Occupational Therapy
Occupational therapy is an evidence-based practice to address sensory issues and equip parents to manage their child’s behavior more successfully. Difficulties with sensory processing can explain why children with Autism may not like noise, being touched, or the feel of certain clothing. An occupational therapist works to develop skills for motor planning, gross motor, fine motor, handwriting, fine motor skills, visual motor skills, oral motor skills, and daily living skills.
Occupational Therapists (OTs) can provide sensory integration therapy, feeding therapy, handwriting, and more. OTs can create a sensory diet for families to follow at home once they have assessed and understand how the child is processing the environment.
Guided by the child’s interests, the therapist provides fun and motivating activities that aim to provide a “just-right challenge” so that the child will develop the underlying skills needed to effectively complete meaningful tasks. An occupational therapist may assist a child in developing mature grasp so they can hold a utensil to feed him or herself. A therapist may use sensory integration theory into treatment to assist the child in decreasing sensory-avoiding behaviors (like avoidance of brushing his or her teeth or hair), sensory sensitivities (such as sensitivities to certain fabrics or food textures), and sensory-seeking behaviors (like seeking movement input by constantly spinning, pacing, or rocking). Addressing such issues will help the child self-regulate so that he or she is able to function and learn at school.
When skill and strength cannot be developed or improved, occupational therapy offers creative modifications and adaptations for carrying out age-appropriate activities.
Local Resources
Casa Colina – The A. Gary Anderson Children’s Services Center
255 East Bonita Avenue, Pomona, CA
(909) 596-7733 x4200
www.casacolina.org
Offers occupational and physical therapy, private speech and language therapy, feeding therapy, early intervention classrooms, adaptive playground equipment that is wheelchair accessible and specialty doctors.
Carrico Pediatric Therapy
Desert Occupational Therapy
77564 Country Club Dr., Suite 401B, Palm Desert, CA
(760) 772-2838
https://desertotforkids.com/
A team of dedicated and passionate professionals that provide OT assessment and intervention to children with a variety of diagnoses, including: Autism spectrum disorder, developmental delay, sensory processing disorder, feeding dysfunction, Down syndrome, and congenital disorders.
Ensemble Therapy
1007 E. Cooley Dr., #107, Colton, CA
7470 Cherry Ave., #109, Fontana, CA
75100 Mediterranean Ave., Palm Desert, CA
(888) 439-4088
ensembletherapyservices.com
Ensemble Therapy offers a wide variety of therapy options for all ages; provides both in-person and virtual care, ensuring easy accessibility. Services include ABA therapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, mental health, and more. Our goal is to support meaningful participation, connection, regulation, communication, independence, and overall quality of life in ways that are respectful, individualized, and aligned with the needs of each child and family.
Hi Desert Physical Rehabilitation Group
56299 Twentynine Palms Highway, Yucca Valley, CA
5930 Adobe Road, Twentynine Palms, CA
(760) 367-1743
hdprg.com/pediatric/
Team members serve patients of all ages and specializes in occupational therapy. Also contracts with Morongo Unified School District to supplement its mandate to care for their students with special needs. Vendored with Inland Regional Center for children ages 0-3. Accepts all major health insurances and Tricare.
Hope Comprehensive Center for Development
41760 Ivy St #101, Murrieta, CA
(951) 595-4673
https://hopeccd.com/
Offers occupational therapy, speech therapy, social skills groups, and parent training. Takes a naturalistic and play-based approach to deliver a variety of therapies and services based upon the latest research and years of experience.
Horizon Therapy Services
8265 White Oak Ave., Rancho Cucamonga, CA
418 E Vanderbilt Way, San Bernardino, CA
(909) 373-1641
http://horizontherapyservices.com
Provides Physical and Occupational Therapy, along with Speech and Language Pathology services and feeding therapy.
Leaps & Bounds Pediatric Therapy
4211 Valley View Ave., Norco, CA
(951) 340-0431
leapsandboundspediatrictherapy.org
Provides physical, occupational, and speech services. Services include evaluation, consultation, treatment, home and school program activities that promote typical development and functional mobility. Offers a comprehensive family-centered approach to mulit-disciplinary care. Also offers the highly evidence-based treatment strategy- hippotherapy- as part of a comprehensive treatment plan, in addition to our recreational therapeutic riding program.
