Sunny Day Therapy's Blog- Helping Children & Caregivers Shine, Do, and Thrive

What I love about our occupational therapy is it involves creative problem solving to help clients complete occupations (daily activities that matter to them). Our distinct OT is not a cookie-cutter approach. A parent told me a story about how their child was forced to color a picture in OT every week and when they could not do it told they were not behaving and needed to finish the coloring sheet the next week. (We as occupational therapy practitioners are all about motor strengthening and fine motor precision but we also see the big picture of what is happening in the context of behaviors and preferred/non-preferred activities). What is a person’s sensory behaviors and nervous system trying to tell us? How can we help them build confidence to feel empowered to complete daily activities? Where do we need to start to build the regulation, confidence, and foundational attention skills that will help them feel confident to complete all daily activities? We meet clients where they are, build relationships, and nourish bodies/minds with sensory input that helps clients feel grounded and heard. Dr. Day’s Story Power tools and copyrighted Story Power and Zookeepers social emotional learning programs use a whole tool kit of strategies and opportunities for sensory exploration/self-expression that help clients find their “voice” and live out their own story (whatever that may look like) through confidence and purposeful creation. The founders of OT helped people feel more whole and confident through the acts of “doing, being, becoming, and belonging.” OT has taught us to find activities that are purposeful, restful, and meaningful so clients have just the right balance and environments that fit to challenge them… one-step-at-a-time. Our assessments zoom in and zoom out on problems to help use create a concrete plan that promotes nervous system regulation giving you the tools to understand your body signs and do exercises/activities that nourish your body and mind. Let us help you find the routines, systems, and hopes to be well. Whether it’s a baby who can’t sleep, a parent who can’t focus, an elementary student whose anxiety and behavior impede school performance, a child overwhelmed by sensory issues such as clothing tags or loud noises, a teenager who can’t find the motivation to initiate and complete tasks, our distinct occupational therapy process has tools for you. Our occupational therapy Doctors (Dr. Cara Reynolds and Dr. Kim Day) are excited to meet you and walk with you on your journey towards whole-body health (physical, mental, and sensory. Sunny Day Therapy – It’s Therapy Through Connection. Email Matthew Day at admin@sunnydaytherapy.net to begin your therapy at our Lexington office in Hamburg or nearby partner schools including Seton, Northeast Learning Academy, and Higher Ground. (Dr. Day also provides services at St. Mark’s/daycares in Richmond on Wednesdays with limited availability.)

(Fun fact: our logo includes the sun, a symbol of hope, and a swing, a symbol of relaxation – two key themes of our distinct occupational therapy. We give you tools like the swing and help you find perspective (think outside-of-the-box) to have hope to complete your daily activities with confidence and skills).