Questions parents
ask most

We work with children from infancy through age 12. Reflex integration and sensory processing approaches are used across all of these developmental stages, and we adapt the specific techniques to each child's age and needs. Not every child is a good fit for every approach, and the evaluation is where we determine that.

An intensive is a concentrated 5-day therapy program where your child receives 2 hours of individualized, one-on-one treatment each day (10 hours total). The rationale comes from research on high-repetition, massed-practice rehabilitation, where concentrated practice has produced change more quickly than the same hours spread across months. That research base is strongest for specific motor interventions and is still developing for the broader mix of approaches we use. We chose this model because it fits how motor learning works, and because it lets families who travel receive a full course of care.

During the evaluation, Erin assesses your child's sensory processing, motor skills, primitive reflex development, and neurological foundations. This isn't a standard checklist; it's a deep dive into why your child is experiencing challenges. You'll receive a detailed report with findings and a recommended treatment plan. The evaluation typically takes 1.5-2 hours.

Primitive reflexes are automatic movement patterns that develop in utero and infancy. They're supposed to integrate (become inactive) as the brain matures. When they don't integrate, when they're 'retained,' they can interfere with motor skills, sensory processing, attention, emotional regulation, and learning. For example, a retained Moro reflex can cause anxiety and sensory sensitivity, while a retained ATNR can make handwriting extremely difficult.

Traditional OT often focuses on building the specific skill a child is struggling with, or on teaching strategies that work around the difficulty. Our emphasis is on the sensory, motor, and reflex foundations underneath that skill. Both approaches are legitimate occupational therapy, and many children benefit from both. We are describing a difference in emphasis, not a claim that other therapists are practicing incorrectly.

We are an out-of-network provider. We can provide a superbill (detailed receipt) that you can submit to your insurance company for potential reimbursement. Many families find that their out-of-network benefits cover a significant portion of the cost. We recommend calling your insurance company before your first visit to understand your specific coverage.

Absolutely! Many of our families travel to Dallas specifically for our intensive programs. The 5-day format is actually ideal for traveling families. We can help with recommendations for nearby hotels and family-friendly activities in the area for downtime between sessions.

Yes! Every family leaves with a customized home program tailored to their child's specific needs. This includes specific reflex integration exercises, sensory activities, and strategies to continue progress at home. The home program is a critical part of the process: it extends the benefits of the intensive into everyday life. We also offer maintenance sessions to adjust the program as your child progresses.

The best way to get started is through our contact form or by emailing erin@neuronestpediatrictherapy.com. We'll respond within 1-2 business days to discuss your child's needs and schedule an initial evaluation. Intensives are scheduled based on availability, so we recommend reaching out early to secure your preferred dates.

It varies, and we will not put a timeline on your child. Many parents notice changes during the intensive itself, in regulation, motor control or confidence, and most of the change families describe emerges over the weeks that follow as the work settles in. Consistent follow-through with the home program matters a great deal here. Because we measure against goals written at your evaluation, you will be able to see what has moved rather than relying on impressions. If your child is not responding, we will tell you that too, and talk with you about what to do next.

It differs by therapy, and knowing which is which is genuinely useful when you are deciding. Sensory integration and motor skill development have the strongest base, with systematic reviews behind them. Reflex integration is supported by a well-designed randomized trial for reading difficulty, with the wider evidence still building. Photobiomodulation and non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation are newer: the pediatric studies are encouraging, and they are small. Our Research page gives every study we rely on, with its design, its size, and where the evidence is still developing, so nothing is taken on trust.

Not for these specific uses, and we want to be direct about that. Therapeutic lasers of the kind we use hold FDA clearance for indications such as temporary relief of pain and increased local blood circulation. Applying one to the head for neurodevelopmental purposes is an off-label use. Off-label use is lawful and common across medicine, but it means the FDA has not reviewed or authorized that particular application. The same is true of non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation through the ear: implanted vagus nerve stimulators are FDA approved for epilepsy, but that approval does not extend to the non-invasive ear devices used in research, and no such device is cleared for autism or developmental conditions in children. We explain this before you decide, and it is written into our consent form.

Occupational therapy does not cure autism, ADHD, cerebral palsy, genetic conditions, or brain injury, and we will never tell you that it does. We do not diagnose medical conditions, prescribe or adjust medication, or provide psychotherapy. Occupational therapy addresses function: how your child participates in daily activities, regulates, moves, and learns. It works best alongside your child's physician, and alongside speech therapy, physical therapy, behavioral support, or mental health care where those are indicated. If your child needs something outside our scope, our job is to refer you.

We tell you. Goals are written at the evaluation and re-measured, so this is a conversation about data rather than a judgment call. If your child is not responding, we will discuss whether a different approach is warranted, whether a referral elsewhere would serve you better, or whether stopping is the right call. We do not recommend additional intensives simply because the first one was purchased. You are free to stop care at any point.