Littlefield Therapy
41421 Date Street, Suite 101, Murrieta, CA
1171 S. Sanderson Ave., Suite 104, Hemet, CA
(855) 454-3784
www.littlefieldpt.com
Offers occupational therapy, physical therapy and speech therapy. Through the utilization of highly skilled, evidence-based, compassionate, licensed therapists we aspire to facilitate the attainment of individual and family goals.
Loma Linda University Medical Center Outpatient Pediatric Rehabilitation
11406 Loma Linda Drive, Loma Linda, CA
(909) 558-6144
http://lomalindahealth.org/
Outpatient Rehabilitation offers physical therapy, occupational therapy, and/or speech and language pathology. Accepts Medi-Cal, many insurances, and private pay. A physician referral may be needed.
Moving Mountains Wellness
78080 Calle Estado, Suite 101, La Quinta, CA
(760) 701-5046
ptworksinc.com/pediatric-occupational-therapy-moving-mountains
Provides pediatric occupational and speech therapy. Therapists utilize everyday activities and exercises to help with barriers that may affect your child’s emotional, social, and physical needs.
Olive Tree Occupational Therapy
41865 Boardwalk Suite 121, Palm Desert, CA
(760) 972-7089
https://www.olivetreeot.com
Offers private pediatric occupational therapy evaluations and individualized one-to-one treatment sessions uniquely designed to support each client and help them reach their goals. Virtual Services Available.
Playworks Center for Development and Learning
112 11th Street, Redlands, CA
(909) 792-0543
www.playworks.cc
Playworks is a private practice of professionals providing assessment, intervention, and consultation to families of young children (infancy to early school age) with Autism spectrum disorders since 1996. Services include assessment, developmental intervention (DIR®/Floortime Model), occupational therapy, speech/language therapy, social skills groups, and consultation. Funding sources include health insurance, private pay, and school district contracts.
Rapha Physical Therapy
4959 Palo Verde Street, Suite 109C, Montclair, CA|(909) 971-3092
301 E Vanderbilt Way, Suite 100, San Bernardino, CA|(909) 567-2661
http://raphapt.com/
Provide a number of services including physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, services as well as specialized health education classes. Accepts many insurances including IEHP and Molina.
SENSEABILITIES
6800 Brockton Ave., Riverside, CA |(951) 779-1966
9106 Pulsar Court, Suite I, Corona, CA |(951) 603-3119
https://www.senseabilitiestherapygroup.com/
A full-service clinic offering speech therapy, language therapy, and occupational therapy including feeding services. They are able to target behavior management concerns within the therapeutic environment and outside consulting. AAC services (including evaluations/device placement) and social groups for a variety of ages.
The Children’s Clinic
18270 Siskiyou Road, Suite B, Apple Valley, CA
(760) 991-3020
www.tcclinic.net
The Children’s Clinic provides clinic-based ABA therapy, Occupational Therapy, and Speech Therapy in the High Desert area. Services are provided for those between 0-20 years of age. Bilingual staff available (Spanish). Only IEHP insurance is accepted for ABA therapy. Please call for further assistance.
Up & Movin’ Pediatric Physical Therapy
14114 Business Center Dr Ste E, Moreno Valley, CA
(951) 684-6500
www.upandmovintherapy.com
Besides offering physical, speech and occupational therapy, Social Skills Groups, Picky Eaters Class/Foodies Club, and Handwriting class. Accepts over 20 different insurances.
Autism Society Options Policy
This Resource Guide was developed to provide families and professionals with an opportunity to find resources related to Autism in the Inland Empire in one place.
All information provided or published by the Autism Society Inland Empire is for information purposes only. Specific treatment, therapy or services should be provided to an individual only at the direction of the individual’s doctor, caregiver, or other qualified professional. References to any treatment or therapy option, program, service, or treatment provider are not an endorsement by the Autism Society Inland Empire. References of treatments, therapies, programs, services, and/or providers are not intended to be comprehensive statements. You should investigate alternatives that may be more appropriate for a specific individual. The Autism Society Inland Empire assumes no responsibility for the use made of any information published or provided. The Autism Society Inland Empire provides information, but it does not constitute medical or legal information. Referrals provided are suggestions to organizations that might help, but do not constitute a recommendation. The Autism Society Inland Empire cannot be held responsible for consequences that arise from individual dealings with a professional or organization. The inclusion of any organization does not imply endorsement, and omission does not imply disapproval. The Autism Society Inland Empire may add or remove organizations from this list at its discretion.
