Pediatric Occupational Therapy in St. Petersburg, FL
Helping your child feel calm, capable, and confident in everyday life.
Specialized care for sensory processing, self-regulation, fine motor skills, and ADHD support. Serving St. Petersburg and the greater Tampa Bay area.
Were you referred by a pediatrician, teacher, or another provider?
Plenty of our OT families come to us this way. Bring any notes, evaluations, IEPs, or reports from the referring provider, teacher, or school to your first appointment, and we’ll take it from there.
Signs Your Child May Benefit from Occupational Therapy
Maybe your child…
- Has big meltdowns over sounds, clothes, textures, or transitions
- Struggles with daily routines like getting dressed, brushing teeth, or going to bed
- Has trouble focusing, sitting still, or following multi-step directions
- Avoids messy play, certain foods, or busy environments
- Finds handwriting, scissors, buttons, or utensils harder than expected
- Seems easily overwhelmed, always on the go, or both
- Has been told they may have sensory processing differences, ADHD, or anxiety
Your child shouldn’t have to work harder than other kids just to do the things childhood is built around like running to the playground, climbing into the car, keeping up with a sibling.
And during the few free moments you have to yourself you start to wonder...
What if this is more than just a phase?
What if they keep falling behind at school?
What if I’m missing something I should be doing?
What if these patterns make life harder as they grow?
Your child isn't giving you a hard time. They're having a hard time. What looks like behavior is often a nervous system working harder than it should and when we help that system regulate, the daily struggles usually start to ease.
A Whole-Child Approach to PediatricOccupational Therapy in Tampa Bay
We know how exhausting it is to wonder whether you’re being too sensitive or not concerned enough. Most of the families we work with have spent months going back and forth on that exact question. After eight years working with families in St. Petersburg, Gulfport, Clearwater, and across Pinellas County, our occupational therapists take a whole-child approach: child-led, play-based, and built around the real environments your child lives in every day. We help children with:
- Sensory processing differences, over- or under-responsiveness
- Self-regulation, emotional control, and big-feeling moments
- ADHD-related focus, attention, and impulsivity challenges
- Fine motor skills — handwriting, scissors, buttons, utensils
- Visual motor and school readiness skills
- Daily living and self-help — dressing, brushing teeth, toileting
- Social participation and play skills
- Transitions, sleep routines, and morning or bedtime struggles
Therapy happens where your child actually lives and learns — in our St. Petersburg clinic, in your home, at school or daycare, or out in the community. Because we're not bound by rigid insurance-based session models, we can build therapy around what's functional for your child, not around what fits in a 45-minute room.
“We absolutely Love Madden Therapy !! My son currently has Ms Nikki for OT can’t say enough about her . Nikki has a special way of reaching kids on all levels . He’s making huge strides. “
Madden Therapy Pediatric Occupational Therapy Client
3 Steps Toward Easier, More Confident Movement
Step 1
Schedule your free 15-minute consultation with a Madden Therapy licensed therapist.
We’ll listen, answer your questions, and guide you toward the best next steps—so you leave the call feeling informed and at ease.
Step 2
Schedule your in-person evaluation session.
At your in-person evaluation, we’ll assess your child’s strengths, challenges, and environment. If we’re a good fit, you’ll leave with a custom therapy plan. If not, we’ll refer you to someone who can help.
step 3
Start a therapy plan designed just for your family.
Our therapy is child-led, holistic, and tailored to fit your family’s life. Whether it’s speech, feeding, sensory, or emotional development, we’ll partner with you to make therapy empowering and progress clear.
We Welcome Diagnosed and Undiagnosed Children
Whether your child has a formal diagnosis, or you simply feel something isn’t quite right, we’re here to help. No referral or diagnosis is required to begin.
We meet each child where they are and tailor therapy to what they need, not what a report says.
Private-Pay Pediatric Occupational Therapy in St. Petersburg
Because we don’t bill insurance, your child’s care is shaped by their needs, not by what a policy will approve. That means:
- No long waitlists
- No referral required
- Flexible scheduling around your family’s real life
- Sessions in your home, daycare, community, or at our St. Petersburg clinic
- Individualized care, not one-size-fits-all session models
This allows us to focus on what matters most: your child’s progress and your peace of mind.
The Difference Pediatric Occupational Therapy Can Make for Your Child
With consistent therapy, families often see their child:
Handling transitions, sounds, and busy environments with less overwhelm.
Getting through mornings, mealtimes, and bedtimes without everything falling apart.
Focusing and regulating better at home, at school, and during play.
Having fewer meltdowns and more moments of connection.
Feeling capable in their own skin.
Pediatric occupational therapy isn't just about milestones. It's about helping your child participate fully in the moments that make up childhood and helping you breathe a little easier watching them do it.
Book a Free Call with a Licensed Pediatric Occupational Therapist
Your child deserves support that looks at the whole picture. You deserve guidance you can trust. A free 15-minute call is the easiest place to start. No pressure, no referral, no commitment.
Pediatric Occupational Therapy FAQs
What is pediatric occupational therapy?
Pediatric occupational therapy helps children build the skills they need for daily life. That includes sensory processing, self-regulation, fine and visual motor skills, attention, daily routines, and play. Despite the name, it isn’t about jobs — “occupations” for kids means the meaningful activities of childhood.
What does occupational therapy help with?
OT can help with sensory processing, self-regulation, ADHD-related focus and attention, fine motor skills, handwriting, school readiness, daily living skills like dressing and toileting, social participation, and routines like mornings, mealtimes, and bedtime.
Does my child need a referral or diagnosis to start OT?
No referral or diagnosis required. Many families start OT before any diagnosis has been made.
My pediatrician (or teacher, daycare provider, psychologist) referred us. What do we do next?
Book a free 15-minute call. Bring any notes, evaluations, IEPs, or school reports your referring provider gave you. We’ll review what they shared and confirm the right next step.
How is occupational therapy different from physical therapy?
Physical therapy focuses on gross motor skills like walking, balance, and coordination. Occupational therapy focuses on sensory processing, regulation, fine motor skills, and daily life skills. Some children benefit from both.
Can occupational therapy help with ADHD?
Yes. OT can support children with ADHD by building self-regulation, attention, sensory regulation, and routines that make daily life smoother. It can be a strong complement to other forms of ADHD support.
Can occupational therapy help with sensory processing issues?
Yes. Sensory processing is one of the most common reasons families come to OT. Our therapists are trained in sensory integration approaches that help children better tolerate, organize, and respond to the sensory world around them.
At what age can my child start occupational therapy?
OT supports children from infancy through adolescence. The right approach depends on your child’s age and what we’re working on.
Where can I find pediatric occupational therapy near St. Petersburg, FL?
Madden Therapy Solutions is located in St. Petersburg and serves families across Gulfport, Clearwater, Pinellas County, and the greater Tampa Bay area. Sessions can happen in our clinic, in your home, at school or daycare, or in the community.
