a place to grow
We provide occupational therapy to children of all ages. The aim of Occupational Therapy is to facilitate the child’s ability to participate in the everyday tasks of childhood (work, play and self-care). The name A Place to Grow was chosen to symbolize our belief that when children and families are provided with support and rich, fertile conditions they can develop, grow, and flourish along their own unique individual trajectory.
about us
I have worked with kids and families in public and private schools, in home health and in the clinic setting. I have also worked as a consultant providing occupational therapy based support strategies for kids with developmental and/or behavioral challenges in their daycare or preschool settings. I am also the mother of twin teenagers who, along with all the other kids who I have had the pleasure of working and playing with, continue to affirm my deep love and appreciation of the wonders of development!
I am so lucky to have two, experienced and amazing colleagues to work alongside me. Natalie Mason, MS, OTR/L has 20 years experience working with kids in private and public school settings (Kindergarten through High school), as well as in the clinic setting. Kristen Jacobsen, MS, OT/L has been working with children for the past 10 years. She has experience working in the public school, in the clinic and has advanced training in the DIR/Floortime® methodology. I feel privileged to have both of these therapists at A Place to Grow supporting kids and families!
philosophy
We believe that children deserve to be supported, loved and valued for who they are.
- All children want and need to feel strong, confident and capable and to be successful in conquering challenges.
- Play is a powerful medium for facilitating growth and development in all areas of a child’s life.
- Learning happens in the context of being in warm, nurturing, supportive relationships with others.
- Families love their children and want what is best for them. A child’s family is his/her most important resource. Together we can help the child grow and be successful in the tasks of childhood.
Some of the therapeutic approaches we use include…
- Sensory Integration/Sensory Processing
- Social Thinking®
- Zones of Regulation®
- DIRFloortime® (Developmental, Individual-differences, Relationship- based Model)
- Sequential Oral Sensory (SOS) approach
- Therapeutic Listening®
- Handwriting Without Tears®
services
Individual occupational therapy
- Sensory Processing Disorder (Sensory Modulation Challenges, Sensory Discrimination Disorder and Sensory Based Motor Disorder/Dyspraxia)
- Self-Regulation/Emotional-Regulation weaknesses
- Social Thinking Weaknesses
- Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
- Selective Eating
- Fine motor, Visual Perceptual and Visual Motor Integration Weaknesses
- Graphomotor (writing and drawing) Challenges.
Group occupational therapy
We offer several small ongoing therapeutic social groups in a wide range of ages that we run weekly to support self-regulation, social play skills, relationship building and social thinking. We use an eclectic approach in these groups but rely heavily on concepts from Michelle Garcia Winner’s Social Thinking® and Leah Kuyper’s Zones of Regulation frameworks.
Therapeutic half-day summer camps
Although having fun and making friends are at top of our list, our camps are therapeutic in nature. Activities may include gym and outdoor time, movement activities, sensory play, games, crafts and cooking. We cater our summer camps to the needs of the children in the group. Areas that are often covered include:
- Social thinking and friendship building skills
- Sensory processing and self-regulation skills
- Gross motor, motor planning and fine motor skills
our space
The space includes a waiting area, a sensory integration gym, a naturalistic kitchen-dining area to work on feeding/eating skills and spaces for small groups, pretending/play skills and table top tasks (fine motor skill development, handwriting). It is a warm, cozy, environment where children and families can feel welcomed, comfortable and safe.
contact
Contact
Phone: 919-321-2183
Fax: 919-321-0609
Email: amy@aptgtherapy.com
Hours
Sunday—Thursday: 8:00AM–6:00PM by appointment.
Client Portal
Existing clients can access scheduling and billing information through the A Place to Grow Client Portal.
resources
Fun Sensory-Motor Activities to do with kids in the Triangle
Over the Moon
Over The Moon Play Space is a brand new, huge indoor play space in Cary, NC, designed for crawlers through age 10(ish).
Learn more
USA NINJA Challenge
Turning Kids into Ninjas One Obstacle at a Time!
Learn more
Three Bears Acres
Three Bears Acres is a recreational farm offering kids activities in Raleigh. Their 50 acre facility offers a place where children can run loose & use their imagination
Learn more
Triangle Rock Club
Triangle Rock Club offers indoor rope climbing, bouldering, functional fitness space, fitness classes, yoga, kids programs, and more.
Learn more
Durham Ropes Courses
Durham Parks Recreation Outdoor Recreation offers both a low and high ropes course option.
Learn more
Laurel Hills Park
Sassafras All Children's Playground at Laurel Hills Park
Learn more
Kids Together Playground
A playground in Cary built in collaboration with Robin Moore, an architect and professor at the Natural Learning Initiative (NLI).
Learn more