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Monday 9am - 6pm Tuesday 9am - 6pm Wednesday 9am - 6pm Thursday 9am - 6pm Friday 9am - 6pm

http://www.smartpediatrics.com/

SMART Pediatrics, 1200 High Ridge Road, Stamford, CT (2025)

11/18/2025

If your child dreads birthday parties, covers their ears during singing, or melts down in noisy places, they might not be “overreacting.” They could be experiencing auditory overload.

Kids with auditory sensitivities have nervous systems that process sound differently. Everyday noises like clapping, cheering, or even background chatter can feel overwhelming, almost painful at times.

When this happens, their bodies go into a protective mode. You might see signs like:
👂 Covering their ears or hiding under tables
😣 Becoming anxious or tearful in crowds
🚪 Wanting to leave noisy environments quickly

This response is rooted in how the sensory system processes input. Occupational therapy helps by using graded exposure, sensory regulation, and environmental adaptations to help kids feel safe and in control of their surroundings.

So next time your child avoids the party, it’s not defiance. It’s their nervous system asking for calm.

Have you noticed your child reacting strongly to certain sounds or environments? Let’s talk about what might be going on behind it.

11/17/2025

Why Some Kids Get Motion Sickness Easily

If your child gets carsick on short rides or feels dizzy after spinning or swinging, it might be more than just a “sensitive stomach.”
What’s really going on often comes back to the vestibular system, the part of the brain that helps us balance, move, and understand where our body is in space.

When this system is underdeveloped or working too hard, it struggles to process movement and balance signals smoothly. That mismatch can trigger nausea, dizziness, or even anxiety during motion.

Sometimes, this sensitivity is also linked to retained primitive reflexes, especially the Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex (TLR). When TLR isn’t fully integrated, a child’s body may overreact to changes in head position, making activities like riding in the car, climbing, or swinging feel overwhelming.

Occupational therapy supports the vestibular system through graded movement, reflex integration, and sensory regulation, helping kids build the foundation for better balance and body awareness.

If your child avoids movement play or struggles with motion sickness, it’s not about being “picky.” It’s about helping their brain and body learn to work together.

Have you noticed your child getting dizzy or carsick easily? Share your experience in the comments, let’s talk about what might be behind it.

11/13/2025

Why is crawling still so important for development?

What you’re seeing here is an STNR integration activity, an exercise designed to help the body separate upper and lower movements while building the foundation for better posture, attention, and coordination.

The Symmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex (STNR) is a primitive reflex that helps babies transition from lying down to crawling. When it doesn’t integrate fully, older kids might struggle with sitting upright, reading comfortably, or writing for long periods.

In this activity, the child crawls forward while focusing on movement patterns that coordinate the head, arms, and legs. This helps:
💪 Strengthen the neck and core muscles
🧠 Improve communication between the brain and body
📚 Support focus, eye tracking, and learning readiness
✋ Build better posture for seated tasks like handwriting and classroom work

It’s amazing how something as simple as crawling can unlock complex skills that support both body control and self-regulation.

We’re passionate about helping kids build these foundational skills, and we’re hiring pediatric OTs and PTs who share our vision for meaningful, movement-based therapy.

11/13/2025

🎨 Dot Markers in Occupational Therapy: More Than Just Art Time!

What looks like a simple coloring activity is actually a powerful fine motor and sensory exercise used in pediatric OT sessions.

When a child uses dot markers, they’re not just decorating a picture, they’re strengthening essential building blocks for school and daily life:

✨ Fine Motor Control: Each press helps develop the small hand and finger muscles needed for writing, buttoning, and feeding.
👀 Eye-Hand Coordination: Matching where the dot goes improves focus and accuracy.
🤝 Bilateral Coordination: One hand stabilizes the paper while the other dots, training the brain to use both sides together.
✋ Grasp Development: The vertical motion promotes hand strength and endurance for longer tasks.
💭 Sensory Regulation: The repetitive rhythm of dotting provides calming input, helping with attention and self-regulation.

