By Lisa S. Taormina, MOT, OTR/L
Last June, the Holy Cross Health Family Health Center opened in Oakland Park, becoming the only health care facility in Northeast Broward County to provide pediatric occupational therapy, physical therapy and speech language therapy under one roof. The Pediatric Therapy Clinic serves pediatric patients of all developmental stages from birth to age 21. It features a sensory gym and low stimulation room for those who experience sensory processing difficulties, including individuals on the autism spectrum. These differences can impact how children process visual cues, bright lights, sounds, smells, tastes and textures. Their vestibular (balance), proprioception (body awareness) and interoception (internal bodily states) can also be affected.
Sensory Gym
Through a thorough evaluation process, we customize an individualized treatment plan for each of our patients. We help children navigate their world with confidence by integrating sensory activities during therapy that promote efficient processing, teaching practical strategies for home, school and community, and provide self-regulation tools to help children understand and advocate for their own needs.
Play is central to our therapy. Our sensory gym includes a range of equipment, including a tactile caterpillar, tunnel, wooden slide, variety of swings, rock wall, scooters and pressure-sensitive floor panels, all designed to provide sensory input while helping children develop movement, strength, coordination and body awareness. Meanwhile, the low stimulation room features ambient lighting, calming bubble tubes, bean bag chairs, a soft rocking chair, a Lite-Brite, and touchable fiberoptic lights that glow and change color. These tools help children stay calm and regulate their sensory systems, so they feel safe, focused and ready to engage in learning.
In the short time since our clinic has been open, we have been privileged to witness remarkable progress in the children we serve. Our very first patient is one of our greatest success stories. He was struggling to cope with overwhelming sensory experiences at home and school. His frustration sometimes led to non-compliant behaviors including hitting and pushing his peers, which made daily routines and classroom participation difficult. The sensory equipment in our gym helped soothe him, and he learned self-regulation techniques to recognize and control his feelings. With the involvement of his parents and teachers, he applied these lessons at home and school. After a few months, his progress was remarkable, and he recently received an award for outstanding behavior at school. This is a testament to what thoughtful, sensory-informed intervention and consistent support can achieve.
We invite educators and health care providers to tour our specialized sensory gym and low-stimulation space. Facility tours offer caregivers and professionals a chance to see our programs in action and understand how they work. Beyond the tour, we offer guidance on adapting environments to support children with sensory processing difficulties. We also help caregivers recognize behaviors that may signal sensory challenges, such as meltdowns in crowded or noisy spaces, aversions to certain textures in food and clothing, covering ears in response to sounds that are barely noticeable to others, difficulty focusing in busy environments and constant motion such as spinning, jumping and crashing into objects.
Understanding the sensory basis of these behaviors allows us to create strategies and environments that truly guide children and help them thrive. Progress is most meaningful when professionals, families and schools collaborate to meet each child’s unique sensory needs. Every child deserves to feel understood and empowered so they can build confidence, grow and flourish in their everyday lives. At Holy Cross Health, we are proud to partner with children and families every step of the way.
The Holy Cross Health Family Health Center is located on the first floor of the Holy Cross Medical Plaza at 5601 N. Dixie Hwy. in Oakland Park and can be reached at (954) 542-2840. To learn more, visit holy-cross.com/services/rehabilitation-and-therapy/outpatient-rehabilitation/holy-cross-pediatric-therapy.
Lisa Taormina is a Pediatric Occupational Therapist at Holy Cross Health.
