Learning to develop lifelong skills through our senses.
a family-centered approach
Allison Atwood provides a family-centered approach to therapy for every child. She is highly skilled and has been working in the field of pediatric occupational therapy for 18 years. Her approach to therapy is fun, motivating, and challenging; helping each child to see their potential for success in a variety of different skill areas.
therapy offerings
Occupational therapy
Occupational therapy is the practice of rehabilitating someone back into doing what “occupies” a person’s time or what is important to them in their daily life. The most important occupation for children is play. When play skills are disrupted due to difficulties with gross or fine motor development, social skills, or regulation this can deeply affect a child’s function in daily life.
sensory integration
Sensory integration is when different parts of the body (eyes, ears, nose, skin, etc.) pick up information from the environment and then send this information to the brain. The brain organizes this information in conjunction with other brain information such as memories. It then uses all of this information together for function in daily life such as dressing, eating, working, and socializing.
Sensory Integration Therapy
Sensory integration therapy is a frame of reference that is child-centered. The therapist provides different sensory experiences that stimulate one or more of the sensory systems such as the vestibular system, proprioceptive system, tactile system, auditory, and the visual systems. By giving the child the “just right challenge” of input in the clinic based on their own play interests, they immediately feel challenged but successful. In theory, through repetition and practice, there is eventually a neurological change that occurs. When this change happens, the child is better able to adapt to sensory demands of their natural environment such as in the classroom, during unstructured play with their peers, or in their community with family and friends.
meet allison
Allison has been working in the field of pediatric occupational therapy for nearly 20 years. She currently resides in San Francisco with her husband and daughter. Family favorite activities include days spent hiking peaks in San Francisco, discovering new local restaurants, and relaxing on the beach with friends.
what parents are saying
“Allison's style of therapy and deep understanding of sensory considerations was instrumental in helping our daughter feel more confident and comfortable in her body, particularly when she felt stressed.”
– andrew & eleanor
“Going once a week to therapy was wonderful, but even better was the empowerment we got as parents to work with our child every day. We learned, with Allison's help, how to incorporate various exercises into our son's everyday play.”
– nina
get in touch
Complete the inquiry form below for a complimentary 15-20 minute consultation.