This activity might look simple, but it builds the foundation for handwriting, dressing, and even self-confidence. Every “dot” counts toward growing a child’s independence.

We’re passionate about supporting kids through creative, meaningful movement, and we’re hiring compassionate pediatric OTs and PTs who share that mission!

11/12/2025

For kids with tactile sensitivity, light touch can actually feel painful, especially on the scalp. What might seem like a normal daily task to us can be overwhelming to their nervous system.

This happens because their brain interprets certain sensations (like brushing, washing, or haircuts) as a threat instead of neutral input. That overreaction can trigger crying, pulling away, or even meltdowns.

As occupational therapists, we look at why the sensation feels so intense and work on helping the body process it in a calmer, safer way. With gentle sensory strategies, like firm, predictable touch and deep pressure activities, we can help rewire how their brain experiences these sensations.

If brushing, grooming, or getting dressed often leads to tears or avoidance, it’s not about being “difficult.” It’s about sensory overload. And it can absolutely get better with the right support.

Have you noticed your child avoiding certain textures or daily routines because they feel “too much”?

11/10/2025

Sensory Red Flags: When to Seek OT Support for Your Child

Every child experiences the world through their senses, but for some, those sensations feel confusing, overwhelming, or even uncomfortable.

When a child’s sensory system has trouble organizing what it takes in (sounds, touch, movement, or visual input), it can impact everything from play to learning to behavior. That’s where occupational therapy comes in.

OTs help identify why your child reacts the way they do and support the nervous system in building stronger pathways for regulation, focus, and coordination.

Sensory red flags can look different for every child, but they all have one thing in common: the nervous system is working overtime to keep up. Recognizing these early helps kids get the support they need before frustration builds.

Have you noticed any of these signs in your child?

11/06/2025

How Retained Reflexes Can Lead to Clumsiness and Poor Coordination

If your child always seems “off balance” or bumps into things more than other kids, it might not be just a phase; it could be a sign of retained primitive reflexes.

These early reflexes help babies learn to move, roll, crawl, and eventually walk. But when they don’t fully integrate, the brain and body stay a little “out of sync,” making coordination and motor planning harder than they should be.

Children with retained reflexes may have to work extra hard to do things like catch a ball, ride a bike, or even sit upright in a chair. These are automatic for most kids, but for them, every movement takes conscious effort.

The good news? Reflex integration therapy can help. Through specific movement patterns, we can support the nervous system in organizing and coordinating movement more efficiently, helping kids feel more confident in their bodies.

Have you noticed your child seeming clumsy or uncoordinated? It could be their nervous system asking for extra support.

11/04/2025

Does your child have trouble copying from the board? Here’s why.

Copying from the board might look like a simple classroom task, but for many kids, it’s actually a complex motor and visual skill that takes a lot of coordination.

To copy accurately, the brain needs to process what the eyes see, plan how to move the hand, and remember where they left off, all while managing posture and attention. That’s a lot of work for developing systems.

Kids with visual-motor integration challenges often lose their place, write unevenly, or take extra time to finish. Their eyes and hands just aren’t communicating smoothly yet.

Here’s what can help:
👀 Strengthen eye tracking with games like “I Spy,” mazes, or ball play.
✋ Build fine motor control through drawing, tracing, and using tongs or clothespins.
🧠 Practice copying short patterns, words, or shapes before full sentences to build confidence.

Visual-motor integration isn’t just about handwriting; it’s about the brain learning to connect what it sees with what the body does. And when those connections strengthen, focus and confidence grow, too.

Have you noticed your child struggling to copy from the board or with handwriting speed?

11/03/2025

This activity is called the Head Control and Righting Reaction Exercise, a foundational part of sensory-motor and reflex integration therapy.

In these images, the child is lying on the mat while gently guided to lift and move their head separately from their body. This might look simple, but it’s deeply powerful for the nervous system.

