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Sensory Therapy Place

Frequently Asked Questions — Pediatric Occupational Therapy & Sensory Tools

Frequently Asked Questions · Pediatric Occupational Therapy

Real answers from a pediatric occupational therapist.

Everything parents, educators, and caregivers ask us about sensory processing, primitive reflexes, OT services, telehealth, and our OT-curated sensory tools — answered by Earl Mamaril, MS, OTR/L, and the Sensory Therapy Place clinical team.

★★★★★ Judge.me Verified Reviews Pediatric OT-Led Brewer & Scarborough, Maine

Sensory Therapy Place is a pediatric occupational therapy clinic and OT-curated sensory wellness brand. We help parents understand their child's nervous system through clinical care, parent education, and sensory tools selected by occupational therapists. Below are the questions families ask us most often — organized by topic so you can find answers fast.

About Sensory Therapy Place

What is Sensory Therapy Place?

Sensory Therapy Place is a pediatric occupational therapy clinic and OT-curated sensory wellness brand founded by Earl Mamaril, MS, OTR/L. We help parents understand and support their child's nervous system through clinical therapy, parent education, and sensory tools selected by occupational therapists. Our clinics are located in Brewer and Scarborough, Maine, with telehealth pediatric OT available nationwide.

What is pediatric occupational therapy?

Pediatric occupational therapy is clinical care that helps children regulate their nervous system, integrate primitive reflexes, and develop the sensory, motor, and emotional skills needed for daily life. At Sensory Therapy Place, our pediatric OT approach combines neurodevelopmental assessment, sensory integration, and parent coaching. Treatment is appropriate for children with sensory processing differences, autism, ADHD, anxiety, motor delays, and emotional dysregulation.

What is sensory processing, and what does it mean if my child has sensory processing differences?

Sensory processing is how the brain receives, organizes, and responds to information from the eight sensory systems — sight, sound, touch, taste, smell, proprioception, vestibular, and interoception. When a child has sensory processing differences, their nervous system over-registers or under-registers sensory input, which can show up as meltdowns, fidgeting, picky eating, or trouble with transitions. At Sensory Therapy Place, our pediatric OT team assesses your child's sensory profile and builds a clinical plan to support regulation.

What are primitive reflexes, and why do retained reflexes matter?

Primitive reflexes are automatic movement patterns — like the Moro reflex, ATNR, and STNR — that emerge before birth and should integrate by 6 to 12 months of age. When a reflex stays active past its developmental window, it can interfere with coordination, focus, emotional regulation, and learning. Sensory Therapy Place specializes in primitive reflex integration as part of pediatric occupational therapy in Brewer and Scarborough, Maine.

Is occupational therapy right for my child?

How do I know if my child needs occupational therapy?

Common signs your child may benefit from pediatric occupational therapy include meltdowns over clothing tags or noise, trouble sitting still, picky eating beyond typical preferences, delayed motor skills, and emotional dysregulation that doesn't match the situation. Sensory Therapy Place offers a free 3-minute Sensory Profile Screener and a free 15-minute consultation to help you decide. If multiple signs are present, a formal pediatric OT evaluation is the recommended next step.

Can pediatric occupational therapy help with autism, ADHD, anxiety, or emotional dysregulation?

Yes. Pediatric occupational therapy is one of the most evidence-supported clinical approaches for children with autism, ADHD, anxiety, and emotional dysregulation because it addresses the underlying nervous system regulation rather than just the surface behavior. At Sensory Therapy Place, Earl Mamaril, MS, OTR/L, builds neurodevelopmental treatment plans that combine sensory integration, primitive reflex integration, and parent coaching tailored to these profiles.

At what age should a child start occupational therapy?

Pediatric occupational therapy is most effective between ages 2 and 12, when the nervous system has the most neuroplasticity, but children of any age — including teens — can benefit. Sensory Therapy Place accepts patients from infancy through adolescence and adjusts the clinical approach to developmental stage. Earlier intervention typically produces faster gains, but it is never too late to support a child's sensory regulation.

Can pediatric OT help with picky eating or oral sensory issues?

