Group therapies focused on developmental milestones which are structured programs where children work together in small groups to develop age-appropriate skills across areas like motor development, communication, play, and social interaction. 

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🌱 What Are Developmental Milestones?

Developmental milestones are the key skills most children achieve by a certain age, such as:

• Gross motor (e.g., sitting, crawling, walking)

• Fine motor (e.g., grasping, drawing)

• Language and communication (e.g., babbling, first words, following directions)

• Social-emotional (e.g., taking turns, expressing needs)

• Cognitive/problem-solving (e.g., sorting shapes, using tools)

Delays in these areas can affect how a child engages with peers and their environment.

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👧🧒 What Happens in a Developmental Group Therapy Session?

Each session includes:

• Structured activities targeting specific skills (e.g., puzzles for fine motor, songs for language)

• Free play with adult-guided interaction to build social and emotional skills

• Movement-based games to support gross motor development

• Sensory play to help regulate arousal and attention

• Peer interaction to develop turn-taking, cooperation, and communication

We tailor the activities to match the developmental level of the group, providing just enough challenge to promote growth.

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✅ Who Benefits from These Groups?

• Children with developmental delays

• Children with autism spectrum disorder

• Children with speech-language or motor delays

• Those struggling with social skills or emotional regulation

These groups are especially effective for kids who benefit from routine, repetition, and social modeling.

 

Group therapies led by an Occupational Therapist (OT) can be incredibly beneficial for children, especially when targeting developmental, emotional, behavioral, or sensory needs. Here's a breakdown of why group therapy is important for kids from an OT perspective:

1. Builds Social Skills

• Group settings provide a safe space for kids to practice turn-taking, sharing, eye contact, and communication.

• Children learn how to navigate peer interactions, resolve conflicts, and develop friendships, all while being guided by a trained OT.

🧠 2. Encourages Emotional Regulation

• Kids often mirror each other’s behaviors, and OTs can use that dynamic to teach coping strategies and help children recognize and express their emotions appropriately.

• Group settings allow for real-time practice in managing feelings like frustration, anxiety, or excitement.

🛠️ 3. Enhances Functional and Life Skills

• Activities in group OT sessions are designed to work on fine motor skills, executive functioning, planning, and problem-solving, all within a collaborative environment.

• Group-based tasks encourage teamwork, leadership, and accountability.

🧩 4. Provides Peer Modeling

• Children can observe and learn from peers who may be slightly more advanced in certain areas. This peer modeling helps motivate growth and build confidence.

🌈 5. Creates a Sense of Belonging

• Kids with developmental or sensory challenges may feel isolated in typical settings. OT groups allow them to meet peers who face similar struggles, helping to normalize their experiences and boost self-esteem.

🎯 6. Goal-Oriented and Structured

• Sessions are professionally planned with specific therapeutic goals in mind, tailored to the developmental levels and needs of the group.

• OTs can observe how each child functions in a social context, allowing for more holistic assessments and interventions.