Children

Therapy Guides by Condition

How occupational, speech and physical therapy help with specific conditions — what therapy involves, what a typical session looks like, and what the research says.

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Written by the DrSensory Editorial Team. How we write and who reviews it

  • Evidence-basedEach guide says what the research supports — and where it is thin.
  • Practical and parent-friendlyPlain explanations and what to expect in a session.
  • Free for familiesEvery guide is free to read. No sign-up.

Therapy for ADHD

View all ADHD guides

ADHD affects attention, impulse control and activity level, and it often comes with differences in coordination, handwriting and social communication. Occupational therapy works on self-regulation, executive function and daily routines; speech therapy on the social and organizational side of language; physical therapy on coordination, fitness and the movement many children with ADHD need in order to focus.

Therapy for Autism

View all Autism guides

Therapy for autistic children is built around the child’s own goals — communication, sensory regulation, daily-living skills and play — not around making a child look less autistic. Speech therapy covers language, social communication, AAC and feeding; occupational therapy covers sensory regulation, fine motor and self-care; physical therapy covers motor skills, balance, strength and active play.

More conditions

Therapy for Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral palsy affects movement and posture, and therapy is usually long-term and team-based: physical therapy for mobility, strength and gait; occupational therapy for hand use, daily living and adaptive equipment; speech therapy for speech clarity, communication, AAC and safe eating.

View all Cerebral Palsy guides

Therapy for Developmental Delays

A developmental delay means milestones are arriving later than expected in one or more areas. Which therapy helps depends on the area — speech and language, fine motor and self-care, or gross motor — and an early evaluation matters more than the label.

View all Developmental Delays guides

Therapy for Down Syndrome

Children with Down syndrome commonly have low muscle tone and differences in speech, feeding and fine motor skills. Physical therapy supports motor milestones, strength and posture; occupational therapy fine motor, self-care, feeding and sensory needs; speech therapy communication, speech clarity, language and feeding.

View all Down Syndrome guides

Therapy for Dyspraxia

Dyspraxia (developmental coordination disorder) affects motor planning — knowing what to do and getting the body to do it. Occupational therapy works on motor planning, coordination and handwriting; physical therapy on gross-motor planning, balance and strength; speech therapy on childhood apraxia of speech when verbal planning is affected.

View all Dyspraxia guides

Therapy for Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome

Ehlers-Danlos syndrome affects connective tissue, so joints are hypermobile and easily strained. Physical therapy works on joint stability, strength, pain and pacing; occupational therapy on joint protection, hand function and daily tasks; speech therapy can help with voice, jaw and swallowing when they are affected.

View all Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome guides

Therapy for Sensory Processing Disorder

Sensory processing differences change how a child takes in sound, touch, movement and body position. Occupational therapy is the main therapy — what sessions look like, sensory strategies and home programs; physical therapy supports balance, coordination and body awareness; speech therapy helps with feeding, oral-sensory and communication needs when sensory differences get in the way.

View all Sensory Processing Disorder guides

Ready to find the right therapist?

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More therapy guides: Guides overview · Comparisons · Cost & insurance · By age · All conditions A–Z · 24 guides in this category, all therapy guides

Common questions about therapy by condition

What types of therapy might help my child’s condition?

It depends on what your child finds hard, not on the diagnosis alone. Occupational therapy addresses daily skills, fine motor, sensory regulation and self-care; physical therapy addresses movement, strength, balance and coordination; speech-language therapy addresses communication, language, feeding and swallowing. Many children see one; some see two or three, and each condition above says which tend to be involved.

How do I know if my child needs therapy?

If a difficulty is getting in the way of daily life — school, play, eating, sleep, getting around — and it is not improving, it is worth an evaluation. A pediatrician can refer you, and in most states a family can contact a therapist directly. Our two-minute check, Does my child need an evaluation?, points you to the right kind of professional.

What happens during a therapy evaluation?

An evaluation is usually one or two sessions. The therapist asks about your concerns and your child’s history, watches your child do everyday tasks and play, and may use standardized tests. You get a written report with findings, goals and a recommended plan — including whether therapy is needed at all.

How do I find a therapist with experience in a specific condition?

Ask directly: how many children with this condition have you worked with, and what does a typical plan look like? Look for the specialty in the clinic’s profile. The DrSensory directory lists occupational, physical and speech therapists by city, with the conditions and services each clinic names.

Does insurance cover occupational, physical or speech therapy?

Often, but it depends on the plan, the diagnosis and the state. Many plans cover therapy that is medically necessary with a diagnosis code; visit limits and prior authorization are common. Therapy a child receives at school under an IEP is provided by the school at no cost to the family. Our cost and insurance guides explain what to ask.

Medical disclaimer. This page is for general educational purposes and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider about your child.