Connect Pediatric Therapy

09/23/2026

🚨 5 minutes until we leave!
“Okay, time to go!”
➡️ Meltdown.

Sound familiar? 😅

Sometimes we expect transitions to be simple: “Just stop what you're doing and come with me.”

But for some children, transitions require much more than simply changing activities.

They may be thinking:
🧠 I wasn't finished!
🧠 What's happening next?
🧠 I don't know how to stop my body.
🧠 This change feels overwhelming.
🧠 I need more time to process what's happening.

Instead of asking, “Why won't my child just transition?” try asking:

💙 “What does my child need to make this transition easier?”

A little preparation, predictability, visual support, and connection can make a BIG difference.

And if transitions are consistently causing significant stress at home, school, or in the community, we can help identify the underlying skills and sensory needs that may be contributing.

✨ Your child isn't giving you a hard time. They may be having a hard time.

09/11/2026

09/08/2026

Let's talk about boundaries! 👇

What's the hardest boundary to hold at your house?

🏠 Leaving the house
🛝 Leaving the playground
📱 Turning off screens
🛏️ Bedtime
🍪 Food or treats
🧸 Sharing toys
🚗 Getting in the car
😡 Managing aggressive behavior

Drop yours in the comments!

Because boundaries don't have to mean battles. ❤️

08/31/2026

Setting boundaries doesn't mean being strict or disconnected. ❤️

In fact, loving, consistent boundaries can help children feel safer and learn important skills like:

✨ Emotional regulation
✨ Flexibility
✨ Problem-solving
✨ Coping with disappointment
✨ Managing transitions
✨ Understanding expectations

But here's something parents don't always hear:

Your child's behavior may actually get BIGGER before it gets better.

When you start holding a boundary consistently, your child may cry, negotiate, yell, test the limit, or have a bigger meltdown. That doesn't automatically mean you're doing something wrong.

In our newest blog, we're talking about how to set boundaries with connection, compassion, and practical OT strategies.

You'll learn what to say, what NOT to do, how sensory strategies can help, and what you might expect when you first begin setting more consistent boundaries.

👉 Read the full blog: How to Set Boundaries for Kids with Love
https://connectpediatrictherapy.com/2026/08/how-to-set-boundaries-for-kids-with-love-parenting-tips-ot-strategies/

08/26/2026

We couldn't ask for a better partner than Diesel!! 🐾
He's OUR superhero!! 🏆

08/25/2026

One Year Without Jessica 🤍

August 25 marks one year since we unexpectedly lost our dear friend, colleague, and Clinical Coordinator, Jessica Andersen-Anschutz.

Jessica’s passion for children was evident in everything she did. From her years as a teacher to her work supporting children with autism and, ultimately, her role at Connect Pediatric Therapy, she had a gift for making children and families feel seen, supported, and cared for.

Her kindness, enthusiasm, humor, and genuine desire to help others left a lasting mark on our clinic and on the many families whose lives she touched.

Today, we remember Jessica with gratitude. We are grateful for the time we had with her, for everything she gave to our Connect family, and for the lasting impact she made on the children and families she cared so deeply about.

Jessica, you are deeply missed, lovingly remembered, and forever a part of the Connect Pediatric Therapy family. 🤍

April 18, 1983 – August 25, 2025

08/20/2026

😴 Is your child falling apart the second they get home from school?

You're not alone.

Many neurodivergent children work incredibly hard all day to manage expectations, sensory input, social interactions, and routines.

By the time they get home, they may simply be out of energy.

Instead of immediately asking:

“How was your day?”
“What did you do?”
“Did you finish your work?”

Try giving them some low-demand time to decompress first.

Consider:

🍎 A favorite snack
🎧 Calming music
🧸 A cozy, quiet space
🛝 Movement or sensory activities
🌳 Time outside
📚 Reading
❤️ Time with a favorite toy/activity

Once their nervous system has had time to settle, they may be much more ready to talk.

💡 OT Tip: Think of the after-school period as a transition, too. Your child may need time to shift from “school mode” back into “home mode.”

Sometimes the best question isn't “How was your day?”

It's simply:

“What does your body need right now?”

08/14/2026

❤️ There is no “perfect” way to transition back to school.

Some children walk into the classroom on day one ready to go.

Others need:

⏳ More time
🔄 More repetition
👀 More preparation
🧘 More regulation support
❤️ More reassurance

And that's okay.

If your child struggles with school transitions, sensory demands, emotional regulation, anxiety, or daily routines, it doesn't mean they aren't capable of succeeding.

It may simply mean they need the right supports and strategies.

Pediatric occupational therapy can help children build skills related to:

🧠 Self-regulation
🎯 Executive functioning
👕 Daily routines
✋ Fine motor skills
🏃 Gross motor skills
🔊 Sensory processing
💬 Participation in everyday activities

We partner with families to understand what's underneath the struggle and develop practical strategies that support success at home, school, and in the community.

📞 Call us at (402) 413-1356 to learn more or schedule an evaluation.

You've got this—and your child doesn't have to navigate the transition alone. ❤️