Adira Occupational Therapy

03/04/2025

🗣️Hand dominance in babies? 🚩 NOT a milestone!

Hola, Dr. Monica here! Finally back in the jive of things and with the energy to drop some educational content (supported by evidence) 🙌🏽 So here we go…

Hand preference shouldn’t be obvious in infancy. True dominance typically emerges around age 2-4, sometimes even later! If un bebé is always favoring one hand before 12 months, it’s not just a cute little quirk—it’s a clue. And if you’ve been told to just “wait and see”? Nope. Not here for that. Never have been, never will be. 🫠

Fun fact: Bebés start using their hands asymmetrically around 7-9 months, but this should shift back and forth! If one side is always the MVP, it’s time for an evaluation.

Because here’s the thing: Early intervention matters. Babies learn through movement, not by sitting around hoping things sort themselves out. If we catch asymmetries early, we can guide the brain and body toward more balanced, functional development—not just stretch it and call it a day. 🧠

I will forever be on my soapbox about this: waiting it out is not best practice. If you see early hand preference, don’t panic—but don’t wait either! 🧼

Thanks for being here! 🫶🏽



Have you been told to wait and see in regards to your babe’s development❓

02/17/2025

In November 2022, I started Adira Occupational Therapy—what began as a small idea, a quiet dream, has since blossomed into something more beautiful than I ever imagined. I am in awe of how we’ve grown, not just in size, but in impact, in connection, in the families we’ve had the honor of supporting.

Never in my wildest dreams did I think Adira OT would become what it is today—that I would walk alongside so many families in their earliest days of parenthood, navigating the beautiful, messy chaos together. I am forever changed by the stories shared, the trust placed in me, and the resilience I witness every single day.

For the last two years, I primarily saw families in their homes, traveling throughout Ventura and the Santa Ynez Valley, and welcoming families who journeyed from Camarillo, Simi Valley, Los Angeles, Lompoc, and beyond to meet in a temporary space in Santa Barbara. It has been an honor to be trusted with your little ones, and I am deeply grateful for the referrals from providers who recognize and support the work I do.

As 2024 came to a close, I knew it was time for Adira OT to put down roots. I made the decision to open a permanent little home in Santa Barbara—a space designed with intention, warmth, and love. As a mobile practice, I was limited in how many families I could serve, especially with travel time, and this new space allows me to expand, to welcome more families, and to offer care in a setting that feels both grounded and nurturing. Of course, home visits will always be available for our tiniest and most delicate babes.

And yet—this is only the beginning. 2025 holds even more magic, and this brick-and-mortar space isn’t even the most exciting change ahead. Stay tuned—there’s so much more to come.

As always, thanks for being here. 🫶🏽

01/17/2025

Hola, it’s been a while. 👋🏽

I’m bringing you a new educational post on a population of kiddos I work with. I often say, “digestion starts in the mouth,” and many times, the challenges here can impact how excrement leaves our digestive tract. This post dives into the connection between oral-motor skills, sensory processing, and issues like constipation and f***l withholding.

I’ll be coming back soon with more promised posts and information, including:
👅How a tongue tie may impact the transition to solids or solid food consumption.
👅The importance of the optimal timing of release
👅My own tongue-tie story

And as always, thanks for being here 🫶🏽

11/19/2024

Hypotonia, commonly known as low muscle tone, can affect many areas of an infant’s development. It can impact their ability to feed effectively, airway health may be affected due to tone in respiratory and postural support muscles. Additionally, low muscle tone can interfere with an infant’s ability to reach important motor milestones.

Also, bebes with hypotonia might experience difficulties with sensory processing, as their bodies may not respond to stimuli in the typical manner. This can manifest in challenges with touch, balance, and coordination.

Understanding and addressing hypotonia is crucial to fostering the growth and development of our babes. Occupational therapy plays a pivotal role in this process, focusing on individualized strategies to help them build the necessary strength and coordination.

Is there anything you’d like to know about Hypotonia? And as always, thanks for being here. 🫶🏽

10/21/2024

Hola, Dra. Monica here, happy Monday. 👋🏽 We’re continuing with our primitive reflexes, again educating on—their role, significance, and how retained reflexes can impact feeding and development. Today, I’m sharing about the Rooting Reflex and how it assists in early infant feeding.

