Occupational Therapy
Building the Skills You Need for Everyday Life
Occupational therapy for children and adults in Ann Arbor and Dearborn. We work on sensory needs, motor skills, emotional regulation, daily routines, and the things that matter most to your family.
What Is Occupational Therapy?
Occupational therapy helps people develop the skills they need to participate in daily life. For kids, that might look like getting dressed in the morning, sitting through a classroom lesson, or playing with friends at recess. For adults, it could mean regaining independence after an injury, managing a new diagnosis, or finding better ways to handle sensory or cognitive challenges at work and at home.
The word "occupation" just means the things you do every day: eating, playing, learning, working, socializing, taking care of yourself. When any of those things feel hard, occupational therapy can help.
Our therapists work alongside children and adults to strengthen the sensory, motor, cognitive, and emotional skills that make everyday activities feel more doable, and more enjoyable.
How Occupational Therapy Can Help
Sensory Processing
For kids or adults who feel overwhelmed by sounds, textures, or movement, or who constantly seek out intense sensory input. We help people learn to process and respond to sensory information in ways that feel more comfortable.
Emotional Regulation
For anyone who has frequent meltdowns, a hard time calming down, or trouble managing frustration or anxiety. We build real strategies for handling big emotions in daily life.
Fine Motor Skills
For people who have a hard time with things like holding a pencil, using scissors, buttoning clothes, or managing small objects. We work on building the hand and finger strength needed for precision tasks.
Handwriting
For kids or adults whose writing is hard to read, who press too hard or too lightly, or who avoid writing altogether. We work on the motor and visual skills that make handwriting click.
Attention & Participation
For children or adults who have trouble sitting for tasks, following multi-step directions, or staying engaged. We work on the self-regulation skills that make it easier to focus and follow through.
Play Skills
For children who have a tough time engaging in age-appropriate play, sharing with peers, or using their imagination. We help build the social and motor foundations that make play meaningful.
Feeding Challenges
For kids or adults who are extremely selective eaters, gag on certain textures, or have trouble using utensils. We address the sensory and motor sides of mealtimes so eating feels less stressful.
Self-Care & Independence
For children or adults who need extra support with dressing, grooming, hygiene, or other daily tasks. We help people build the skills and confidence to do more on their own.
Coordination & Body Awareness
For people who bump into things, struggle with balance, or seem unsure of where their body is in space. We build the body awareness and coordination that movement depends on.
Transitions & Routines
For kids or adults who have a hard time switching between activities, adjusting to changes, or sticking to daily routines. We help build structure and practical coping strategies.
Signs You or Your Child May Benefit from Occupational Therapy
Everyone develops differently, and there's no single checklist that fits every situation. But if you're noticing patterns like these, occupational therapy might be worth exploring.
In Children
- Meltdowns during transitions or unexpected changes
- Strong reactions to clothing tags, loud sounds, certain textures, or crowded spaces
- Constantly seeking movement: spinning, crashing, climbing
- Trouble holding a pencil, using scissors, or managing buttons and zippers
- Difficulty with balance, catching a ball, or playground equipment
- Delays with dressing, toileting, brushing teeth, or feeding themselves
- A hard time sitting still for meals, circle time, or homework
In Adults
- Difficulty managing daily tasks after an injury, illness, or new diagnosis
- Sensory sensitivities that interfere with work, relationships, or routines
- Trouble with fine motor tasks like writing, cooking, or self-care
- Challenges with focus, organization, or completing multi-step tasks
- Feeling overwhelmed by environments, textures, or sounds
If any of this sounds familiar, you're not alone, and we're here to help. A conversation with our team is always a good place to start.
Talk to Our TeamOur Approach to Occupational Therapy
At Anwar House of Therapy, we believe every person deserves care that respects who they are. Our occupational therapy services are grounded in a neuroaffirming philosophy, which means we work with each person's unique strengths, not against them.
Every client who comes to our clinic gets a thorough evaluation and an individualized plan built around their specific needs and goals. We collaborate closely with families and caregivers, because the progress that matters most happens in your daily life, not just in our clinic.
For children, sessions are play-based, sensory-rich, and designed to feel like fun while building real skills. For adults, we focus on practical strategies that translate directly into your routines at home and at work. We use evidence-based approaches in a warm environment where people feel safe to explore, practice, and grow.
Whether you need support with sensory processing, motor skills, self-care, or emotional regulation, our licensed occupational therapists bring patience, expertise, and real care to every session.
Individualized Care
Every plan is built around the specific needs, goals, and daily life of the person we're working with.
Family & Caregiver Collaboration
We work alongside parents, caregivers, and support systems as true partners in progress.
Engaging & Sensory-Rich
Sessions are designed to feel meaningful and motivating while building real, lasting skills.
Neuroaffirming Philosophy
We honor each person's neurology and build on strengths rather than working against them.
Frequently Asked Questions About Occupational Therapy
What does an occupational therapist do?
An occupational therapist helps people build the skills they need for daily life. For kids, that means things like eating, dressing, writing, playing, and learning. For adults, it might mean recovering from an injury, managing daily tasks with a new diagnosis, or working through sensory and cognitive challenges. We look at how someone processes sensory information, uses their body, manages emotions, and handles routines, then we put together a plan based on what they actually need.
How do I know if my child needs occupational therapy?
If your child is having a harder time than other kids their age with everyday things like getting dressed, using utensils, holding a pencil, handling certain textures or sounds, managing emotions, or sitting through activities, it might be worth getting an evaluation. That's the best way to find out whether OT could help.
Do you work with adults too?
Yes. While a lot of our clients are children, we also work with adults who are dealing with sensory challenges, recovering from injuries or illness, managing a new diagnosis, or looking for help with daily tasks, focus, and organization. OT isn't just for kids.
What ages do you work with?
We see toddlers, school-age kids, teens, and adults. Early intervention can make a big difference for children, but people can benefit from OT at any age.
Does occupational therapy help with sensory issues?
It does. Sensory processing challenges are actually one of the most common reasons people come to us. Whether someone is over-responsive or under-responsive to sensory input, we help them learn to process and respond to their environment in a way that feels more manageable.
Can OT help with handwriting and fine motor skills?
Yes, and it's one of our most common referrals. Occupational therapists are trained to work on hand strength, coordination, visual-motor skills, and body positioning, which are all things that directly affect handwriting and other fine motor tasks.
What happens during an OT evaluation?
We'll assess sensory processing, motor skills, self-care abilities, and how the person is doing with daily activities overall. That usually means a mix of standardized assessments, hands-on observation, and a conversation with you about what's been going on at home and school (or work, for adults). After that, we put together an individualized plan.
Do you accept insurance?
We do. We accept private pay, commercial insurance, and Medicaid. Give us a call or send us a message and we can look into your specific plan and coverage.
Do you offer occupational therapy in both Ann Arbor and Dearborn?
We do. We have clinics in both Ann Arbor and Dearborn, so families and individuals across Southeast Michigan can get care close to home.