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Exciting News: Pediatric Physical Therapy Now Offered at Our Goldsboro Clinic!

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Pediatric Physical Therapy Now Available at Our Goldsboro Clinic

Carolina Therapy Connection is excited to bring Pediatric Physical Therapy to our Goldsboro clinic! This new addition allows families in the area to access specialized care designed to support the development of age-appropriate gross motor skills and recovery from injuries. Our dedicated physical therapist works with children of all ages, offering personalized care to help them reach their fullest potential. Pediatric Physical Therapy is essential for addressing physical challenges that can impact a child’s ability to move, play, and participate in everyday activities. From infants with developmental delays to older children with sports injuries, our services cater to a variety of needs, including torticollis, movement disorders, orthopedic conditions, genetic or neurological disorders, muscle imbalances, and poor coordination or motor planning.

How Can Physical Therapy Work with Infants and Younger Children?

For younger children, including infants and toddlers, physical therapy focuses on developmental milestones and early intervention. If your baby is not sitting, crawling, or walking on time or has been diagnosed with torticollis, physical therapy can provide targeted exercises to encourage proper muscle development and movement patterns. Additionally, we help children with developmental delays by enhancing their strength, balance, and coordination, ensuring they can actively explore their environment. Early intervention is critical in promoting physical and cognitive development during these formative years.

How Does Physical Therapy Benefit Older Children?

For older children, physical therapy supports recovery from sports-related injuries, orthopedic conditions, and other physical challenges. Our therapist works with young athletes to safely return them to play, stronger and more resilient than before. Therapy also addresses poor coordination and motor planning, helping children improve their ability to perform daily tasks and engage in activities they love. Children with genetic, brain, spine, or nerve disorders benefit from customized plans that focus on their unique needs, promoting functional mobility and independence. Whether it’s addressing muscle imbalances, recovering from an injury, or improving overall movement, we provide compassionate care to help older children thrive.

How Can Carolina Therapy Connection Help?

At Carolina Therapy Connection, we’re committed to helping every child succeed. Our Pediatric Physical Therapist is now seeing patients at our Goldsboro clinic and has immediate openings available. With no long waitlists, families can access care quickly and begin their child’s journey toward improved strength, mobility, and confidence. Contact us today to learn more or schedule an appointment—we’re here to help your child every step of the way!

Meet Anna, our Pediatric Physical Therapist in Goldsboro!

Anna is a licensed physical therapist who has experience working with kids of all ages. She believes in using play during therapy to help keep children engaged while working to meet their functional goals. Anna received her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from East Carolina University in the spring of 2024 and obtained her license shortly afterward. 

She offers a child-led approach to therapy, where she allows clients to play freely while simultaneously making the activities therapeutic to promote participation, build confidence, and address their deficits in order to make progress toward their therapy goals. She offers in-person sessions and is committed to helping clients and equipping their parents with the tools they need, so their child can advance their skills both in the home and during therapy sessions. 

For more information or to make an appointment, visit our website or call our office. We look forward to helping your child meet their gross motor milestones and improve their ability to interact with the world around them!

 

Top Toys for Christmas 2024: Gift Ideas that Spark Joy and Learning!

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Get ready for a holiday season filled with joy and excitement! 

Christmas is just around the corner, and that means it’s time to start thinking about the perfect toys for the little ones in your life. Toys aren’t just about fun; they’re a gateway to imagination, creativity, and developing skills. Toys play a powerful role in child development by enhancing a wide range of skills in fun and engaging ways. 

Cognitive Development Toys: Best Picks for Christmas that Boost Brainpower

Puzzles, building blocks, and educational games help kids practice problem-solving, spatial awareness, and logical thinking. Toys that encourage sorting, matching, or memory exercises also boost cognitive abilities.

 

Toys for Fine and Gross Motor Skills: Top Christmas Gifts for Active Play

Toys that involve grasping, stacking, and balancing—like blocks, action figures, and ride-ons—help improve fine and gross motor skills. These activities strengthen muscle control, coordination, and agility.

 

Best Social and Emotional Development Toys for Christmas 2024

Toys that encourage sharing, turn-taking, or role-play—such as dolls, board games, and pretend-play sets—allow kids to practice empathy, teamwork, and communication. These experiences are essential for social and emotional development.

 

Toys to Foster Language and Communication Skills This Christmas

Reading toys, storytelling sets, and interactive games with audio components help expand vocabulary and encourage communication. Toys that prompt children to describe, ask questions, or follow instructions further support language development.

