Frequently Asked Questions

We know that finding the right support for your child can come with a lot of questions. Here are answers to some of the questions families most often ask about PlaySpace and getting started with services.

Getting Started

How do I get started at PlaySpace?

Getting started is easy! Complete our online contact form (the fastest way to reach us) or email us at info@playspacetherapy.org. Please include your phone number and your child's name and date of birth so we can best assist you.

Once we receive your inquiry, we'll schedule a brief phone call to learn more about your child, discuss your concerns, and determine the best next steps.

For most children, the next step is an evaluation. Following the evaluation, you will receive a written report with our findings and recommendations. We also offer an optional parent meeting to review the report, answer questions, and discuss recommendations and next steps.

Does my child need a referral or diagnosis to receive services?

No. Because PlaySpace is a private-pay practice, families can contact us directly without a physician's referral, and your child does not need to have a medical or developmental diagnosis to receive services.

If you plan to seek reimbursement from your insurance company, we recommend checking with your individual plan to see whether they require a physician's referral or other documentation for out-of-network reimbursement.

Does my child need an evaluation before starting therapy?

Yes. If your child does not have a recent occupational therapy evaluation, an evaluation at PlaySpace will be the first step before beginning treatment.

If your child has had a recent OT evaluation through their school or another clinic, we are happy to review it. Based on the information provided and your child's current needs, we will determine whether any supplemental assessment or observations are needed before beginning therapy.

Therapy at PlaySpace

How long are therapy sessions?

Our standard individual therapy session is 50 minutes.

Brief conversations with parents and caregivers following therapy sessions are an important part of the therapy process and allow your therapist to share observations, progress, strategies, and recommendations.

How often will my child come to therapy?

Following an evaluation or screening, we'll recommend a treatment plan based on your child's individual needs, including the suggested frequency and duration of therapy.

Many children attend therapy once or twice per week, although recommendations vary depending on each child's needs and goals.

What ages do you work with?

PlaySpace works with children from infancy through the teenage years. We also have occasional availability for adults seeking sensory processing support on days when no pediatric clients are present.

What kinds of concerns do you work with?

Our therapists support children in a wide range of areas, including sensory processing and regulation, interoception, fine and gross motor skills, coordination and motor planning, visual-motor and visual-perceptual skills, handwriting, self-care and daily living skills, feeding and oral-motor skills, speech and language, and executive functioning.

Because every child is different, evaluations and treatment plans are individualized to address each child's particular strengths and areas of need.

How do I know if my child might benefit from occupational therapy?

Children may benefit from occupational therapy when challenges with sensory processing, motor skills, coordination, self-regulation, attention, daily routines, handwriting, feeding, or other everyday activities are interfering with their ability to participate successfully at home, at school, or in the community.

If you're unsure whether OT is appropriate for your child, please reach out. A brief conversation can help us determine whether an evaluation, consultation, or another service would be a good next step.

What happens during an occupational therapy evaluation?

Evaluations are individualized based on your child's age, history, and areas of concern. Depending on your child's needs, we may assess areas such as sensory processing, fine and gross motor skills, coordination and motor planning, visual-motor and visual-perceptual skills, handwriting, self-care, and other areas of daily functioning.

Following a comprehensive evaluation, you will receive a written report outlining our findings and recommendations. An optional parent meeting is also available to review the report, answer questions, and discuss next steps.

Insurance & Rates

Do you accept insurance?

No. PlaySpace is a private-pay practice and does not bill insurance directly.

We can provide a superbill with the appropriate insurance codes that you may submit to your insurance company for possible out-of-network reimbursement. Coverage varies by plan, and we recommend contacting your insurance provider to learn more about your out-of-network benefits.

If your insurance plan does not have an appropriate in-network provider available to meet your child's needs, you may also want to ask about a network gap exception (sometimes called a network deficiency exception). If approved, your insurer may reimburse services at a higher or potentially in-network rate. Approval is determined by your individual insurance company.

What are your rates?

  • OT Assessment with Full Report:  $1000 

  • OT Assessment with Summary: $600

  • EASI (Evaluation in Ayres Sensory Integration) Assessment and report: $1000

  • Post Evaluation Parent Meeting (optional): $100

  • Speech Assessment & Report: $475

  • Feeding Assessment & Report: $475

  • Feeding Assessment & Verbal Summary: $375

  • OT Treatment: $180/session (50 minutes)

  • Speech/Language Treatment: $180/session (50 minutes)

  • Feeding Treatment: $185/session (50 minutes)

  • OT Screening with Child (one-time appointment): $200/session (60 minutes)

Can I use an HSA or FSA to pay for therapy?

Many families are able to use HSA or FSA funds for eligible therapy services. Because individual plans vary, we recommend confirming eligibility with your HSA or FSA administrator.

Scheduling & Illness

What is your cancellation policy?

We ask that families provide at least 24 hours' notice when canceling or rescheduling an appointment. Appointments canceled with less than 24 hours' notice are charged the full session rate.

Unexpected illness is an exception. We understand that children can become sick with little warning, and families are not charged for last-minute cancellations due to illness. We want sick children to stay home, rest, and return to therapy when they're feeling better.

Is therapy private, or are other children in the gym?

Our main therapy gym is a shared treatment space, but we intentionally keep it small. There are no more than two therapists and two children receiving treatment in the main space at one time.

This allows children to enjoy the benefits of our large, active therapy environment while keeping sessions individualized.

Do you do IEEs?

Yes, we have limited availability for Independent Educational Evaluations (IEEs). Please submit as much information as possible duri your form submission.

Are farm animals part of therapy?

PlaySpace is located on a small urban farm, and the animals are a much-loved part of the environment.

Children may have opportunities to see or interact with some of the farm animals, such as feeding the goats through the fence, when accompanied by their therapist and with appropriate safety and hygiene precautions.

The animals remain behind their designated fences, and children only interact with them with permission and supervision from their therapist.

Where is PlaySpace located?

PlaySpace is located in the Walnut Heights neighborhood of Walnut Creek, California, in a unique residential urban-ranch setting.

For the privacy of the property, our exact address is provided directly to families coming to PlaySpace.