Pediatric
Occupational Therapy

Learn. Play. Connect. Grow.

Nature-based & mobile therapy in the Pittsburgh area and virtual caregiver coaching nationwide

A unique, supportive approach that empowers you, the caregiver and center of your child’s growth, to build confidence as you help them eat, play, & grow in natural environments.

How We Help

Work with a licensed Pediatric Occupational Therapist to develop strategies for supporting your child with things like:

Getting ready for the day with dressing, bathing, & getting in the car
Reaching developmental milestones like rolling, crawling, & walking
Building fine motor skills for picking up foods and writing
Gaining confidence with peer interactions
Resilience in daily challenges & functional activities
Successful feedings from infancy through adolescence

How it Works

1. Schedule a Free Consult

Book a 15 minute phone call with a licensed Occupational Therapist to review your family’s goals and determine the best next steps

2. Have an Initial Evaluation

An in-depth family & child assessment where we’ll establish a baseline and develop a personalized plan centered around your family and what’s most important to you

3. Make Progress with Ongoing Sessions

Whether it’s in your home, in nature at a local park, or virtual coaching, our OTs will work with you and your child in their natural environments as we make progress toward your goals

4. Get Ongoing Support From Your OT

Stay in touch with your therapist with access to a private communication app for daily support between sessions

We're in this together

We are an “OT in your back pocket”, providing you with support between sessions, so you never feel alone on your journey.

You will have access to communicate with your therapist between sessions to share your wins, ask questions, and get tips for navigating challenges that arise in day to day life.

Our goal is to help you, the caregiver, build knowledge and gain confidence as you trial new strategies, knowing that you’ve got the support of your therapist at your fingertips.

Why am I involved in sessions?

Because it’s what happens outside of the therapy session that matters most. Being an active participant in your child’s therapy teaches you strategies and why they work, so you can carry them over at home–where your child spends most of their time.

At Functional Roots, on the other hand, we believe that your child will experience the most growth if you have the tools and strategies to confidently support them in their natural environments.

Why are "natural environments" so important?

We believe that in order for families to truly gain the real skills for kids and caregivers to be confident in making daily tasks easier and more enjoyable, the skills must be practiced in real settings–in their natural environments.

Here’s why:

In the home, community, and out in nature, we can assess your environment to help you make use of the tools at your fingertips and routines that you and your child engage with daily. We involve all caregivers and siblings into the routines because this is the reality of how functional skills will be practiced.

Home and nature have been the most beneficial environments for children to make the most growth in development, especially feeding skills. When looking to transfer skills over to everyday life, they need to actually be in those real settings to get the most practice of the overall feel – the sounds, the touch, the feel, the tools, etc.

This is why we meet you where you are. We work with the whole family to ensure we can allow you and your child to be confident and successful in daily activities. This approach allows you to not only make progress faster, but with tools that can help you be successful for the future.

In-home therapy makes sense, but why nature?

Nature acts as a co-therapist by naturally supporting regulation and improved mind and body health benefits while also providing forgiving natural challenges that are not simulated. From navigating uneven terrain and unexpected weather elements to working within a real community environment with distractions – you and your child will have opportunities to work on functional skills that are tested in real time with a skilled nature-based therapy expert.

Nature-based work is our thing! We feel it is essential for a holistic approach to health and wellness for all ages to learn the benefits of being outdoors, interacting with real things. Our team also runs nature-based group programs throughout the Pittsburgh area for families to grow together in the great outdoors. We make it fun and functional!

If you want to help your child grow into the best version of themself,
let's connect to see if we are the right fit for you.

"I worked with Jamie for parent coaching to help me navigate very tricky family dynamics with our 4 young children, one of whom has ADHD. Jamie's approach is thoughtful, personal and relevant, and, most importantly, collaborative. By teaching me how to see my child through a new lens (e.g. her sensory needs, how to help her learn to identify her own needs and develop strategies for regulating her body or getting along with others better), I've become a much more compassionate and supportive parent..."

Sarah

OT Client

FAQs

Do I need a doctor’s referral?

Direct occupational therapy and feeding therapy requires a referral from your child’s medical provider prior to the initial evaluation.

Do you accept insurance?

No, we work with the entire family and provide you with support beyond what a typical insurance-based OT session can offer. This allows us to fully support you and your child. We accept HSA/FSA plans and can provide a superbill as an out-of-network provider that you can submit to your health insurance for a chance to get reimbursed a portion of the session cost.

Do I have to stay with my child during nature-based sessions?

Our model firmly believes in the power of the caregiver role for the connection and growth of a child. It is required to be on site and active to work as a team to support your child.

Do I attend nature-based sessions in the rain and winter?

Yes! We embrace the various elements that nature provides and utilize this as a therapeutic process in your child’s growth. We will reschedule or change the location of service in the event of severe weather conditions.

Can my other children attend a session?

We fully embrace the participation of siblings in sessions whether it is home, nature, or virtual. This allows your child to practice skills closely to the dynamics of their home setting.

My child didn’t qualify for OT in EI/School/Outpatient. Can you still help us?

Absolutely! We started Functional Roots with the goal to bridge the gap where traditional options lacked ability to provide support to families with questions, concerns, and needs. We are not limited by specific standardized assessment requirements and insurance limitations. In addition to evidenced-based practice, we use skilled functional observations and detailed reflections and connections with caregivers to customize the experience to help your family thrive.

Are you a neuro-affirming practice?

We proudly continue our research and evidence-based practice to constantly learn and give you the best experience possible. We love open communication with our families and want you to feel heard and comfortable throughout your experience.

Will you communicate with my child’s other therapists?

We love working as a team – including working outside of our Functional Roots team and integrating within the community. We believe it takes a solid team to have the most fulfilling experience. We have multiple modes of communication with others – you are in control and can sign permissions for us to connect with anyone you wish.

PediatricOccupational Therapy