 

Top Toys for Creativity and Imagination: Christmas Gifts for Young Innovators

Open-ended toys, like art supplies, dress-up costumes, and pretend-play sets, allow kids to explore their imaginations freely. This fosters creativity, self-expression, and cognitive flexibility, all of which are essential for innovative thinking.

 

Emotional Development Toys: Christmas Ideas for Nurturing Empathy and Self-Expression

Through imaginative play, children process emotions, practice self-regulation, and learn to empathize with others. Toys that mimic real-life scenarios, such as dolls or play kitchens, provide a safe space for emotional expression and exploration.

 

Your Ultimate Guide to the Best Christmas Toys for Every Age and Interest

Bring joy to your holiday season with toys kids will love! From educational building sets to group game boards and sensory fidgets, our toy recommendation has something special for every age and interest. 

 

How Can Carolina Therapy Help?

At Carolina Therapy, we’re here to make your holiday shopping easier with an amazing list of toys and games recommended by our experienced therapists. Our team has carefully curated options for all ages, designed to support development, encourage creativity, and bring endless joy to playtime. Check out our Amazon storefront to find the best toys for this Christmas season—each chosen to help children grow, learn, and thrive!

 

What’s in Your Sensory Bins!

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What is a Sensory Bin?

A sensory bin contains various mediums to provide sensory input via tactile, auditory, and visual stimuli. As an Occupational Therapy Assistant, I treat kiddos who are defensive to sensory input. This can affect feeding, tolerating clothing, tolerating self-care like hair brushing or tooth brushing, and the various textures or sensory inputs we encounter daily. A sensory bin can provide the necessary sensory input to improve attention to tasks, decrease tactile defensiveness, improve tolerance for self-care, improve emotional regulation skills, improve communication skills, and assist with the development of social skills. 

Choosing the Right Container: 

A plastic clear container is ideal because you can see what’s inside and is easy to clean when you are ready to switch out your mediums. You can also use baskets, trays, bowls, etc.

Filling Options: 

  • Base materials: Rice, sand, kinetic sand, dried beans, shredded paper. You can also use edible items such as crushed crackers/cookies, noodles, quinoa, etc, for kiddos who put things in their mouths regularly.
  • Textures: Soft fabric, smooth stones, fluffy cotton balls, feathers, ribbons, or squishy foam. 
  • Colors: Use colored rice or dyed pasta for visual stimulation. Themed Sensory Boxes: 
  • Themes like nature, ocean, outer space, Easter/Spring, or seasons can give great ideas when unsure what to put together. 
    • For example, an ocean theme could include crushed crackers for sand, blue jello for water, and sea animal toys. 
    • Another example is a nature theme, including various leaves, sticks, rocks/stones, animal or insect toys, dirt or crushed Oreos, and gummy worms!
    • Just one more example: Spring could include wildflowers (real or pretend), toy birds/chicks, chickpeas, cotton balls, feathers, etc. 

Incorporating Scents: 

  • Explore scented elements to enhance the sensory experience.
  • Consider items like scented playdough, essential oils, food items, or dried herbs. 

Incorporating Tastes: 

  • If you have a kiddo who is working on trialing new foods/food textures, you can make your sensory bin ALL FOOD items! This allows your child to work on expanding their food repertoire while decreasing the fear associated with trying new foods at mealtimes. 

Sensory Box Safety Tips: 

  • Consider age-appropriate items and avoid small parts that could be a choking hazard. 
  • Remember, when using food/wet items, to change them out regularly to prevent mold/mildew buildup. 
  • AVOID ORBEEZ, please! They are not safe and could cause damage to the internal organs if consumed! 

Have Your Child Assist: 

  • Having your child assist with making the sensory box can be a great way to build communication skills, improve the development of social skills, and decrease fear regarding textures. 
  • Oftentimes, children who are defensive to textures can become very upset or fearful when presented with a new medium. However, if the child can see where the medium comes from, it could decrease the fear significantly! This is also a good opportunity to have your child touch different textures! 

How can Carolina Therapy Connection help? 

  • Ask your child’s therapist about sensory bin ideas used here in the clinic.
  •  Pinterest has great ideas as well!

