Occupational Therapy Services
Click on each service or approach listed to the right to learn more about what Flex Therapy can provide to you and your family. Due to our hybrid model of providing services in an office, in the home, and in the community, we are able to work comfortably with individuals with a variety of support needs.
We offer free consultations via phone or Zoom to discuss your specific concerns and needs.
-
Adaptive skills, also known as activities of daily living (ADLs), are the essential skills required to independently navigate and function in daily life. Occupational therapy focuses on promoting and enhancing these adaptive skills to support individuals in achieving greater independence and participation in self-care, productivity, and leisure activities. Adaptive skills encompass a range of tasks such as bathing, dressing, grooming, feeding, toileting, household chores, meal preparation, and managing personal finances. Occupational therapists assess and address any difficulties individuals may have in these areas, providing interventions and strategies to develop or regain skills, adapt the environment, and utilize assistive devices or techniques to promote optimal functioning and quality of life.
-
Sensory integration training is an approach used in occupational therapy to address difficulties in sensory processing and integration. It aims to help individuals effectively and appropriately process and respond to sensory information from their environment. Sensory integration training involves engaging individuals in purposeful activities that stimulate the senses, such as touch, movement, sound, and proprioception. Through repetitive and controlled sensory experiences, the therapist helps individuals regulate their responses to sensory input and develop more efficient sensory processing skills. This can improve attention, focus, motor coordination, self-regulation, and overall participation in daily activities. Sensory integration training is often tailored to meet the specific needs of each individual, and the therapist works closely with the individual to create a supportive and structured environment for sensory exploration and integration.
-
Fine motor skills refer to the ability to control and coordinate small muscles in the body, particularly those in the hands and fingers, with precision and dexterity. These skills involve intricate movements and are essential for tasks that require precise control, such as writing, drawing, buttoning clothes, using utensils, and manipulating small objects.
-
Occupational therapy (OT) addresses developmental play skills by helping children develop the physical, cognitive, and social abilities needed for meaningful and age-appropriate play. Through play-based activities, OT focuses on improving fine and gross motor skills, hand-eye coordination, sensory processing, and problem-solving abilities. Therapists also work on enhancing social interactions, turn-taking, and communication skills during play. For children with developmental delays, sensory processing disorders, or autism, OT tailors interventions to support their unique needs, fostering creativity, independence, and engagement in play, which is essential for learning and overall development.
-
Occupational therapy addresses behavior by focusing on the connection between self-regulation and behavior. Challenging behaviors often arise when children struggle with regulating their sensory input or emotions. OT helps by first addressing sensory processing and self-regulation, teaching children how to manage sensory stimuli and emotional responses. This may involve sensory integration techniques, calming strategies, and activities that promote body awareness and emotional control. As children improve in these areas, their ability to regulate themselves increases, which in turn leads to more positive behavior and improved social interactions.
Our Company and Philosophy
Flex Therapy is a therapist-owned company offering Speech-Language Pathology, Occupational Therapy, and Physical Therapy services in our office in Wasilla, Alaska. We provide high-quality therapeutic interventions to individuals across the lifespan, but currently the Flex Therapy office in Wasilla is geared toward serving pediatrics.
Flex Home Therapy Services, LLC has been serving individuals in Palmer, Wasilla, and the surrounding areas since 2019. In 2022, the need and demand for our services exceeded our ability to provide all of our services in the home setting. We then opened an office in central Wasilla, and now do business as "Flex Therapy" to reflect that these services are provided in an office setting and not in the home. Home visits for adults and children may be scheduled with Flex Therapy or Flex Home Therapy Services.
At Flex Therapy, we build meaningful relationships with the families we work with to make therapy a positive experience for all involved. Our clients and their families are always encouraged to share the details of their lives with our team, as this helps our therapists to make sure they are providing individualized care.
Our clinic provides a neurodiversity-affirming environment, focusing on facilitating functional skills, regulation, and effective communication. When interacting with our pediatric clients, our therapists use gentle, respectful, and authoritative communication approaches and behavior management strategies.
Depending on our pediatric clients' age and unique needs, therapy may be play-based or it may be appear more structured in nature. If families ever have any questions about the approaches or techniques that our therapists are using, we are happy to share our knowledge and expertise!