Here’s what this activity works on:
🧠 Neck and core coordination: Teaching the brain how to move the head independently from the trunk strengthens postural control.
⚖️ Balance and righting reactions: These are the automatic responses that help us stay upright and stable when our body position changes.
👀 Vestibular system activation: Controlled head movement helps the brain interpret motion, balance, and spatial awareness, key for kids who dislike tilting their heads or have poor coordination.
💪 Reflex integration: When primitive reflexes like the Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex (TLR) remain active, kids may resist certain movements. Exercises like this help the nervous system mature and improve postural responses.

This type of play-based exercise helps a child feel more comfortable moving their head separately from their body, which is essential for daily activities like reading, climbing, and even sitting still in class.

We use sensory and reflex-based movement to help kids build the strong neurological foundations they need for balance, focus, and coordination.

And if you’re a pediatric OT or PT passionate about helping kids move, learn, and thrive, we’re hiring! Join our growing team.

10/30/2025

Did you know?
If your child chews on their shirt, pencil, or sleeve, it’s not about “bad habits” or defiance; it’s their body trying to find calm.

Kids who seek oral input often do so because chewing helps them regulate their nervous system. It can improve focus, reduce anxiety, and provide the deep proprioceptive input their body craves to feel grounded.

🧠 Chewing is one of the most organizing forms of sensory input. It can help kids who feel overstimulated slow down, and kids who feel under-stimulated wake up and engage.

Instead of trying to stop the behavior, try offering a safe alternative, like a chewable necklace, silicone pencil topper, or crunchy snacks. Meeting the need helps the child regulate and reduces the urge to chew on non-safe items.

Have you noticed your child chewing when they’re focused, anxious, or tired? It might be their way of saying, “I need to feel calm.”

10/28/2025

Why do some kids seem clumsy even after lots of practice?

Sometimes it’s not about effort or motivation, it’s about what’s happening beneath the surface.

When reflexes like the Asymmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex (ATNR) or Symmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex (STNR) remain active, they can disrupt smooth, automatic movement patterns. That’s why a child who’s bright and motivated might still trip often, avoid sports, or struggle with tasks like jumping, catching, or riding a bike.

Reflex integration therapy helps the body build new connections that support stability, timing, and motor coordination. Once those foundational reflexes calm, movement feels easier, and confidence follows.

We see this transformation every day: kids who go from feeling “clumsy” to moving with control and joy.

Have you ever noticed your child bumping into things or avoiding movement-based play? It might be more than just coordination; it could be their reflexes asking for support.

10/27/2025

This activity is called the BOSU Ball Animal Toss, and it’s a favorite in pediatric occupational therapy sessions. 🧠✨

Here’s what’s happening in these photos:
The child stands barefoot on a BOSU balance trainer, tossing small stuffed animals into a target. It may look playful, but it’s a full-body brain workout.

Here’s what this activity supports:
💪 Core strength & stability: Keeping balance on an unstable surface strengthens the core, which is key for posture and fine motor control.
⚖️ Balance & weight shifting: The BOSU challenges equilibrium, teaching the child’s body to make micro-adjustments for stability.
👀 Visual scanning & tracking: Watching and aiming for the target enhances eye-hand coordination and visual-motor skills.
✋ Grasp, release & motor planning: Picking up and tossing requires sequencing, timing, and coordination between both sides of the body.
🧠 Focus & sensory regulation: The multi-sensory challenge keeps the brain engaged while promoting body awareness and attention.

This is what functional play looks like; every movement supports stronger connections between body and mind.

We’re passionate about helping kids move, grow, and thrive through sensory-motor play.
✨ We’re also hiring pediatric OTs and PTs who share that same passion for helping children reach their full potential!

SMART Pediatrics

11/18/2025

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11/13/2025

11/13/2025

11/12/2025

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Monday	9am - 6pm
Tuesday	9am - 6pm
Wednesday	9am - 6pm
Thursday	9am - 6pm
Friday	9am - 6pm