Speech and Occupational Therapy for Kids

Speech and Occupational Therapy for Kids

Children with sensory, communication, or developmental challenges often benefit from speech and occupational therapy. For many families in New Jersey, knowing where to start — and how these therapies differ — can feel confusing. This guide is written for parents and caregivers seeking clarity and direction.

NJCMO does not provide direct therapy services. Instead, the organization helps families connect with the trusted professionals and programs across New Jersey that provide the care children need to thrive.

What Are Speech and Occupational Therapy Services?

Speech therapy (also known as speech-language pathology) focuses on helping children develop, improve, or restore communication and swallowing skills. According to New Jersey’s licensing rules (N.J. Admin. Code § 13:44C-7.2), licensed speech-language pathologists may assess, diagnose, and treat challenges with speech, language, voice, fluency, and cognitive-communication skills.

Occupational therapy (OT), on the other hand, helps children build independence in everyday life. This can include improving fine motor skills, sensory processing, balance, play, self-care, and attention. In New Jersey, licensed occupational therapists are regulated under the Occupational Therapy Advisory Council and are trained to help children gain the developmental and sensory skills needed for daily success.

When families refer to speech and occupational therapy together, it often means that a child receives both types of services — a coordinated approach that supports communication, sensory regulation, and overall development.

How Does Occupational Therapy Help Speech?

Occupational therapy can play an important role in supporting speech development—especially when communication difficulties are linked to motor or sensory challenges.

• Some children with speech delays or childhood apraxia of speech have trouble controlling the muscles needed for articulation. Occupational therapy can help improve oral-motor strength, coordination, and awareness.
• Sensory regulation is another key factor. A child who becomes easily overstimulated or distracted may struggle to focus during speech sessions. OT can help the child regulate sensory input, improving engagement and attention.
• OT and speech therapy frequently work hand in hand. While the speech therapist focuses on communication goals, the occupational therapist helps build the sensory and motor foundation needed to support them.

In short, occupational therapy complements speech therapy by helping children develop the underlying sensory and motor skills that make communication easier.

Pediatric Sensory and Communication Challenges: Why Combined Therapies Matter

Children who struggle with sensory processing often face additional barriers to learning and communication. They may overreact to certain sounds or textures, or have difficulty staying focused. These challenges can directly impact how well they engage in speech therapy or classroom activities.

For example:

• A child who avoids touching different food textures may resist oral-motor exercises used in speech therapy.
• Overstimulation can cause behavioral reactions, making it difficult to focus on language practice.
• Weak fine or oral motor skills can make it harder to pronounce words clearly.

This is why pediatric therapy teams often recommend combined speech and occupational therapy. The occupational therapist helps the child manage sensory input and body awareness, while the speech therapist builds communication and language abilities. Together, they address both the physical and cognitive sides of development, helping children gain confidence and independence.

Occupational Therapy vs. Speech Therapy: Key Differences

While both occupational therapy and speech therapy support a child’s overall development, they focus on different areas — and often work best when combined. 

Occupational therapy (OT) helps children build independence in daily life. Therapists work on fine motor skills, sensory processing, coordination, and self-care abilities such as dressing, handwriting, and feeding. OT also helps children learn to regulate sensory experiences so they can focus, play, and participate effectively at home or school.

Speech therapy, or speech-language pathology, focuses on communication — helping children develop speech clarity, language comprehension, articulation, fluency, and swallowing or feeding skills. Speech therapists work to strengthen the muscles and coordination needed for clear speech and safe eating.

Here’s a quick breakdown of how they differ and overlap:

• Focus Areas:
  • Occupational therapy supports how children interact with their environment — from holding a pencil to managing sensory input.
  • Speech therapy supports how children express themselves and understand others, including oral-motor skills used for speaking and feeding.
• Therapy Goals:
  • OT aims to improve functional independence and sensory regulation.
  • Speech therapy aims to enhance communication, articulation, and language comprehension.
• Overlap:
  • Children with autism, ADHD, or sensory processing disorders often benefit from both therapies.
  • Therapists frequently collaborate, ensuring that sensory or motor challenges addressed in OT reinforce progress made in speech sessions.

In short, occupational therapy and speech therapy are complementary, not competing. When integrated, they help children strengthen both their ability to regulate and their ability to communicate — two essential pillars of development.

How Long Does a Child Need Occupational Therapy?

Parents often ask, “How long does a child need occupational therapy?” The truth is that it varies from child to child.

The length of therapy depends on several factors:

• The child’s age and specific challenges
• The severity of motor or sensory delays
• How consistently therapy is attended
• Family participation and follow-through at home

Some children may benefit from a few months of support, while others need ongoing therapy over several years. The ultimate goal is progress — helping children gain independence, not dependency, on therapy.

Getting Started

Navigating therapy options can feel overwhelming — especially when your child needs help across multiple areas of development. The good news is that you don’t have to figure it out alone.

If you’re unsure whether your child needs speech therapy, occupational therapy, or both, your first step is to speak with your pediatrician. They can guide you toward a developmental evaluation or a referral for therapy services. From there, NJCMO can help connect your family with local resources that provide access to qualified professionals.

NJCMO’s care management approach ensures that families receive:

• Personalized guidance on available supports for speech, sensory, and behavioral needs
• Coordination with state-licensed providers and community-based programs
• Assistance navigating PerformCare and CSOC services for children up to age 21

Every child’s journey looks different, but the goal remains the same — helping them grow, communicate, and thrive in their own way.

For more information about connecting with therapy services or other child and family supports in New Jersey, visit NJCMO.org.

For related NJCMO services, see:

• Occupational Therapy Services for Kids
• Occupational Therapy for Autism
• Occupational Therapy for Kids with ADHD
• Occupational Therapy for Behavior Issues
• Occupational Therapy for Sensory Issues

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