place to grow

a place to grow

Occupational Therapy

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 am Amy Loesch, OTR/L, an occupational therapist with over 20 years experience.

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, OTR/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

summer camps

We are pleased to once again be offering half day, 5 day camps this summer! Camps will run Monday – Friday, from 9 – 12. Some of the camps for the younger groups will be 4 days.

Although having FUN and making friends will be at the top of our list, the camps are therapy-based. Areas of focus will cater to the needs of the children in the group. Areas that have been addressed in past camps include:

  • Social thinking and friendship building skills (Curriculum/Materials that are often incorporated include activities inspired by: Michelle Garcia Winner’s Social Thinking, Superflex curriculum, Whole Body Listening Larry, The Incredible Flexible You/We Thinkers, Hunter and his Remote Control, Have you Filled a Bucket Today?)
  • Sensory processing and self-regulation skills (e.g. Zones of Regulation, The Incredible 5 Point Scale)
  • Gross motor, motor planning and fine motor skills

Activities may include gym and outdoor time, movement activities, sensory play, games, crafts, cooking and free play.

LEARN MORE | REGISTER NOW

our space

A Place to Grow is located in a dedicated therapy space in pediatric occupational therapist Amy Loesch’s home.

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

3930 Swarthmore Road, Durham, North Carolina 27707

Contact

Phone: 919-321-2183
Fax: 919-321-0609
Email: amy@aptgtherapy.com

Hours

Sunday—Thursday: 8:00AM–6:00PM by appointment.

resources

Fun Sensory-Motor Activities to do with kids in the Triangle

KnockerBall™ Triangle

Knockerball is taking over. It’s fun, contagious, aerobic and will always leave you wanting more!
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

summer camps

We are pleased to once again be offering half day, 5 day camps this summer! Camps will run Monday – Friday, from 9 – 12. Some of the camps for the younger groups will be 4 days.

Although having FUN and making friends will be at the top of our list, the camps are therapy-based. Areas of focus will cater to the needs of the children in the group. Areas that have been addressed in past camps include:

  • Social thinking and friendship building skills (Curriculum/Materials that are often incorporated include activities inspired by: Michelle Garcia Winner’s Social Thinking, Superflex curriculum, Whole Body Listening Larry, The Incredible Flexible You/We Thinkers, Hunter and his Remote Control, Have you Filled a Bucket Today?)
  • Sensory processing and self-regulation skills (e.g. Zones of Regulation, The Incredible 5 Point Scale)
  • Gross motor, motor planning and fine motor skills

Activities may include gym and outdoor time, movement activities, sensory play, games, crafts, cooking and free play.

LEARN MORE | REGISTER NOW