Pediatric Occupational Therapy in Halifax, Dartmouth & the Surrounding Areas

How Occupational Therapy Can Help and Who is it for?

Occupational Therapy (OT) helps children build the skills they need for everyday life: play, self-care, learning, emotional regulation, movement, and participation at home, school, and in the community.

Whether your child has a known diagnosis or you simply have concerns about their development, OT focuses on supporting meaningful daily activities in ways that are practical, functional, and child-centred. No referral is required.

Our Approach

✔ Child-centred & strengths-based
✔ Play-driven
✔ Evidence-based & functional
✔ Family-focused
✔ Connected to your child’s everyday environments

At Little Roots, we follow your child’s interests and build on their unique strengths, using meaningful, joyful play as the foundation for learning. Therapy focuses on real-life, day-to-day activities—not worksheets—so children can develop skills that truly carry over into home, school, and the community.

We partner closely with families to help them understand why challenges are happening and provide practical strategies that fit naturally into daily routines. Therapy can take place through home-based visits, community sessions, virtual support, or group programs, because learning happens everywhere—not just in a clinic room.

Who Pediatric Occupational Therapy Can Support

OT helps children with or without a diagnosis, including those who experience

Developmental & Motor Concerns

• Delays in gross motor skills (balance, coordination, strength, core stability)
• Delays in fine motor skills (grasp, hand strength, cutting, printing, using utensils)
• Challenges with motor planning or body awareness (DCD/dyspraxia)
• Low or high muscle tone affecting everyday function
  

Sensory Processing & Regulation

• Sensory sensitivities (sound, touch, textures, clothing, noise, smells)
• Sensory-seeking behaviours (crashing, spinning, constant movement)
• Difficulty staying calm, focused, or regulated
• meltdowns related to sensory overload

Feeding & Mealtime Difficulties

• Picky eating and limited food variety
• Texture sensitivities
• Gagging, difficulty chewing, or oral-motor challenges
• Stressful mealtimes or refusal to try new foods

Self-Care & Daily Living

• Challenges with dressing, toileting, bathing, brushing teeth, or using utensils
• Trouble learning routines or staying organized
• Sleep difficulties / bedtime routines
• Independence with everyday tasks
  

Social & Emotional Development

• Anxiety, big emotions, or difficulty coping
• Trouble with turn-taking, sharing, or peer play
• Difficulty with frustration tolerance and emotional regulation

School & Learning Skills

• Handwriting and printing challenges
• Attention and focus difficulties
• Trouble staying seated, following routines, or completing tasks
• Fine motor fatigue during school work
  

Common Diagnoses Supported

• Autism Spectrum Disorder
• ADHD
• Sensory Processing Disorder
• Developmental Delay
• Down Syndrome
• Cerebral palsy (mild–moderate)
• DCD / Dyspraxia
• Learning disabilities
• Anxiety-related challenges

⭐️⭐️ What Clients Say About Us ⭐️ ⭐️

“Nicole makes therapy fun, approachable, and filled with laughter.”

“Her practical strategies make a huge difference in our daily routines.”

“Nicole genuinely cares about every child and celebrates their progress with heart.”

“She takes the time to understand our family’s needs and meets us where we are.”

“Nicole’s compassion, patience, and creativity make her a joy to work with.”

“We always feel supported, heard, and encouraged every step of the way.”