If your child is already in weekly therapy, or you are just starting to look, you may have heard about intensive programs and wondered whether your child needs one. There is no single right answer. Both formats use the same play-based, child-led approach. The difference is how often your child gets support, in what setting, and what that makes possible.
This guide walks through how each one works at Tumble N’ Dots, who tends to benefit from each, and how to decide.
What weekly therapy looks like
Weekly therapy is where most families start.
- One-on-one sessions. Sessions are typically 50 minutes. Most children come once a week.
- The same therapist each week. Your child builds a relationship with one therapist who gets to know your family.
- You are welcome in the room. Watching what works is a big part of how strategies make it home.
- Clear goals. Goals are set at three and six months, with a formal re-evaluation every six months.
Weekly therapy works well when your child needs focused help with specific skills and the rest of their day is going reasonably well.
What intensive therapy looks like
Intensive therapy means more therapy, more often. Instead of one session a week, your child gets support several days a week, so skills build through repetition, consistency, and a deeper connection with the therapy team. The goal is not to push children harder. It is to support them more effectively.
We offer two year-round intensive programs for the 2026 to 2027 school year, which runs from August 18, 2026 to June 4, 2027:
Intensive Therapeutic Program (ages 3 to 5)
- 9:00am to 12:00pm, 2, 3, or 5 days per week
- Led by occupational therapists and speech-language pathologists, with a feeding therapist regularly part of the team
- A small group in a social setting, with therapy goals woven directly into play
- Uses principles from Ayres Sensory Integration and DIR Floortime
- Focuses on social connection, emotional regulation, sensory processing, communication, motor skills, and executive functioning
Learn more about the Intensive Therapeutic Program.
Tumble N’ Grow (kindergarten to 2nd grade)
- 9:00am to 1:00pm, Monday to Friday
- Led by occupational therapists and speech-language pathologists, with a feeding therapist regularly part of the team
- Combines therapy strategies with hands-on learning, including literacy, math games, science projects, and storytelling
- Supports the growing academic, social, and emotional demands of the early school years
Learn more about Tumble N’ Grow.
We also run therapist-led school break camps over winter break, spring break, and summer.
Side by side
| Weekly therapy | Intensive programs | |
|---|---|---|
| How often | Usually once a week | 2 to 5 mornings a week (ITP) or 5 days a week (Tumble N’ Grow) |
| Format | One-on-one, typically 50 minutes | Small group, 3 to 4 hours |
| Who leads | Your child’s therapist | A team of OTs, speech-language pathologists, and a feeding therapist |
| Who your child practices with | Their therapist, one-on-one | Peers, with therapists right there |
| Timeline | Ongoing, with goals reviewed every three and six months | A full program year, August to June |
| Best for | Targeted skills when daily life is mostly working | Children who need more support, more often, across many areas |
Signs an intensive program may be a good fit
- Your child has plateaued in weekly therapy
- Regulation, transitions, or anxiety make most of the day hard, not just one part of it
- Meltdowns or shutdowns happen often at home or school
- Your child does better in a therapeutic setting than in a traditional preschool or classroom
- Your child needs support to participate in school, social settings, or daily routines
- Goals span several areas, such as sensory, motor, communication, and social skills
Families sometimes tell us their child is working so hard, yet daily life still feels hard. That gap is often a sign that more support, more often, could help.
Signs weekly therapy may be enough
- Your child is working on a specific skill, such as handwriting or dressing
- Preschool or school is generally going well
- Your child is making steady progress toward their goals
- Your family’s schedule works better with one regular appointment
Questions to ask yourself
- Is the hard part of my child’s day one skill, or most of the day?
- Has progress slowed even though we’ve been consistent?
- Would my child benefit from practicing skills with other kids, with therapists right there?
- Does my child’s current preschool or classroom feel like the right fit?
- Can our family commit to a program year?
If you’re unsure, that’s normal. These are good questions to bring to a tour or to your child’s therapist.
Cost and insurance
Intensive programs are billed monthly. We don’t bill insurance directly, but we provide a detailed superbill you can submit for possible out-of-network reimbursement. Current pricing is listed on each program page. Read What Is a Superbill? to learn how reimbursement works.
How to join an intensive program
- Schedule a tour. See the space and meet the therapy team.
- Intake session. A play-based session where we observe your child’s strengths and support needs.
- Enrollment. Once we confirm the program is a good fit, you complete enrollment to secure a spot.
Already a Tumble N’ Dots client? Talk with your treating therapist about whether an intensive program makes sense for your child. Groups are small and spots are limited, so ask about current availability.
Not sure which path fits? Come see the clinic and talk it through with us. Schedule a tour of our clinic or book a free phone consult.
This article is general information for parents and is not a substitute for an individualized evaluation.