington, VA
22207

Opening Hours

Monday	8am - 6:30pm
Tuesday	8am - 6:30pm
Wednesday	8am - 6:30pm
Thursday	8am - 6:30pm
Friday	8am - 6:30pm

Telephone

+17032434600

Website

http://www.playworksspeech.com/

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