In-Home Pediatric Occupational Therapy Services in Portland
My practice specializes in working with children starting at 12 months of age who experience feeding difficulties, pediatric feeding disorders, developmental disabilities, sensory modulation differences, or oral motor difficulties. I focus on supporting children through their transition to solid foods, fostering self-feeding skills, expanding their food repertoire, and creating smoother, more enjoyable mealtime experiences for both the child and their family. By addressing these challenges together early on, you and I can build a strong foundation for healthy eating habits and positive routines as your children grow.
My Treatment Approaches
Finding a good occupational therapy fit for your child is essential because each child is unique, and their therapy should support their individual needs and strengths. These values represent the pillars of my practice.
A child-led, play-based, and strengths-based approach fosters engagement and joy, making therapy more effective by focusing on activities your child naturally gravitates toward while capitalizing on their skills.
Neurodiversity-affirming care will ensure that my therapy respects and embraces your child’s neurological differences, promoting a positive self-identity and a safe space for expression and all types of play.
A responsive feeding approach prioritizes your child’s autonomy, follows their cues, and helps foster a positive relationship with food. This empowers children to take control of their own eating experience with intrinsic motivation.
A foundational knowledge of sensory integration helps us understand how your child organizes and responds to sensory input in order to remain regulated and learn new skills and adapt to their environment.
Together, these approaches create a dynamic, child-centered environment that fosters growth and development across multiple occupations.
About Me
I am a Vietnamese American pediatric occupational therapist.
I started my occupational therapy career working in a sensory integration clinic and received my certificate in Ayres Sensory Integration to support the foundations of my OT practice for those with developmental disabilities and neurodiversity. After working in California for multiple years, I moved to Oregon to pursue a pediatric fellowship at a children’s hospital. There, I completed clinical rotations in feeding, autism, neurodevelopment, early intervention, and the NICU. In addition, I completed the Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (LEND) training program, which seeks to improve the health of infants, children, and adolescents with disabilities through interdisciplinary training, learning, research, and service. Following the completion of my fellowship, I opened my practice to work with caring families and young children with feeding difficulties for the years to come!
HEAR FROM CAREGIVERS
“Our family has worked with Teresa for over a year now and can confidently say that she is one the most supportive professionals (across disciplines) that we have met.
Her commitment shows through every interaction and visit she facilitates. Teresa can build relationships with children and adults in a genuine and supportive way. Her gentle yet direct style is exactly what our family needs to help us brainstorm ideas and solutions to some of our trickier challenges.
We love Teresa’s warmth , kindness and expertise!! She is willing to go the extra step and look at the whole child rather than just one aspect. We are so grateful for her recommendations and connections to resources that support our child’s development.
Teresa has a grounded and practical approach for ideas that can fit into our everyday routines in a way that helps our child with their day to day functioning and regulation.
We are so lucky to have found Teresa and are so grateful for the energy, commitment and kindness she brings to her field.”
– Parent of a child with complex sensory needs
Hours
Sunday: 9 AM – 4 PM
Monday – Thursday: By Appointment Only
Friday: 9 – 4 PM
Saturday: 9 AM – 4 PM
Occupational Therapy with Teresa Cao 