Occupational Therapy

Trauma Informed | Neurodiversity Affirming | All Ages

Occupational Therapy (OT) is a practical, hands-on approach to helping children and adults develop, recover, or maintain the skills needed for daily living and working. We work together to improve your ability to perform daily tasks and become more independent to support overall functional well-being.

Because your daily life matters.  

At Mala, your OT treatment and therapy programs are tailored specifically to you or your child’s unique needs. We collaborate and work closely with your entire care team: your psychologist, educators, doctors, and family members to make sure that treatment is accessible and comprehensive. Our team specializes in providing child-led, neurodiverse-affirming services, fostering an environment where every individual is valued and respected for their unique abilities.

Enrollment is now open! Occupational Therapy Sessions will begin on July 22 in our Ann Arbor office and Online/Virtual. Only Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna insurance, and Private Pay options are available at this time.

Who can benefit from Occupational Therapy?

  • Children with Developmental Delays: We provide support for children experiencing delays in motor skills, sensory processing, and social-emotional development, helping them to achieve their fullest potential.

  • Individuals with Mental Health Disorders: Our team offers specialized interventions for those dealing with anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions, focusing on building coping skills and enhancing daily functioning.

  • Neurodiverse Individuals: We adopt a neurodiverse-affirming approach, supporting individuals with autism, ADHD, and other neurodevelopmental differences, promoting their strengths and addressing their unique needs.

  • Adults with Physical Disabilities: We assist adults in regaining independence and improving their quality of life following injuries, surgeries, or illnesses that affect their ability to perform daily activities.

Katy Bachleda, MOT, OTRL

Occupational Therapist

We’re thrilled to introduce Kathryn (Katy) Bachleda MOT, OTRL as our first Occupational Therapist here at Mala. Kathryn is a licensed and board-certified Occupational Therapist with a Master of Occupational Therapy from Eastern Michigan University. Her approach is holistic, inclusive, and client-centered. One of her greatest strengths is tailoring therapy programs to meet the specific needs of each child and family. By actively involving families in the therapeutic process and addressing environmental factors, she works to promote long-term success and independence, fostering resilience, healing, growth, and supporting clients in being their authentic selves.

Our OT Services

  • Our daily living tasks OT services are designed to support children and adults who struggle with essential self-care and daily activities. These challenges may include difficulties with dressing, grooming, meal preparation, and managing household tasks. We provide personalized interventions to enhance fine motor skills, develop effective routines, and promote independence in daily living. By focusing on each individual's unique needs and goals, we aim to improve their ability to perform everyday tasks confidently and autonomously, leading to a higher quality of life and greater overall well-being.

  • Our feeding and eating OT services are tailored for children and adults facing challenges with feeding, eating, and swallowing. These issues can stem from sensory sensitivities, motor coordination difficulties, or behavioral concerns, impacting nutrition and mealtime experiences. We provide individualized assessments and interventions to improve oral-motor skills, enhance sensory processing, and develop positive mealtime behaviors. Through our holistic, trauma-informed approach, we strive to support individuals and their families in achieving healthier, more enjoyable eating experiences and improved overall well-being.

  • Our muscle tone differences OT services are designed for children and adults who experience variations in muscle tone, such as hypotonia (low muscle tone) or hypertonia (high muscle tone), which can impact movement, posture, and daily activities. These challenges may arise from conditions like cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, or other neuromuscular disorders. We provide tailored interventions to enhance muscle strength, improve motor control, and promote functional mobility. Through our compassionate, trauma-informed approach, we help clients achieve greater stability, coordination, and independence in their daily lives, enhancing their overall quality of life.

  • Our parent training OT services are designed to support parents and caregivers of children with diverse needs. These services are ideal for those seeking strategies to enhance their child's development, manage challenging behaviors, and improve daily routines. We offer personalized guidance and practical tools to empower parents, helping them to create supportive home environments that promote their child's independence and well-being. By fostering strong parent-child relationships and effective caregiving practices, we aim to enhance the overall family dynamic and improve the quality of life for both the child and the family.

  • Our praxis and motor coordination OT services are designed for children and adults who experience difficulties with planning and executing movements, often impacting daily functioning and participation in activities. These challenges can affect tasks such as dressing, writing, and playing sports. We provide individualized assessments and interventions to improve motor planning, coordination, and sequencing skills. Through our supportive, trauma-informed approach, we help clients develop the necessary motor skills to navigate their daily lives with greater ease and confidence, enhancing their overall independence and quality of life.

  • Our school advocacy OT services are designed to support children who face challenges in the school environment due to sensory, motor, or cognitive difficulties. These services are ideal for families seeking to ensure their child's educational needs are met through appropriate accommodations and supports. We collaborate with parents, teachers, and school staff to develop individualized education plans (IEPs) and 504 plans, advocate for necessary resources, and provide strategies to enhance the child's learning and participation in school activities. By promoting a supportive and inclusive educational environment, we aim to help children thrive academically and socially.

  • Our sensory processing OT services are designed to help children and adults who experience difficulties with processing sensory information. These challenges can manifest as hypersensitivity or hyposensitivity to sensory stimuli, affecting daily activities and overall well-being. We work with clients to develop personalized strategies that enhance sensory integration, improve motor skills, and increase adaptive responses to sensory input. By addressing these sensory processing issues, we aim to help individuals achieve greater comfort, independence, and participation in everyday life activities.

  • Our strengthening OT services are tailored for children and adults who experience muscle weakness or reduced endurance, which can impact their ability to perform daily activities. These challenges may stem from various conditions, including developmental delays, injuries, or chronic illnesses. We provide personalized strength-building interventions aimed at improving muscle strength, coordination, and overall physical endurance. Through targeted exercises and activities, we help clients enhance their functional abilities, enabling them to participate more fully in everyday tasks and improve their overall quality of life.

  • Our visual processing OT services are designed to assist children and adults experiencing difficulties with visual perception and coordination. These challenges can affect reading, writing, and other daily activities, leading to frustration and decreased performance. We provide individualized assessments and targeted interventions to improve visual-motor integration, spatial awareness, and eye-hand coordination. We aim to enhance clients' visual processing skills, enabling them to achieve greater success and confidence in their daily lives.

Parent Training Group – How Sensory Processing Affects Children

Parent Training Group – How Sensory Processing Affects Children

October 24th 2024, 6 - 8 PM | Free admission

Wonder why some children seem overwhelmed by noise, avoid certain textures, or love to spin, jump, or crash into things? These behaviors may be linked to sensory processing. Join our free training with occupational therapist Katy Bachleda to learn valuable insights on how to help children with sensory processing challenges thrive.

Ann Arbor Open House

October 18th 2024, 5 - 9 PM

Join us as we proudly introduce our new esteemed medical director, Dr. Richard Dopp, and our new occupational therapy program director, Katy Bachleda. Tour our beautiful facility, explore our services, and meet our multidisciplinary team of providers while enjoying refreshments, appetizers, and fun activities for children.

    Ann Arbor Open House    

Enroll Today

In our Ann Arbor office and Online/Virtual.