Yes. Pediatric occupational therapy at Sensory Therapy Place includes feeding and oral motor support for children with oral sensory seeking, oral defensiveness, and food selectivity. Our pediatric OT team uses sensory-based feeding strategies and oral motor exercises tailored to your child's specific sensory profile. Earl Mamaril, MS, OTR/L, evaluates each child's oral sensory needs as part of a complete neurodevelopmental assessment.

Working with our clinic

Where are your pediatric OT clinics located?

Sensory Therapy Place operates two clinic locations in Maine: our original clinic in Brewer (serving Bangor and central Maine) and our newer clinic in Scarborough (serving Portland and southern Maine). We also offer telehealth pediatric OT consultations to families nationwide. Email service@sensorytherapyplace.com or book a free 15-minute screening to find the right fit.

Do you offer telehealth pediatric occupational therapy?

Yes — Sensory Therapy Place offers telehealth pediatric occupational therapy and parent coaching consultations to families across the United States. Telehealth is appropriate for parent education sessions, primitive reflex screening guidance, sensory diet design, and follow-up care. Some children benefit most from a hybrid model that combines in-clinic Maine visits with telehealth sessions in between.

How much does pediatric occupational therapy cost at Sensory Therapy Place?

Pediatric OT evaluation and treatment fees at Sensory Therapy Place vary by service type and session length, with a free 15-minute sensory screening included before any paid appointment. Most families budget for weekly or biweekly sessions over a 3 to 9 month course of care. Email service@sensorytherapyplace.com for current pricing and to discuss your child's likely care plan.

Do you accept insurance for pediatric OT in Maine?

Sensory Therapy Place is currently a private-pay pediatric occupational therapy clinic, and we provide superbills for out-of-network insurance reimbursement. Many families use HSA and FSA funds toward sessions and sensory tool purchases. Verify with your insurance carrier whether out-of-network OT services are eligible for reimbursement before booking.

How long does pediatric occupational therapy take to work?

Most families notice nervous system regulation shifts within 4 to 8 weekly sessions, with measurable skill gains by 12 weeks. At Sensory Therapy Place, pediatric OT plans are reviewed every 12 weeks against developmental goals and parent-reported progress. Children with retained primitive reflexes or complex sensory processing profiles typically benefit from 6 to 9 months of consistent care.

What happens at a first pediatric OT evaluation?

A first pediatric OT evaluation at Sensory Therapy Place includes a parent interview, sensory profile assessment, primitive reflex screening, and structured play-based observation of motor and regulation skills. The evaluation usually takes 60 to 90 minutes, after which Earl Mamaril, MS, OTR/L, or a member of our clinical team reviews findings and outlines a treatment plan. Parents leave with a written summary and concrete first steps.

About our sensory tools

Are the sensory tools you sell OT-recommended?

Every sensory product at Sensory Therapy Place is selected by our pediatric occupational therapy team — led by Earl Mamaril, MS, OTR/L — through the lens of clinical practice. We do not carry products we wouldn't use in our own clinics in Brewer and Scarborough, Maine. When you shop with Sensory Therapy Place, you are getting an OT-informed recommendation, not a generic toy store item.

What is your return policy for sensory products?

Sensory Therapy Place offers a 30-day return window on unused sensory products in original condition. If a product doesn't fit your child's sensory profile, contact service@sensorytherapyplace.com and we'll help you find a better match or process a return. For questions about whether a specific tool is right for your child, book a free 15-minute OT consultation before purchase.

Can I use HSA or FSA funds for sensory tools and OT services?

Many families use HSA and FSA funds for both pediatric occupational therapy services and OT-recommended sensory tools from Sensory Therapy Place. Eligibility depends on your specific plan, so confirm with your HSA/FSA administrator before purchase. We provide receipts and superbills suitable for reimbursement submission.

Still have questions about your child?

Book a free 15-minute sensory screening with our pediatric OT team. We'll help you decide whether in-clinic therapy, telehealth, or our OT-curated sensory tools are the right next step for your family.

Book Your Free Screening

Brewer & Scarborough, Maine · Telehealth available nationwide · 30-day product returns

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Reviewed by

Earl Mamaril, MS, OTR/L

Founder of Sensory Therapy Place. Pediatric occupational therapist with clinical specialization in sensory integration, primitive reflex integration, and neurodevelopmental assessment. Practicing in Brewer and Scarborough, Maine, with telehealth pediatric OT consultations nationwide. Meet the full team →

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