By: Shelby Godwin, COTA

The Best Chores for Kids by Age: Recommendations from a Pediatric Occupational Therapist

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Chores can be essential to a child’s development, helping them build responsibility, independence, and various motor skills. Pediatric occupational therapists often recommend specific chores based on a child’s age to optimize their development and ensure appropriate and manageable tasks. Here’s a guide on the best chores for kids by age, highlighting how these activities can benefit their growth.

Ages 2-3: Building Basic Skills

Chores:

– Picking Up Toys: Encourages organization and fine motor skills.

– Wiping Spills: Helps with motor coordination and understanding cause and effect.

-Putting Clothes in Hamper: Teaches responsibility and hand-eye coordination.

Benefits:

– Motor Skills: These chores enhance fine and gross motor skills through simple movements.

– Cognitive Development: Understanding instructions and following through improves cognitive abilities.

– Responsibility: Starting with simple tasks helps instill a sense of duty and accomplishment.

Ages 4-5: Enhancing Coordination and Responsibility

Chores:

– Setting the Table: Develops sequencing skills and hand-eye coordination.

– Feeding Pets: Teaches empathy, responsibility, and routine.

– Watering Plants: Enhances motor skills and an understanding of plant care.

Benefits:

– Coordination: Tasks that involve multiple steps improve coordination and planning.

– Responsibility: Regular chores like feeding pets build a routine and sense of duty.

– Cognitive Skills: Following more complex instructions aids cognitive development.

 

Ages 6-7: Introducing Independence

Chores:

– Making the Bed: Encourages independence and fine motor skills.

– Sorting Laundry: Teaches categorization and organization.

– Clearing the Table: Develops responsibility and an understanding of teamwork.

Benefits:

– Independence: These chores promote self-reliance and the ability to complete tasks without assistance.

– Organizational Skills: Sorting laundry and clearing the table enhance organizational abilities.

– Motor Skills: Making the bed involves coordination and fine motor skills.

 

Ages 8-10: Building Competence and Confidence

Chores:

– Vacuuming: Enhances gross motor skills and a sense of thoroughness.

– Taking Out the Trash: Teaches responsibility and the importance of cleanliness.

– Folding Laundry: Develops fine motor skills and attention to detail.

Benefits:

-Competence: Successfully completing more complex chores builds competence and confidence.

– Responsibility: Regular tasks like taking out the trash teach the importance of contributing to household upkeep.

– Motor Skills: Folding laundry and vacuuming involve both fine and gross motor skills.

 

Ages 11-13: Encouraging Independence and Time Management

Chores:

– Cooking Simple Meals: Teaches life skills, safety, and time management.

– Mowing the Lawn: Enhances gross motor skills and responsibility.

– Cleaning Bathrooms: Develops an understanding of hygiene and thoroughness.

Benefits:

– Life Skills: Cooking and other complex chores prepare kids for future independence.

– Time Management: Balancing chores with other activities helps develop time management skills.

– Responsibility: Taking on significant chores like cleaning bathrooms fosters a deeper sense of responsibility.

 

Ages 14-17: Preparing for Adulthood

Chores:

– Managing Finances: Teaches budgeting, saving, and financial responsibility.

– Grocery Shopping: Develops planning skills and an understanding of nutrition.

-Maintaining Vehicles: Teaches practical skills and the importance of upkeep.

Benefits:

– Adulting Skills: These chores prepare teens for adult responsibilities and independence.

– Financial Literacy: Managing finances instills essential budgeting and saving habits.

– Practical Skills: Tasks like vehicle maintenance provide practical knowledge useful in adulthood.

 

How can Carolina Therapy Connection help?

Incorporating age-appropriate chores into your child’s routine can significantly aid their development. Pediatric occupational therapists emphasize the importance of tailoring tasks to a child’s age and capabilities to foster motor skills, cognitive development, and a sense of responsibility. As children grow, their chores should evolve to challenge them appropriately and prepare them for future independence. Encouraging kids to participate in household chores not only helps them develop crucial life skills but also fosters a sense of accomplishment and confidence.

 

 

Handwriting Ideas to Take Homework from Boring to FUN! 

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Teaching kids handwriting is an essential skill that sets them up for success in school and beyond.

