FAQ

You do not need to have a specific diagnosis or know exactly what is happening before reaching out. Many families come to Sprout because they notice their child is struggling, but they aren’t sure why. Part of our role is helping you understand what may be contributing and what support would be most helpful.

While therapy mostly looks like play (you can read more about this on our What We Believe page), every activity is intentionally designed, adapted and facilitated to support your child’s development, nervous system, confidence, and growth.

A session at Sprout may include movement and sensory opportunities, problem-solving, creative or imaginative play, social connection, skill-building, and opportunities to practice everyday challenges in a supportive environment. We always start with regulation, so your child’s nervous system is ready to learn, make new connections, and gain skills.

The clinic is a shared space during therapy hours, meaning that there may be several children working individually with their own therapist in the clinic at one time. This is by design and can make the environment more dynamic, allowing for real life opportunities to practice skills. When we want more control over the environment to support focus or regulation, there are areas of the clinic that provide a quieter or more private space. We are always mindful about how the environment may be impacting your child, as well as the opportunities it can provide.

Our therapists are experienced with a wide range of intervention approaches and treatment strategies. We continually expand our knowledge through professional education and collaboration so we can provide thoughtful, individualized care.

Every child is different, and sensory processing differences present in unique ways.

Some children may:

• Become overwhelmed by sounds, textures, movement, crowds, or certain environments
• Seek out intense movement or physical experiences
• Have difficulty noticing important body signals
• Have a hard time slowing down or settling themselves
• Become easily frustrated when things do not go as expected
• Avoid or become dysregulated by certain activities, foods, clothing, or routines
• Have difficulty transitioning between activities
• Appear distracted or have trouble maintaining attention
• Seem unsure of where their body is in space
• Be able to meet expectations in certain environments and then struggle in others

Sensory differences are not simply about being “sensitive” or “seeking” more input. They reflect the way a child’s nervous system receives, integrates and responds to information.

Click here to learn a little more about sensory processing.

We recommend keeping the explanation simple, positive, and honest. You know your child best, so we encourage you to use words that feel natural for your family.

You might say something like:

“Sprout is a place where kids get to play with a grown-up who understands how kids’ bodies and brains work. They can help make the things that feel hard feel easier and better. You will get to try fun activities, play games, and learn what helps your body feel good.”

We work collaboratively with you to establish specific, clinically relevant and measurable goals that help us monitor progress over time. Together, we regularly revisit these goals to ensure therapy continues to be effective and meaningful.

That being said, we also measure progress in the moments that matter most to families:

• Mornings become less stressful.
• Your child recovers more quickly after disappointment or frustration.
• They try something they would have avoided before.
• They begin to advocate for what their body needs.
• They seem more confident.
• Bedtime feels smoother.
• You understand why yesterday was hard and you know how to support tomorrow.
• Your child feels proud of who they are, not just what they can do.

Sprout is a private-pay, out-of-network occupational therapy practice.

We provide families with a detailed superbill at the end of each month, which many families submit to their insurance company for potential out-of-network reimbursement.

Because every insurance plan is different, we cannot guarantee reimbursement. We encourage families to contact their insurance provider directly to understand their specific benefits and coverage.

Our schedule changes regularly as children graduate from therapy, families’ schedules shift, and new openings become available.

If you are interested in beginning the process, we encourage you to reach out. We are always happy to learn more about your child, discuss whether Sprout may be a good fit, and explore available options.

If we aren’t able to offer your family an ongoing therapy time right away, we’ll do everything we can to help. In addition to placing your child on our waitlist, we’re happy to connect with trusted colleagues in our community to help your family find support as quickly as possible.