Meghan Day, MOT, OTR/L

Meghan graduated with her Masters of Occupational Therapy from St. Ambrose University in 2011. She began working in pediatrics following graduation and has dedicated her career to expanding her knowledge in order to provide the best care to the children and families she serves. Meghan has worked in Early Intervention for 10 years. She has experience evaluating and treating children in the home, school, clinic, and community settings. Meghan has extensive training in sensory processing through the Star Institute for Sensory Processing. She uses a relationship based play approach when working with children; specifically those with a diagnosis of autism and/or sensory processing disorder. Meghan is passionate about helping children and their families learn self-regulation strategies while gaining an understanding of how to live a sensory lifestyle that meets each child’s needs. She also has experience in evaluating and treating children with sensory based feeding challenges specifically using the Sequential Oral Sensory approach to feeding. Meghan has also evaluated and treated many children with a variety of genetic conditions and physical disabilities using various treatment techniques including constraint induced movement therapy and splinting. Meghan truly finds joy in developing a positive relationship with each child and their family and is grateful to be able to help children and their families reach their unique goals. Outside of work, Meghan is most likely spending time with her husband and two sons. She also enjoys spending time with extended family and friends, exercising, and reading.

An 8-week program for children age 4-5 with sensory processing differences

Children with sensory processing differences have difficulty with regulation, which sometimes makes it difficult for them to interact with the world around them. Our Sensory Explorers group targets regulation in order to build engagement! This group is led by pediatric occupational therapist Mackenzie Baldock and developmental therapist/PLAY Project Consultant Brenna Thompson, both of whom specialize in using developmentally appropriate strategies to support children so they can learn new skills. Group meets once/week for 60 minutes.

Wondering if this class is appropriate for your child? Some characteristics of kids who benefit: easily frustrated with play, repetitive play, difficulty sitting/keeping still to engage in play, refuses to allow others to engage in play, unable to be messy, overly busy, quickly overwhelmed in a busy environment, picky eater, difficulty tolerating grooming/dressing/diapering routines, struggles with transitions/following a group plan/routine. 

Goals of the group include:

  • Child participating in a variety of sensory play activities
  • Engaging socially with others in the group
  • Providing a non threatening environment where children can experience new sensations with the support of a pediatric Occupational Therapist and PLAY Project consultant
  • Providing personalized resources to caregivers, so they better understand the sensory system and learn strategies to assist their child with regulation outside of group
  • Opportunity to meet with other local families
 
 

GROUP MEETS for 8 weeks:  Caregivers must stay on the premises to support their child and learn helpful strategies. Children will separate from caregivers for the session; caregivers can socialize at our coffee bar in the lobby (we will also provide a few toys for siblings to play). Caregiver education is a key component of this program. 

 

OPTIONAL Summary Report available at close of session. This 2 page report will summarize your child’s participation in the class and provide helpful sensory strategies to increase their participation in activities. This report could be given to teachers in classrooms & daycares or utilized to help educate other caregivers about ways to help your child participate. This option includes a 30 minute Zoom meeting with Brenna and MacKenzie to review the report and discuss your child’s progress in Sensory Explorers. COST: $100 due at sign up