Here are some tips to make handwriting practice fun and effective for children: 

Start with the Basics:

  • Begin by teaching them how to hold a pencil properly. Make sure they grip it comfortably but firmly. 
  • Use Large Lines: Provide paper with large lines to help them understand the proportions of letters. You can find special handwritten papers with guidelines specifically for this purpose. 
  • Practice Letter Formation: Start with uppercase letters and then move on to lowercase. Demonstrate how each letter is formed and encourage them to mimic your movements. 
  • Repetition: Handwriting improves with practice. Encourage kids to practice writing letters and words regularly. You can make it more engaging by turning it into a game or challenge. 
  • Use Multisensory Approaches: Incorporate different senses into handwriting practice. For example, tracing letters in sand or shaving cream can provide tactile feedback that reinforces learning. 
  • Provide Positive Feedback: Praise their efforts and progress. Positive reinforcement can boost their confidence and motivation to continue practicing. 
  • Set Realistic Goals: Set achievable goals for improvement and celebrate their milestones along the way. 
  • Be Patient: Remember that learning handwriting takes time and patience. Encourage persistence and provide support when they feel frustrated. 

Making handwriting practice fun for kids can encourage them to engage with the activity more eagerly when writing isn’t so easy. Here are some creative and fun ideas to make handwriting more fun: 

  • Write with Different Materials: Encourage kids to write on a chalkboard with different materials, such as colored pencils, gel pens, markers, or chalk. 
  • Rainbow Writing: Have kids trace over letters or words multiple times using different colored pencils or markers.
  • Letter Hunt: Create a scavenger hunt where kids search for letters in books, magazines, or around the house. Once they find a letter, they can write it down! 
  • Write a Story: Encourage kids to write a short story or a letter to a friend or family member. 
  • Write on Unconventional Surfaces: Let kids write on unconventional surfaces such as a large whiteboard, a window with washable markers, or even with their fingers in sand or shaving cream. 
  • Handwriting Games: Incorporate games into handwriting practice, such as Hangman, Tic-Tac-Toe, or Bingo, using words or letters. 
  • Decorate Letters: After writing a letter or word, encourage kids to decorate it with doodles, stickers, or drawings related to the word. 
  • Write Secret Messages: Have kids write secret messages to each other using a white crayon on white paper. When they’re done writing, they can reveal the messages by painting over it with watercolors. 
  • Create Handwriting Challenges: Set up fun handwriting challenges such as writing the alphabet backward, writing with their non-dominant hand, or writing as neatly and as quickly as possible. 

How can Carolina Therapy Connection help with kids’ handwriting skills?

If your kiddo is having difficulty with handwriting, an Occupational Therapist at CTC can help! Whether it be because your kiddo doesn’t attend well due to finding handwriting boring, finds difficulty with the visual perceptual and visual motor skills necessary to orient and place the words on the line, or because of decreased strength making it hard to apply the right amount of pressure, an Occupational Therapist can determine strategies to make it easier for your child to enjoy handwriting! 

By: Shelby Godwin, COTA/L, AC

 

Let’s PLAY!

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Why is Play Development Important for Children? 

An essential component of a child’s learning is through play. Play builds the foundation of teaching children how to communicate with others, solve problems, and develop new motor skills. Play often involves spending much time on the floor being silly, making animal noises, or acting out your child’s favorite nursery rhyme songs. Play appears too fun to be therapeutic in speech therapy sessions, right? However, that’s when the magic truly happens! Understanding why and play development for children’s communication skills is helpful.

 

Different Types of Play Development for Children’s Communication Skills:

  • Functional Play

    • Begins before two years old. It is the most common play among infants, toddlers, and young children. Functional play is when toys or objects are used according to their intended function, such as rolling a ball, pushing a car on the floor, banging blocks, etc. 

  • Relational Play

    • Also, it can begin before two years old. Children who engage in relational play often use (manipulate) items to discover how they relate to one another. Examples of relational play include feeding a teddy bear, stacking blocks, or grouping objects. 

  • Self-Directed Play

    • Begins before two years old as well. Self-directed play is when children use toys or objects toward themselves. They determine and control the content and intent of their play by following their own ideas and interests. Toys or objects offered to children are simple and can be play-doh, crafts, pretend food/clothes, etc. 

  • Parallel Play

    • Begins around 2 to 3 years old. This play involves children independently playing with the same toys/objects next to each other. However, they are being very observant. At this point, the child is more aware of their presence around others. The child has increased interest and acknowledges that the other person is playing similarly to them. Most often, they will begin to imitate based on peer modeling. Thai type of play can be seen when two children are playing with their own farm animals, making animal sounds but not interacting.

Now That We Know Play Development, How Do We Help Children Improve Their Communication Skills at Home?

