A quiet chair beside a window looking toward Montana mountains

From the everyday questions

Guides for Parents

Questions That Start at Home

Maybe mornings take longer than expected, schoolwork ends in frustration, or you are wondering what an occupational therapist actually does. These guides put the everyday questions into plain words.

They are a place to read before you call, not a way to diagnose your child. We work with families in Bozeman and surrounding areas, and you can ask us about your own child in a free 15-minute consultation.

Read by topic

Is OT Right for My Child?

01

Child seen from behind pushing a wheelbarrow in a garden

What Does a Pediatric Occupational Therapist Do?

Parent and child seen from behind looking over Montana fields

Does My Child Need Occupational Therapy?

Child’s bare feet on smooth stones beside a shallow stream

What Is Sensory Processing?

Baby’s hands on a patterned play mat beside an adult’s hand

Tummy Time and Early Movement for Babies

Three blank wooden direction signs beside a mountain trail

OT, PT, or Speech Therapy: What’s the Difference?

Read by topic

Everyday Struggles

02

Parent with a hand on a child’s shoulder at the front door, both seen from behind

Why Does My Child Melt Down After School?

Child’s hands adjusting a sock on a soft rug

When Your Child Is Sensitive to Noise, Clothes, or Textures

Child’s hand writing in a lined notebook with a pencil

Messy Handwriting and Pencil Grip: When to Look Closer

Child seen from behind leaning over schoolwork at a table

My Child Can’t Sit Still. Is That an OT Question?

Quiet child’s bedroom at dusk with an empty bed and bedside lamp

Bedwetting After Age Five: Where OT Fits

Child seen from behind balancing along a low garden edge beside a parent

Is My Child Just Clumsy? Coordination and Balance

Child’s hands pulling up a jacket zipper beside winter mittens

Getting Dressed and Out the Door: Morning Routines

Child seen from behind working at a table as daylight fades

Homework Battles and Focus

Adult walking beside a child riding a bike on a mountain path, both seen from behind

Learning to Ride a Bike: Balance, Coordination, and Confidence

Read by topic

Paying and Getting Started

03

Child’s hands threading wooden beads at a table

What Happens at a Pediatric OT Evaluation

Sunlit family living room with toys and a mountain view

In-Home Occupational Therapy: What to Expect

Notebook and cup beside a window overlooking Montana mountains

Paying for Private-Pay OT: Superbills, HSA and FSA

Rocking chairs on a porch facing Montana mountains

Do You Need a Diagnosis or Referral for OT?

Parent and child seen from behind playing with a ball in a Montana field

How Parents Help Between Sessions

Quiet downtown street in Montana with mountains beyond

How to Choose a Pediatric OT in Bozeman

Bring Your Own Question

We can listen to what is happening in your child’s day and explain whether an evaluation might be useful.

Book a Free 15-Minute Consultation