Purposeful Play

04/26/2026

Academic Achievement Day at Bay Path College

04/20/2026

A new study published in Molecular Psychiatry reveals that the biological underpinnings of autism and ADHD may transcend traditional diagnostic boundaries.

04/17/2026

"Occupational therapy and play go hand in hand. There is a reason why you’ll often see kids playing as part of their OT sessions: Play is the primary job of children!

A family walks into an Occupational Therapy clinic for the first time. With a quick look around, the child notes swings, gym mats, ramps, balls, bins of toys, and shelves of bubbles, games, and toys. It looks more like a play room than a clinic. Even the school-based OT, with their suitcase on wheels has containers with toys, mini erasers in fun colors, balloons, small-scale games, and toys…in a school where it seems there is no time for play!

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY AND PLAY

There is a reason that pediatric Occupational Therapy centers on play. Play is the most essential occupations of childhood and it’s a natural medium for achieving goals and prompting kids to work toward goals that may seem lofty, unnatural, or hard.

Occupational Therapy goals are often included in pediatric OT interventions as the actions that come with play work to achieve the underlying areas needed for play as well as other areas of function."

Read more: https://www.theottoolbox.com/occupational-therapy-play/

04/14/2026

I’m honored to be selected to participate in Academic Achievement Day at Bay Path University. Grateful for the opportunity to share my work and continue meaningful conversations about supporting children with ADHD. 🩷

04/12/2026

Syrup stampede in support of Empty Arms Organization

04/12/2026

Today, Purposeful Play Therapy Center was honored to sponsor the Syrup Stampede in Northampton in support of the incredible Empty Arms Bereavement Support. 💛

This event was a beautiful reminder of the power of coming together — to honor, to remember, and to support families navigating unimaginable loss. We are deeply grateful to be part of a community that shows up with compassion, strength, and love.

At Purposeful Play, we believe in supporting the whole family and holding space for all emotions — joy, grief, and everything in between. Being able to give back in this way means so much to us.

If you’d like to learn more or support their mission, visit:

Empty Arms Bereavement Support serves individuals and families in Massachusetts and nationwide whose babies have died through miscarriage, stillbirth, early infant death, or termination for medical reasons. Whether you are looking for a support group, an individual connection, or online resources to...

04/08/2026

💪 Absolutely true!

Looking for simple ways to build hand strength through play? We've got you covered!

👇 Check out our favorite everyday activities that support strong, capable little hands:
https://theinspiredtreehouse.com/hand-strengthening-through-everyday-play/?utm_campaign=meetedgar&utm_medium=social&utm_source=meetedgar.com

✨ Bonus: Grab the FREE printable to share with families and colleagues!

Image credit via Earth Based Fun

04/02/2026

Recent research at Yale Child Study Center points to a new brain process that can inform treatment approaches for childhood disruptive behavior disorders.

04/02/2026

Happy . Occupational therapy empowers people to participate in the everyday activities that bring meaning, purpose, and independence to their lives.

We are celebrating the impact of occupational therapy and the professionals who help individuals and families around the world. Thank you to our OT practitioners! You are awesome.

04/26/2025

Prewriting lines are developmental: https://www.theottoolbox.com/free-download-developmental-progression/

04/26/2025

You can thank your executive function skills when you accomplish important things and reach new achievements in life!

Your executive function skills begin developing in infancy and become increasingly important in social and school settings in early childhood. Due to learning and life experiences, they continue to grow and change throughout your life.

Comment "EXECUTIVE FUNCTION" and we'll send our therapist-approved page all about executive function skills!

Remember: When you sign up (or sign in if you have an account) on our website with Baby's birthdate, you'll get personalized activities designed to support their development, including executive function skills!

04/23/2025

OT is OT, so why not just do it at school and make life easier, right? But here’s the scoop:

School-based OT is educationally driven.

It’s only provided if the child’s disability is impacting their ability to access or participate in their education. The OT’s job in this setting is to support function within the school environment, like:
• Holding a pencil to write
• Sensory supports
• Using scissors during class projects
• Organizing materials or managing transitions

It’s not about treating all developmental concerns—just the ones that interfere with educational access.

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Outpatient OT is medically based.

This focuses on overall development and function, not just how the child does at school. It covers:
• Sensory processing challenges at home and in the community
• Fine motor delays that may not affect schoolwork (yet)
• Feeding concerns, dressing, toileting, self-regulation, etc.

Even if a child doesn’t qualify for school OT (because their delays don’t impact school performance enough), they might still have real functional delays that need outpatient support.

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So why can’t school OT be used just for convenience?

Because it’s legally tied to educational necessity. It’s not meant to replace medical services, and schools aren’t allowed to provide therapy “just in case” or “to make life easier”—even if we wish they could!