  • Set up your environment so that the child can better focus   
  • Engaging and joining in on the child’s interests
  • Follow the child’s lead
  • Gradually introducing new toys and sensory experiences
    •  Some children need exposure to a new toy over time before initiating a purposeful interaction on their own 🙂
  • Modeling how to play with the toy and gradually fading support  
  • Providing rewards with successful attempts at play
  • Encouraging the child to imitate sounds and words (e.g., go, uh-oh, neigh, etc.)
  • Ask open-ended questions like “What should we make?” “Where should this go?” “What should we feed the dog?” by using toys such as animals, blocks, and/or cars.
  • Incorporating play based on various contexts (e.g., Play with a sibling and/or peer) 

Activities to Try at Home:

  • Bubbles
  • Cars, trains
  • Books
  • Blocks, Legos, or Nesting Eggs
  • Baby doll/dollhouse 
  • Magnetic Tiles  
  • Ball
  • Singing nursery rhyme songs 
  • Farm set / Kitchen set 
  • Potato Head
  • And MUCH MORE 🙂 

“Play is our brain’s favorite way of learning,” said Diane Ackerman.

How can Carolina Therapy Connection Help?

Further questions or concerns regarding play development for children’s communication skills? A Speech-Language Pathologist can support your child and provide parent education/training to best support your child’s communication development. Play in speech therapy increases the child’s motivation, increases communication opportunities, strengthens the development of other developmental skills, and more! 

 

Celebrating Excellence: Our Pediatric Therapy Company Named Best Employers of NC for 2023 and 2024!

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We are thrilled to announce that our pediatric therapy company has been recognized as one of the Best Employers of North Carolina for 2023 and 2024 by Business North Carolina! This incredible achievement is a testament to the dedication, passion, and hard work of our entire team, and it highlights our commitment to providing exceptional care and services to the children and families in our community.

 

A Commitment to Excellence in Pediatric Therapy

Over the past 14 years, our organization has specialized in a comprehensive range of pediatric therapy services, including occupational therapy, speech therapy, physical therapy, mental wellness and counseling, and educational services. We have recently expanded to include services for adults in the past year and a half.  Our multidisciplinary approach ensures that each child receives individualized care tailored to their unique needs, fostering their development and helping them reach their full potential.

 

  • Occupational Therapy: Our skilled occupational therapists help children develop the skills they need for daily living and academic success, focusing on fine motor skills, sensory processing, and more.

 

  • Speech Therapy: Our speech-language pathologists work with children to improve their communication skills, addressing challenges related to speech, language, and social communication.

 

  • Physical Therapy: Our physical therapists are dedicated to enhancing children’s mobility, strength, development, and coordination, enabling them to participate fully in everyday activities.

 

  • Mental Wellness and Counseling: We provide a supportive environment for children and adults to explore their emotions, develop coping strategies, and improve their mental health and well-being.

 

  • Educational Services: Our educational specialists offer academic testing and tutoring support for children with learning differences, helping them thrive academically.

 

Serving Eastern North Carolina with Dedication and Care

With multiple locations around Eastern North Carolina, our clinic is committed to making our services accessible to families throughout the region. We also have several virtual speech-language pathologists who can serve children across all of North Carolina. We understand the importance of providing high-quality care close to home, and our convenient locations ensure that children and families can receive the support they need without extensive travel.

 

Recognized as a Top Employer

Being named one of the Best Employers of North Carolina for two consecutive years is an honor that reflects our dedication to creating a positive and supportive work environment for our staff. We believe that happy, fulfilled employees are the foundation of excellent patient care. Our team members are passionate about their work and committed to making a difference in the lives of the children and families we serve.

 

The survey conducted by DataJoe for Business North Carolina covered essential workplace topics, including organizational health, leadership, engagement, work-life balance, pay, training, benefits, and corporate social responsibility.

 

Looking to the Future

As we celebrate this achievement, we remain focused on our mission to provide the highest quality pediatric therapy services in Eastern North Carolina. We are continually exploring new ways to enhance our programs, support our staff, and expand our reach to better serve our community.

Thank you to our incredible team, our wonderful patients and families, and everyone who has supported us on this journey. We look forward to continuing to provide exceptional care and to being a part of your child’s growth and development for many years to come!

Visit our website or contact us today to learn more about our services and how we can support you and your child’s needs. Together, we can help every child reach their full potential!

 

 

 

https://businessnc.com/topping-the-list-of-north-carolinas-best-employers-2024/

 

Zones of Regulation

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What are the Zones of Regulation?

