Elk Grove Village, Illinois
Your child's report card from CCSD 59 looks fine. But you watch him hold a pencil in a fist grip in second grade. She still can't cut along a line. He refuses to wear jeans. The teacher says he'll grow out of it. You're not so sure. Pediatric occupational therapy for Elk Grove Village families can help you get clear answers and real strategies for what to do at home.
Your therapist
Laura O'Brien, OTR/L, has spent more than thirty years helping families who can see the problem but can't get anyone else to take it seriously yet. She doesn't just work with your child. She teaches you what to do between sessions so the progress shows up in your morning routine, at the dinner table, and on the playground in Elk Grove Village.
CCSD 59 is one of the largest elementary districts in the northwest suburbs. It serves parts of Elk Grove Village, Arlington Heights, Mount Prospect, and Des Plaines. With 11 elementary schools and 3 junior highs, your child's school might not even be in the town where you live. That can make it confusing to know what services are available and who to ask. Laura helps families sort through that.
Last reviewed: April 2026
What parents tell Laura
These aren't attitude problems. They're signs your child may be working through sensory processing, motor planning, or other foundational skills that affect life well beyond the classroom.
Understanding your options
CCSD 59 provides occupational therapy as a related service through your child's IEP. The district runs 11 elementary schools, 3 junior highs, and an early learning center with coordinator Melissa Ward overseeing early childhood services. School OT typically focuses on handwriting, scissors skills, and in-class sensory strategies during the school day.
Getting dressed in the morning. Tolerating the feel of new clothes. Eating meals with the family. Playing catch with siblings. Managing a meltdown at Target. School OT is built around educational access only. Once IEP goals are met, services can end even if your child still struggles with everything outside the classroom.
That's where private OT fills the gap. Laura works on the life skills that matter at home and in your Elk Grove Village community. Many families use both school and private OT because they address different parts of the day.
In-person and Zoom
Your child sits at the kitchen counter while Laura walks you through a fine motor warm-up using rubber bands and coins from a jar. She shows you how to set up a homework station that reduces sensory distractions. You learn why a one-minute "heavy work" break before writing can improve his pencil grip for the next fifteen minutes.
Fifteen minutes from Elk Grove Village. Your child climbs, swings, and crawls through obstacle courses that build coordination and body awareness. We practice shoe tying on an unsteady surface so balance and fine motor skills work together. You watch, ask questions, and leave with strategies for the week.
Either way, you leave every session knowing exactly what to do between appointments.
Parent strategies
Before homework: Have your child carry a stack of heavy books from one room to another, two or three trips. This "heavy work" activates the proprioceptive system. Within a few minutes you may notice better sitting posture and improved pencil control. Try it right after school, before the backpack even opens.
During morning dressing: Let your child pick clothes the night before and sleep with them under the pillow. Fabric that has been pressed and warmed by body heat overnight often feels softer and less scratchy in the morning. Watch for fewer complaints about tags and seams, especially with socks.
Common questions
School OT targets classroom performance. If your child still struggles with daily routines at home, has difficulty in community settings, or needs more sensory support than the school day provides, private OT can fill in those gaps. Many Elk Grove Village families use both because they address different parts of the day.
Yes. Many Elk Grove Village families choose telehealth. Laura mails you specific materials and guides you through activities using items from your home. Some families alternate between Zoom and in-person visits to the Des Plaines sensory gym, about 15 minutes away.
Trust what you see at home. If daily tasks feel harder than they should, if your child avoids certain textures or activities, or if sensory reactions disrupt family routines, an evaluation can help clarify what is happening and what to do about it. Common signs: difficulty with self-care compared to peers, extreme reactions to sounds or textures, poor coordination, avoidance of messy play.
Getting started
Start with a free screening form to help Laura understand your child's needs. Many Elk Grove Village families come to Laura unsure whether what they're seeing warrants OT. That's exactly what the screening is for. Call with questions about how private OT can work alongside your child's school program.