Types of Pediatric OT Services
1. Early Intervention OT (Birth to 3 Years)
👶 For: Infants & toddlers with developmental delays or medical needs
🏡 Where: In-home or daycare visits through state-funded Early Intervention programs
📋 Focus Areas:
✔ Motor skills (crawling, grasping, walking)
✔ Sensory processing & regulation
✔ Feeding & self-care skills
✔ Parent coaching for home strategies
💡 How to Access: Contact the Early Intervention program for an evaluation. In Illinois, you can find more information here. You do not need to wait for your doctor to refer your child to EI— You can refer them yourself!
2. School-Based OT (Ages 3 and Up)
🎒 For: Children who need OT support to succeed in school
🏫 Where: Public schools through an IEP or 504 Plan
📋 Focus Areas:
✔ Handwriting & fine motor skills
✔ Sensory regulation for classroom participation
✔ Attention & executive functioning
✔ Self-care tasks like using zippers & opening lunch containers
💡 How to Access: Talk to your child's teacher or special education team about requesting an evaluation.
3. Outpatient & Clinic-Based OT
🏥 For: Children who need ongoing therapy for motor, sensory, or developmental challenges
📍 Where: Private clinics, therapy centers, or hospitals
📋 Focus Areas:
✔ Sensory integration therapy
✔ Strengthening motor coordination & balance
✔ Self-care & independence (dressing, feeding, hygiene)
✔ Social-emotional & self-regulation skills
💡 How to Access: Ask your pediatrician for a referral or contact a clinic directly. Some places accept insurance, while others may offer private pay options.
4. Community & Specialty OT Services
🌟 For: Children who need targeted therapy for specific challenges or in specific environments.
📍 Where: Sensory gyms, home-based and community-based services, feeding clinics, hippotherapy (horse therapy), aquatic OT, and more
📋 Focus Areas:
✔ Sensory play-based therapy for self-regulation
✔ Feeding programs for picky eaters or oral motor challenges
✔ Animal-assisted therapy for engagement & confidence
✔ Adaptive sports & recreation programs
💡 How to Access: Ask your pediatrician for a referral or contact a clinic directly. Some places accept insurance, while others may offer private pay options.
Local OT Providers in CU:
📍 Carle Outpatient Therapy
🔗Therapy Services: Physical, Occupational, & More | Carle.org
🏠 Address: 810 W. Anthony Dr. Urbana, IL
📞 Contact: 217-383-3400
📝 Provides clinic-based occupational therapy, physical therapy, and speech therapy.
📍 Developmental Services Center (DSC)
🔗Developmental Services Center
🏠 Address: 1304 W. Bradley Ave. Champaign, IL
📞 Contact: 217-356-9176
📝 Provides Early Intervention-based occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech therapy, and developmental therapy.
📍Ivy Rehab for Kids
🔗 Pediatric Therapy in Champaign, IL | Ivy Rehab
🏠 Address: 701 Devonshire Drive Ste D1 Champaign, IL
📞 Contact: 217-922-0090
📝 Provides clinic-based occupational therapy, physical therapy, and speech therapy.
📍 Learn Play Live OT
🔗 Learn Play Live OT
📞 Contact: 815-326-2337
📝 Provides in-home and community-based occupational therapy.