The Zones of Regulation is a curriculum that your child’s therapist may use to help your child develop self-regulation skills. Self-regulation is “the ability to achieve the preferred state of alertness for the given situation.” Other terms often interchanged for self-regulation include self-control, impulse control, and self-management. The curriculum focuses on lessons and activities to help the child identify their different “Zones” and strategies to increase self-regulation. Additionally, your child will be able to increase their understanding of emotions and coping skills. 

The Zones: Self-Regulation

“The Zones of Regulation creates a system to categorize how the body feels and emotions into four colored Zones with which the students can easily identify.” 

There are four zones within the Zones of Regulation

  • Blue Zone
  • Green Zone
  • Yellow Zone
  • Red Zone

The Blue Zone is a state of low alertness. Feelings can include sad, tired, sick, or bored. 

 

The Green Zone is a state of ideal alertness. This includes feeling calm, happy, or focused.

 

The Yellow Zone is a state of heightened alertness. Feelings can include frustration, worry, excitement, silliness, or fear. 

 

The Red Zone is a state of extremely heightened alertness. This includes anger, rage, extreme fear, and explosive behavior. 

 

How are the Zones used?

Your child’s therapist will work with them to identify which Zone they are in and strategies to help them self-regulate within each Zone. They will work together to develop a “toolbox” with strategies and techniques for obtaining optimal alertness in everyday situations. It is important to understand that no zone is “bad,” and all are expected from time to time. Instead, the intention is to help your child identify tools and coping strategies to self-regulate within each Zone. 

 

What can Carolina Therapy Connection help?

For the Zones of Regulation to work as intended, home carryover is super important. Strategies include using the same language and talking about the Zones within the home and community environments. Applying strategies to yourself can also increase carryover. For example, you may say, “This is super frustrating, and I am starting to go into the Yellow Zone. Maybe I will take some deep breaths.” Additionally, validate the zone that the child is in and help them implement the strategies and tools to self-regulate. Your child’s therapist can share the language and strategies used with the Zones of Regulation to increase carryover at home. 

 

By: Carolina Zissette, OT

 

Nurturing Mental Wellness in Children: The Vital Role of Pediatric Therapy

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In today’s fast-paced world, children face many challenges that can impact their mental well-being. From academic pressures to social dynamics, the stressors they encounter can take a toll on their emotional health. As parents and caregivers, it’s essential to recognize the signs of mental distress in children and provide them with the necessary support to thrive.

At Carolina Therapy Connection, we understand the importance of nurturing childhood mental wellness from an early age. Our comprehensive counseling services are designed to address various issues, empowering children to develop coping mechanisms and build resilience for life’s challenges.

Understanding Childhood Mental Wellness

Childhood is a crucial period for mental development. It’s a time when children form their perceptions of the world and learn how to navigate their emotions. However, factors such as family dynamics, peer relationships, academic pressures, and societal expectations can influence their mental health.

As children grow and develop, they may encounter difficulties that affect their emotional well-being. These challenges can manifest in various ways, including:

  1. Behavioral Changes
  2. Sudden changes in behavior, such as increased irritability, withdrawal, or aggression, may indicate underlying emotional struggles.
  3. Academic Decline
  4. Difficulty concentrating, declining academic performance, or reluctance to attend school could be signs of anxiety or other mental health issues.
  5. Physical Symptoms
  6. Headaches, stomachaches, and other physical complaints without underlying medical causes may be linked to stress or emotional distress.

Recognizing these signs early on is crucial for addressing children’s mental health needs and preventing further complications.

The Role of Pediatric Therapy in Promoting Mental Wellness

Pediatric therapy plays a vital role in supporting children’s mental wellness. Our team of skilled therapy providers specializes in working with children and adolescents, providing a safe and nurturing environment for them to express their thoughts and feelings.

Through evidence-based therapeutic techniques tailored to each child’s unique needs, we help them:

  1. Develop Coping Skills
  2. Children learn healthy coping mechanisms to manage stress, anxiety, and other emotional challenges.
  3. Build Resilience
  4. Children develop resilience to bounce back from setbacks and adversities by fostering a sense of self-esteem and self-efficacy.
  5. Improve Communication
  6. Effective communication is key to expressing emotions and resolving conflicts. Our therapists help children improve their communication skills, both verbally and non-verbally.
  7. Strengthen Relationships

Healthy relationships are fundamental to children’s well-being. We work with families to improve communication and strengthen familial bonds.

