Hands on Play Pediatric Therapy

02/05/2026

A child who clings isn’t being “needy” or “attention seeking.”

They’re expressing:
“My body needs closeness to feel okay right now.”

That’s Automatic Interoception Communication. A child’s natural, reflexive expressions of their inner experience.

When we meet it with curiosity, not correction or behavior modification, many children eventually feel safe enough to express and meet that same need in more intentional, reflective ways.

Connection supports interoception communication.
Compliance disrupts it.



Image Description: Pink and purple tile with graphics of parents embracing their children that says, “A child who clings isn’t being ‘needy’ or ‘attention seeking’ They’re expressing: my body needs closeness to feel okay right now.”

02/04/2026

Hi friends and family!! We would LOVE your help in supporting HOP! 😄🥳💗
Voting closes soon! Click the link!

Welcome to our 2026 Best of Roanoke Reader's Poll Voting Page! This ballot is your chance to weigh in on the people, places and things that make or break your day here in the valley.

02/02/2026

Sliding into OT sessions like… ❄️
when winter turns the driveway into a sensory obstacle course HandsOnPlayPediatricTherapy

01/29/2026

"Congratulations, Hands on Play Pediatric Therapy has made it to the finals of the Best of Roanoke 2026!" 😄🧡

Hi Families!! We are so excited to announce that we were nominated and made it to the finals for 3 BEST OF CATEGORIES in Roanoke!
🎉🥳

Voting ends February 9th and we would love your vote:
https://vote.theroanoker.com/custom_link/69791c5bd53250084fe6651d
😄

Welcome to our 2026 Best of Roanoke Reader's Poll Voting Page! This ballot is your chance to weigh in on the people, places and things that make or break your day here in the valley.

01/26/2026

Weather update ❄️
For Monday the 26th and Tuesday the 27th, some sessions may be adjusted due to weather.
Please make a plan directly with your child’s therapist so we can prioritize safety while still supporting your child.
Stay warm and safe 💗

01/23/2026

Our HOP team of therapists got together to spend time and paint each other!

We can't wait to show you the reveal! 😄🤣

01/17/2026

Even during a (totally imaginary!) Louvre heist, we’d still stop to support emotional regulation. Because in OT, helping people comes first—always. 😉✨

Connection comes first!

01/15/2026

Adults Don’t Actually Know the “Why.”

Behaviorism is built on a dangerous assumption:
the adult knows the why or “function” behind a behavior.

Based on often vague or inaccurate interpretations
“attention seeking,”
“escape/avoidance”
the focus quickly becomes changing the behavior.

Interoception is built on a different truth:
the adult doesn’t know the why… and is willing to be curious together.

That not-knowing is vulnerable.
But it’s also where real understanding begins.

One approach centers authority.
The other centers relationship.

Only one creates the belief and validation needed to build regulation, communication, and change that actually lasts.



Image Description: Orange and pink tile that says, “Behaviorism assumes the adult knows the why. Interoception begins by admitting we don’t, and being curious together.”

01/15/2026

Something new is coming to Hands On Play 👀

We’re getting ready to roll out a brand new parent app designed to make communication, carryover, and connection even easier 💻📱

Think:
✨ easier in-app messaging
✨ better insight into what your child is working on
✨ photos and videos you can actually reference between sessions

More details coming soon… we’re so excited about this one 💗