But did you know that when the Rooting Reflex is retained, it can show up in unexpected ways? From difficulty latching and feeding struggles to challenges with turning the head while eating or tracking visually, an unintegrated Rooting Reflex can create problems far beyond its typical developmental stage. Babies may struggle with coordinated head movements during feeding, leading to asymmetrical head positioning, messy eating, and even discomfort when feeding from different angles. Understanding how these early reflexes influence your child’s feeding and overall development can empower you to notice signs and seek the right support if needed. 🤱🏽🧑🏿‍🍼

Have any questions about the Rooting Reflex? Drop them below, or let me know what other reflexes you’re curious about! As always, I’m grateful you’re here learning alongside me. 🫶🏽

10/02/2024

“Hola, buen día! Dra. Monica here with some feeding education, on today’s agenda—meats//carne. 🥩🍗

A very common occurrence in my feeding evaluation or a common reason for families reaching out is because their kiddos don’t eat any meat or are avoiding whole food groups. Have you ever wondered why some toddler or school-aged littles seem to struggle with eating meats like steak or chicken breast, but happily munch on chicken nuggets, deli meats, or hamburgers? Meats are one of the toughest foods for little ones to manage, requiring strong jaw muscles, efficient tongue movement, and complex chewing skills.

Many assume kiddos are avoiding meats out of behavior or being “picky eaters”—but it can actually indicate underlying oral-motor delays or structural issues, making it hard to chew and swallow safely.

If your kiddo consistently avoids meats or entire food groups, it may be time for a feeding therapy evaluation to identify and support their needs.

Check out my post for more details on why meat aversion matters and what to look for! 👉🏽 Save this post for future reference and share it with a friend or family member who may be dealing with similar mealtime struggles. Or leave a question.

Thanks for being here. 🫶🏽

Disclaimer: This post is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your healthcare provider(s) for concerns about your child’s health, feeding, or digestion. If your child is experiencing symptoms that worry you, please seek medical attention promptly.

09/29/2024

Did you know that our oral motor skills can impact our gut health?
Did you know dysfunctional chewing and swallowing can lead to GI symptoms and discomfort?

If your kiddo is experiencing reflux, gas, constipation or pain during or after eating, it could be due to their orofacial structures or feeding skills. 👅 Consider consulting with a feeding therapist to empower yourself and ensure your kiddo feels good in their body, especially when it relates to eating and feeding. 🧆

Your engagement helps spread awareness about the importance of optimal feeding skills in our kiddos’ growth and development. As always, thanks for being here. 🫶🏽

Disclaimer: This post is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your healthcare provider(s) for concerns about your child’s health, feeding, or digestion. If your child is experiencing symptoms that worry you, please seek medical attention promptly.

09/05/2024

08/06/2024

Hola//hi/hello, World Breastfeeding Week 2024 ends tomorrow. I want to highlight Occupational Therapy’s role in breastfeeding and our collaborative efforts with lactation support professionals like IBCLCs, CLCs, and CBCs. Many of our families start their care with a lactation referral, yay teamwork! 🫶🏽

But let’s not forget that there is so much work to do in supporting our breastfeeding dyads; systemic barriers often hinder our efforts. 😕 For instance, the lack of paid maternity leave, the lack of training on breastfeeding for health support staff (including Occupational therapy and various allied health professionals), misinformation, inadequate workplace accommodations, and insufficient lactation support services are significant obstacles.

Supporting breastfeeding isn’t just beneficial for babies and mothers; it has far-reaching positive effects on public health and the environment. Breastfeeding can reduce the risk of infections, allergies, and chronic conditions in babies while also lowering mothers’ risks of breast and ovarian cancers. Environmentally, breastfeeding reduces the carbon footprint associated with formula production, packaging, and transportation.

It’s crucial that we recognize these barriers. We must advocate for better policies (and V 0 T E), 🤡such as extending paid maternity leave, ensuring breastfeeding-friendly workplaces, and increasing access to professional lactation support. By doing so, we can help more families achieve their breastfeeding goals and contribute to a healthier, more sustainable future.

Let’s continue to support and empower breastfeeding families every day, not just during World Breastfeeding Week! And for all of you breastfeeding mamas and supporting families making it happen, yay you! ♥️

08/05/2024

World Breastfeeding Week 2024: As an Occupational Therapist and a mama, breastfeeding has been an integral part of my life and practice—some may say the very center of it. Here I am, breastfeeding Scout for the very first time. Thank you, , for capturing this moment.
I’ve proudly been breastfeeding for 1,191 days, providing Scout with nourishment, medicine, and connection. 🫶🏽 Breastfeeding Scout has reshaped my life, and that’s why I’m here today, supporting mamas in feeding their babies! 💪🏾

It has been my most incredible honor to fight with you and for you in feeding your babies. Thank you for letting me support you and share this journey with me. Breastfeeding has genuinely changed my life. ♥️

I have more to share for World Breastfeeding Week, so stay tuned!