INDIVIDUAL SERVICES
To ensure we can meet the needs of your child, we request that you schedule a call with our founder prior to an individual evaluation. Depending on your needs, she will match you with one of our exceptional team members.
FOUNDER, OWNER, OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST
Sarah McKinnon
Sarah McKinnon, OT, OTD, OTR, BCPR, MPA, FAOTA, FNAP is the founder of Southie OT, LLC. She has over 15 years of experience in numerous areas of occupational therapy. In addition to educating clients and their families, she also has experience educating future OT practitioners and those who already work in practice. She resides in South Boston with her husband and son, Will.
FAQs
What is Pediatric occupational therapy?
Occupational therapy (OT) helps children develop the skills they need for everyday activities like playing, learning, self-care, and socializing. OTs work on fine and gross motor skills, sensory processing, self-regulation, and independence in daily tasks.
What can I expect on our call?
We’ll listen to your concerns, ask questions about your observations and experiences, and provide you some ideas and resources for next steps. In some cases, we may recommend that we meet your child in-person for an initial evaluation.
Are your services covered by insurance?
We do not accept insurance and are private pay. If you wish to submit our services to your insurance provider, we recommend checking with your insurance provider before our sessions.
How do I know if my Child Needs Occupational Therapy?
If you have concerns, talk with your pediatrician or hope on a call with us. Common concerns we’re often hearing about include:
Struggles with fine motor tasks like writing, using utensils, or buttoning clothes
Has difficulty with gross motor skills like balance, coordination, or jumping
Is overly sensitive to sounds, textures, or movement (or seems to seek out intense sensory input)
Has trouble with self-regulation, such as frequent meltdowns or difficulty calming down
Shows delays in self-care skills like dressing, feeding, or using the bathroom independently
Has trouble paying attention or staying focused on tasks
Our Expertise
Developmental Milestones
It all begins with some education. We screen, observe, evaluate and recommend activities related to developmental milestones for children of all ages (really - ages 0-12). We use screening tools, standardized assessments, innovative education and treatment ideas to support you and your family.
Think: Everything from tummy time as a baby to handwriting and learning needs at school.
Sensory Styles and Preferences
Did you know that we all have sensory preferences? We add things to our environment that support us do what we love, or avoid things that may cause us to cringe (and that may cause tantrums!). Occupational therapists know how to assess sensory preferences and can provide recommendations for the activity or environment to be successful.
Think: Avoid tantrums getting dressed to reducing stimulation for learning at school.
Behavioral Health
Some children experience stress and anxiety, which can significantly impact their ability to engage in play, school, or community and team-based activities. We are able to identify triggers, modify the environment and provide suggestions for activity modifications (or appropriate activities in general) to support participation in meaningful kid stuff.
Think: Anxiety related to adverse childhood experiences to stress in test-taking or sports environments.
School-Readiness & Transitions
Prior to entering an academic environment, we often may want to know “Are they prepared?” or “What can I do to support them in a learning environment?” Sometimes transitions, structure, and the general cognitive demands of a learning environment can be challenging. We can help support skills for school-readiness including writing, typing, attending, transitioning, and guiding social skills development for appropriate peer interaction.
Think: Structure and skill development for preschool and kindergarten to executive functioning for middle schoolers.