Motiv8 Pediatric Therapy, LLC

05/02/2026

Last Week of OT Month ❤️
Week 4 of our Reflex Series for OT Month:
The Babinski Reflex

The Babinski reflex is the extension of the big toe while the other toes fan outward when the outside of the foot is stroked 🦶. It integrates between 1 to 2 years of age.
It plays an important role in balance, crawling, standing, walking and running🚶‍♀️ It also assists in developing muscle tone and joint rotation in lower extremities 🦵

Possible symptoms of an unitegrated Babinski reflex can include poor balance, poor gross motor skills, abnormal gait, inability to run 🏃‍♂️, feet sensitivity, and difficulty wearing socks and shoes 👞

It is important to address a retained babinski because it can create lifelong difficulties grounding and stability, bilateral integration and gross motor coordination 🚴‍♂️ 🚴‍♀️

05/01/2026

Celebrating our amazing OT squad 🧡💜

04/27/2026

Week 3 of our Reflex Series for OT Month
Week 3: Asymmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex

The ATNR is trigerred by head turning 🧒 When the head is turned to one side, the arm and leg of that side extend, while the opposite side flexes. It integrates by 6 months of age.
It plays an important role in motor coordination and the differentiation of right and left side of the body.

Possible symptoms of an unitegrated ATNR can include mixed hand dominance 👐 uncoordinated cross-lateral movement🕺💃 getting stuck on homolateral patterns, and learning difficulties 📖

It is important to address a retained ATNR because it can create lifelong challenges with learning, motor coordination, and sensory processing. 💬🤸

Recap of some of the activities/exercises we completed targeting the ATNR.

04/19/2026

Continuation of our Reflex Series for OT Month
Week 2: Palmar Reflex ✊️

The palmar reflex is the flexion of the fingers making a firm grasp elicited by pressure on the palm 👊 It integrates at 12 months of age 🥳 Possible symptoms of an unitegrated palmar reflex can include poor fine motor skills, decreased eye-hand coordination, and mouth movements when using the hands ✍️

It is important to address a retained palmar reflex because it can create lifelong challenges with pencil manipulation, decreased hand strength, and tactile sensitivity 👀🧩

Treatment methods for retained reflexes include strengthening, coordination, and specific motor pattern exercises.

We had lots of fun targeting the palmar reflex! ❤️

04/12/2026

April is Occupational Therapy Month! ❤️
This year we decided to highlight our expertise in working with primitive reflexes 👀
We launched our OT Month Reflex Series with the Moro reflex.

We are all born with reflexes. Reflexes are automatic responses essential for survival but, as our brain matures, reflexes become "integrated" and no longer active.

The Moro reflex is a startle reaction 😨 caused by sudden/unexpected noise, touch, light, or change in body position. It integrates between 4 to 6 months of age. Possible symptoms of an unitegrated moro reflex can include excessive anxiety 😰

It is important to address a retained moro reflex because it can create lifelong challenges with stress management, emotional maturity, sensory processing and learning 🤓

Treatment methods for retained reflexes include strengthening, coordination, and stretching exercises. Education and early intervention are key to success 🔑

04/06/2026

Happy OT Month! ❤️

Occupational therapy is a scienc, an art, a beloved profession.

04/05/2026

Happy Easter! ❤️

03/18/2026

Sensory Bins are great in fostering exploration and imaginative play, improving fine motor skills, promoting cognitive and language development and providing self-regulation opportunities 🍀 ☘️ 🍀
They are easy to create and can be themed for holidays, seasons, and more 🌈

02/14/2026

Happy Valentine's Day ❤️

12/31/2025

Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!! 🎄❄️
Thank you to all of our clients and our team for a wonderful year ❤️ 🎆

12/13/2025

Oh what an honor for Dr. Jennifer Padilla to be recognized as best Occupational Therapist in the Houston Birth Community. Thanks to BirthCo. for hosting the awards ceremony ❤️ 🌟