Promoting Childhood Mental Wellness for a Brighter Future

At Carolina Therapy Connection, we believe every child deserves the opportunity to thrive emotionally and socially. Promoting mental wellness from an early age lays the foundation for healthier, happier futures.

If you’re concerned about your child’s emotional well-being or want to learn more about our counseling services, we’re here to help. Contact us today to schedule a consultation with one of our experienced pediatric therapists.

Together, we can empower children to overcome obstacles, embrace their strengths, and live fulfilling lives. Let’s work together to nurture their mental wellness and unlock their full potential.

 

Why Is My Child Picky About Clothing?

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Is your child picky about clothing? It is common for children to have a favorite shirt, blanket, or pants, but what if they refuse to wear anything besides their one outfit of choice? In the pediatric world of occupational therapy, we often work with children who cannot tolerate wearing various clothing items. We have seen the stress of dressing tasks for children and their caregivers. The intended purpose of this blog is to educate parents on why a child may be sensitive to clothing and point caregivers in the right direction to address these concerns.

Why is My Child Picky About Their Clothing?

Every child processes sensory information differently. Children who demonstrate intolerance to various clothing textures may often have sensory sensitivities to tactile (touch) information, also known as tactile defensiveness. This indicates that the neurons responsible for processing tactile information have lower neurological thresholds, meaning more sensory information reaches their brain quicker, which can cause children to become overwhelmed by the stimulus. This results in heightened responses (ex., Crying, screaming, itching) when a child is prompted to wear clothing that feels uncomfortable to them. Another underlying reason for tactile sensitivities can be connected to retained primitive reflexes. Retained primitive reflexes often contribute to a child’s hypersensitivity to general sensory information and can make clothing items with tags or tight waistbands challenging to wear. 

When Should I Be Concerned About My Child’s Intolerance for Clothing?

It can be hard to discern when a child’s intolerance to clothing is a behavioral or sensory concern. A child who doesn’t “like” to wear a particular clothing item or texture is very different from a child who physically cannot tolerate certain textures. True sensory concerns will present with consistent behaviors across settings. For example, a child with true tactile defensiveness will have difficulty wearing a non-preferred clothing item at home or daycare. Additionally, consulting a professional is not customarily warranted if their limited clothing items do not impact a child’s performance and participation in meaningful activities. However, if a child’s clothing sensitivities are impacting their meaningful activities, then it may be beneficial to talk with a pediatric occupational therapist to determine what options or strategies are appropriate. An example could be a child who wants to play soccer but cannot tolerate wearing soccer cleats or sneakers and, therefore, refuses to play. Another example would be a child or adolescent who refuses to wear clothing to match the temperature outside, such as refusing to wear gloves or mittens in the middle of winter.

Strategies to Expand A Child’s Wardrobe

  • Keep a diary/log:
    • Children will normally demonstrate a pattern of behaviors to show caregivers what types of clothing are uncomfortable. It will be essential to keep a log of what items/fabrics are preferred to limit the child’s discomfort when presented with new clothing items to try on. 
  • Present sensory-friendly clothing:
    • There are common characteristics of clothing that can be aversive to children with tactile defensiveness. For these reasons, we have provided a list of clothing items that are often more tolerable for sensory-sensitive children:
      • Clothing without seams
      • Clothing without tags
      • Loose fitting clothing
      • Soft/smooth fabric
      • Breathable clothing: avoid clothing that holds moisture
  • Invite them into the process:
    • Providing the child with autonomy in choosing their clothing will help remove feelings of stress that surround dressing activities. One way to do this is to take them shopping and ask them what clothing they want. Depending on the child’s comfort level, it can also be beneficial to have them choose a variety of clothing to try on and have a “fashion show” in the dressing room.

 

What Other Concerns Can arise with Children Being Picky About Clothing, and How Can Carolina Therapy Connection Help?

Tactile defensiveness does not only impact a child’s ability to tolerate various clothing items. Typical areas of difficulty for tactilely defensive children include, but are not limited to, difficulty with hair brushing/washing, hair cuts, tooth brushing, nail clipping, and bathing. If your child has difficulty tolerating any of the above activities, then it may be beneficial to meet with a pediatric occupational therapist to discuss the best care plan for the child. Call our clinic at (252) 341-9944! Your child may benefit from an occupational therapy screening or formal evaluation!

 

By: Emily Britt