Sensory Integration Therapy for Children

Sensory Integration Informed Neuro-informed Practice

What is Sensory Integration Therapy?

Sensory integration is the way your child’s brain organizes information from all their senses—touch, movement, sound, sight, taste, smell, and internal body awareness—to engage with the world. For a neurodiverse child, this process may not develop as expected, leading to them being overwhelmed, under-responsive, or dysregulated in ways that affect their daily lives, like covering their ears in noisy environments or avoiding certain textures. A neuro-informed Sensory Integration Therapy is what a child’s developing brain needs. We provide a system that provides carefully guided, child-led, play-based experiences, helping their brain develop the adaptive and organized responses they need to thrive.

Is Sensory Integration Therapy Right for Your Child?

Understanding your child’s unique way of experiencing the world is the first step. While every sensory profile is different, children who may benefit from sensory integration therapy often show one or more of the following signs:

• Sensory Sensitivities: They show strong reactions or distress to typical sensory input, such as certain sounds, smells, tastes, or clothing textures.
• Challenges with Change: They struggle significantly with transitions, new environments, or unexpected changes in routine.
• Sensory Seeking Behaviors: They constantly seek intense movement or pressure, such as frequently crashing into objects, jumping, or spinning.
• Regulation Difficulties: They find it hard to stay focused or manage their calm state in active or stimulating environments like a busy classroom or playground.
• Motor Avoidance: They appear fearful of or actively avoid activities involving movement or different textures, such as swings, climbing, or messy play.
• Daily Life Struggles: They face obstacles with everyday self-care tasks like getting dressed, brushing teeth, or mealtimes.
• Emotional Overwhelm: They experience frequent “meltdowns” or emotional reactions that seem much larger than the situation warrants.

At Little Buddies, we recognize that every child is unique. Our therapists partner collaboratively with families to deeply understand your child’s needs and create supportive, meaningful goals tailored just for them.

Our Approach

Our sensory integration model at Little Buddies is rooted in relationships. We follow the DIR Floortime® framework, which means we begin by meeting your child where they are, building trust and connection before anything else.

Therapists are trained to create a playful, child-led environment where sensory activities are embedded naturally into things children love. Sessions are dynamic, responsive, and developed to fit a child’s unique sensory profile, interests, and developmental level.

We also believe in a family-centered approach, which is why our therapists provide caregivers with practical strategies they can use at home and in daily life to guide their child. This process, called “opening and closing circles of communication,” is central to the Floortime approach.

What to Expect

Once a consultation inquiry comes through, a member of our team will contact you via email within 2 business days to chat through the next steps. They include:

• Scheduling and costs for your child’s evaluation
• Scheduling an intake call with one of our therapists
• Book your child’s evaluation at your preferred location
• Begin therapy services based on the evaluation results

Who We Serve

Our director and lead occupational therapist, Keith, is one of only a small number of certified DIR Floortime® Trainers in Canada. With over 25 years of experience as an occupational therapist, trained at New York University and with advanced training in Sensory Integration, Neuro-Developmental Treatment, and Multiple Therapeutic Learning Systems, Keith brings a depth of expertise that is rare in this field.

Keith initially trained at Babies and Children’s Hospital of New York City, and his commitment to DIR Floortime® has shaped the culture of Little Buddies from the ground up.

FAQs

What are the signs my child may have sensory processing difficulties?

Your child may exhibit “sensory avoiding” behaviors (like becoming easily overwhelmed by sounds, textures, or busy environments) or “sensory seeking” behaviors (like constantly craving movement, touch, or deep pressure throughout the day). 

Is Sensory Integration therapy the same as occupational therapy?

While numerous occupational therapists utilize sensory integration methods, it remains a specialized discipline within occupational therapy requiring specific training. At Little Buddies, our Occupational Therapists apply targeted, sensory-based interventions to help your child navigate daily life with greater ease and self-assurance.

What happens during a sensory integration therapy session?

Sessions are child-led, play-based, and highly individualized. They take place in a specialized environment and may involve dynamic activities like movement, climbing, swinging, obstacle courses, tactile exploration, and strategies for emotional regulation.

Can sensory integration therapy help children with autism or ADHD?

Absolutely. Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), ADHD, developmental delays, and other sensory processing differences often experience significant positive outcomes from targeted sensory integration therapy.

How long does sensory integration therapy take?

Therapy is fully customized. The duration and frequency depend entirely on your child’s individual goals, strengths, and specific areas of challenge. Our OTs will work with you to develop a clear, personalized plan.

Do parents participate in therapy?

Yes, family participation is essential. We use a family-centered approach, working closely with parents and caregivers to provide education, strategies, and practical support that integrates seamlessly into daily routines at home and school.