Smoky Mountain Occupational Therapy

08/07/2026

Let’s go!

08/05/2026

"He just doesn't listen."

We hear this concern from parents all the time.

But sometimes the problem isn't listening...

It's understanding.

Language comprehension is the ability to make sense of what we hear. It is much more than recognizing words. Children must understand vocabulary, sentence structure, sequencing, concepts, and the meaning behind what is being said.

When comprehension is difficult, a child may:
• Ask "What?" frequently.
• Need directions repeated.
• Follow only part of a multi-step direction.
• Watch what other children are doing before joining in.
• Answer questions that don't quite match what was asked.
• Seem distracted or "not listening."

These children are often trying very hard. Their brains are working to figure out what the words actually mean.

The good news is that comprehension skills can be evaluated and strengthened. A speech-language evaluation can help identify why your child is having difficulty and provide a plan to build the language skills needed for success at home, in school, and with friends.

Sometimes the biggest difference begins when we stop asking, "Why won't they listen?" and start asking, "Do they understand?"

08/04/2026

Jamie loves working with babies! These are a couple of the pacifiers that got left behind so far this week.

07/28/2026

News on IEP changes in Knox County Schools

Knox County Schools will present a special education improvement plan next month, more than 3 years after a task force was formed to study the issues.

07/25/2026

If you were there when we had the clinic on East Broadway, then you remember these fluorescent light covers! Since we don’t need them anymore, we donated them to Ms. Madeleine Cantrell’s classroom at Walland Elementary. She sent us a photo so we could see their new home! Walland Elementary School

07/25/2026

Mouth watering yet? Well don’t eat it.
It’s corn meal, pecans, and brown paint.

07/24/2026

Thumbs up if you agree!

07/24/2026

07/23/2026

Close your eyes and imagine an apple…
What does the image in your head look like?

We have been having a lot of fun this week learning about how our brains work.

Some people see a sort of plain red apple like number 4. Some see it more vividly than #5, even able to see texture and movement. Others know what an apple is supposed to look like but they can’t visualize it when they close their eyes.

07/16/2026

Frozen? Nope… just working on vestibular processing!