Pediatric Speech,
Occupational, and
Physical Therapy in
Fort Smith & Fayetteville, Arkansas

Your child should wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing and closed-toe shoes with socks for moving freely during exercises and activities. 

 We also recommend packing the following to help your child feel at ease:  

• Water and non-messy snacks
• Favorite scrunchie to put up long hair
• Comfort items, such as a stuffed animal or fidget toy
• Mini-reward for after sessions

 As for essentials, you will need to bring these items: 

• Insurance information
• Referral from pediatrician
• Previous therapy notes or progress reports
• Any specific items from home that your child’s therapist requested, such as glasses, mobility devices, or communication aids
• Notebook or other device for writing instructions, tips, or anything else mentioned during your child’s sessions

Our sessions generally last anywhere between 30 and 60 minutes.

We make sure your child has enough time to learn and practice new skills at their own pace, helping them feel supported — not rushed — as they strengthen their independence and confidence.

Yes! We want each child here in Arkansas, including yours, to have easy access to our services so they can thrive in life. These insurance providers are included in our network:

• Arkansas Medicaid
• Oklahoma SoonerCare
• Blue Cross Blue Shield
• Cigna
• QualChoice
• Ambetter

Additionally, we support PASSE coverage from Arkansas Total Care, Empower Healthcare Solutions, and Summit Community.

We can also provide you with information for medical assistance through the TEFRA program for children with disabilities.

 For customers without insurance at this time, we offer a sliding scale for paying out of pocket, accepting cash, checks, or major credit cards.

Yes, your child needs a referral from their pediatrician so we can work together as a team, mapping out the best treatment plan to meet their specific needs.

If you do not have a referral yet, no need to be concerned! We can connect you with a pediatrician we know and trust, speeding up the process for your child to receive the care they need.

On average, our therapists work with children one to two times per week over a year-long period — but this also depends on their unique needs, developmental goals, and amount of progress. Some children meet their goals quickly, while others do better with a gradual pace.

At the beginning of our time together, we will perform a detailed assessment to inform and personalize your child’s therapy plan. This will include the ideal frequency for sessions (which can be adjusted based on periodic assessments) to reach desired results.

Once we complete the first year, we will do a follow-up evaluation to see how much progress has been made and to determine whether or not another plan is necessary.

Occupational therapy is for children who find everyday tasks and activities difficult, such as getting dressed, writing, paying attention in school, tolerating food textures, and playing with others. This therapy option will teach your child how to strengthen fine motor skills, navigate sensory challenges, and complete daily tasks.

As for physical therapy, this solution is for children who experience physical challenges from medical conditions, injuries, or muscle tone. Your child will learn fun, child-friendly techniques to restore their strength, mobility, coordination, and balance.

If you are noticing a pattern where your child either avoids or seeks certain sensory experiences, we have some tips for you. To help them feel more in control of their life and at ease in their environment, here are a few healthy coping strategies to consider:

• For sensory-avoidant behavior, try experimenting with soft, tag-free clothing for feeling cozy, noise-canceling headphones for loud settings, sunglasses for bright lights, or calm spots at home for regulating and relaxing.
• For sensory-seeking tendencies, try introducing weighted blankets, loving hugs, plenty of playtime, and child-friendly chew toys.

Here at Little Hands at Play Therapy, we know that sensory-seeking and sensory-avoidant behavior are a child’s way of expressing discomfort and needs. Once your occupational therapist understands the reasoning behind a child’s actions, they can help the child learn any of the following regulation skills: 

• Tolerance development through non-overwhelming sensory integration activities
• Body awareness, balance, and movement control through exercises
• Emotional and behavioral regulation through fun strategies
• Daily comfort routines through personalized homework recommendations

While pediatric therapy is an effective solution to help your child grow their independence, this is not always a quick journey. It takes both commitment and patience to see results.

To ensure we reach your child’s therapy goals, we will craft a personalized plan — informed by their pediatrician’s notes, our detailed assessments, and your input — to achieve vital development and essential skills that empower your child to thrive in life.

Once the first treatment plan is completed, we will do another thorough assessment to evaluate your child’s progress and determine whether or not another plan is necessary.

Your child’s therapist will create and continually refine a program for home. This will include exercises and activities to practice key developmental skills, helping your child to blend these strategies into their everyday life.

Studies show that most children start tying their own shoes between the ages of 5 and 7.