At home
Practice with your child's own toothbrush, spoon, buttons, and bedtime routine.
- Dressing, bathing, and mealtimes
- Sensory-friendly home setup
- Coaching for parents and caregivers
Community-based pediatric OT · Knoxville, TN
Occupational therapy that comes to where your child already is
Bumblebee OT brings therapy to your home, your child's school, and your neighborhood park. Kids build skills in the places they use them every day.
Services
Three places I'll meet you
Every session happens somewhere real, chosen with your family, around the goals that matter most to you.
At school or daycare
With the school's permission, I work in the classroom and share strategies teachers can keep using.
- Handwriting, cutting, and social skills
- Attention, transitions, and self-regulation
- Teamwork with teachers and IEP/504 teams
At the park
Playgrounds, trails, and libraries are great places to build strength and confidence and to make friends.
- Climbing, balance, and coordination
- Turn-taking and play with peers
- Practicing outings that feel hard today
What I help with
Busy little bees need lots of skills
For kids, the everyday "occupations" are playing, learning, taking care of themselves, and making friends. OT helps with any of these that feel harder than they should.
- Fine motor & handwriting
- Sensory processing
- Self-regulation
- Dressing & self-care
- Balance & coordination
- Visual-motor skills
- Feeding & picky eating
- Play & social skills
You might reach out if your child…
- melts down at transitions or in busy places
- is bothered by tags, socks, or haircuts
- avoids crayons, scissors, or the playground
- needs lots of help getting dressed or brushing teeth
- is a very picky eater or refuses new foods
- was recommended OT by a teacher or doctor
How it works
From first call to first session
Free phone call
A 15-minute call to hear your concerns and see whether OT is a good fit.
Evaluation
An assessment in your child's everyday setting, followed by a written report.
Your plan
You and I set goals together and choose where sessions happen: home, school, park, or a mix.
Sessions
Play-based visits, plus simple strategies you can use between them.
About
Hi, I'm Julia
I'm a pediatric occupational therapist with more than 10 years of experience in early intervention, schools, hospitals, mental health, rehab, and private practice. I've worked across the lifespan, but my favorite place to be is on the floor (or the monkey bars) with kids, building the skills they need for the things they love to do and need to do every day.
In the clinic, I kept seeing kids master a skill in the therapy room, only for it not to make it home. So I started bringing therapy to where life actually happens: your kitchen, your child's classroom, the park down the street. My approach is play-based, child-led, and strengths-focused. I meet your child where they are and work right alongside you, because you know your child best.
Why Bumblebee? We're all busy as bees, but even bumblebees make time to play.
When I'm off the clock, you'll find me exploring local coffee shops, baking sourdough, out on my bike, or learning to line dance.
M.S. in Occupational Therapy, San Jose State University · B.A. in Psychology, Southern New Hampshire University · A.S. in Occupational Therapy, Penn State
Questions
FAQ
Don't see your question? Call or email me anytime.
What ages do you work with?
Children and young adults from birth through age 21.
Do you take insurance?
Right now I work with private-pay families. I'm in the process of getting credentialed with insurance companies, so if you'd like me to work with your plan, reach out and tell me which one. Your request helps me decide which insurers to add first.
How long are sessions?
Sessions are typically 60 minutes, usually once or twice a week depending on your child's goals.
What if it rains on a park day?
We can put on our rain jackets, move the session indoors, or reschedule at no charge.
Contact
Let's talk about your child
Send a note and I'll reply within two business days to set up your free phone call.
- Phone
- (865) 468-1055