Take the First Step to everyday independence:

your free one-hour consultation

Concerned about your child’s sensory challenges or school readiness?

Our expert occupational therapy services can support your child or loved one. Whether it’s autism, ADHD, sensory processing disorder, or motor delays, our compassionate team is here to help your child thrive.

Is your child facing challenges such as:

Dressing, eating, or using school tools such as pencils or scissors?
Sensory sensitivities or meltdowns in noisy or bright environments?
Delays in crawling, walking, climbing, or hand coordination?
Trouble focusing, sitting still, or following routines?

At Esperanza, we support your child’s unique journey through gentle, child-led occupational therapy. Our experienced occupational therapists work closely with speech and behavioural therapists to help each child feel confident, independent, and ready for life.

What makes Esperanza the preferred choice for families in Dubai

Free First Steps Consultation – A relaxed, free one-hour session where our occupational therapists gently observe and guide your family with care.

Experienced Therapists – Each occupational therapist brings over 7 years of hands-on expertise.

Family-Centered Approach – We include parents in therapy and give you practical strategies to use at home.

Evidence-Based Programmes – We use proven approaches such as Zones of Regulation®, Sensory Integration Therapy, and more.

Purpose-Built Facility – Our spacious 2,200 sq ft clinic features six therapy rooms and a fully equipped sensory integration space.

Understanding your child's development: key milestones

By 6 months:

Reaches, rolls, and explores hands through play
Enjoys movement activities like bouncing and tummy time

By 12 months:

Uses thumb and finger to pick up small objects
Begins pulling up to stand and cruising along furniture

By 2 years:

Feeds self with a spoon with growing independence
Walks up steps and kicks a ball with balance and coordination

By 3 years:

Puts on simple clothing (like caps or shoes)
Draws circles and stacks blocks or towers

If you’re unsure whether your child is meeting age-appropriate milestones, our experienced
occupational therapists can help.

Get your FREE Milestones Guide when you book a consultation with one of our Occupational Therapists.

1 in 5 children may experience developmental delays.

Every baby grows and learns at their own pace, and no two developmental journeys are exactly alike. That’s why early recognition of any delays is so important, and why consulting a qualified occupational therapy provider can make all the difference.

With early occupational therapy support, children can achieve meaningful progress in their daily skills, social interactions, learning, and confidence. Taking action early helps build a strong foundation, empowering your child for a lifetime of success and independence.

How Occupational Therapy helps children and adults

At Esperanza Speech and Occupational Therapy Centre, our dedicated Occupational Therapists provide evidence-based, compassionate support tailored for both children and adults.

For Children

Sensory processing therapy – Support for children who over- or under-react to sounds, textures, or movement.

Fine motor skill development – Improves skills for writing, cutting, tying shoelaces, and more.

Gross motor skill therapy – Enhances balance, coordination, and body awareness for everyday play and movement.

Self-care independence – Supports dressing, feeding, hygiene, and toilet training.

Autism and ADHD therapy – Helps children with attention, emotional regulation, routines, and classroom behaviour.

Handwriting support – Improves grip strength, letter formation, and endurance for writing tasks.

For Adults

Hand therapy and rehabilitation – Support for post-injury recovery, stroke, arthritis, or nerve conditions.

Stroke rehabilitation therapy – Targeted occupational therapy to support recovery after stroke; improving mobility,
coordination, self-care, and independence in daily living.

Our experienced team of speech therapists, occupational therapists, and behavioural specialists work together, using evidence-based practices, to help every child communicate, connect, and thrive.

Parent voices - real progress, real hope

Rated 5.0 on Google – Trusted by over 1,000 UAE families!

Esperanza Speech and Occupational Therapy Centre transforms early childhood development through its innovative, child-focused approach. Guided by expert therapists, including the exceptional occupational therapist Ms. Ermia, it provides outstanding support.  

Leni Cleetus

The service and the communication are amazing. The specialist Ms. Asra is very professional and friendly. My son loves her a lot and happily goes for his speech therapy sessions. I highly recommend Esperanza!

suzy sassi

Esperanza has been life-changing for our son. Social skills training helped him build confidence, make friends, and express himself, while occupational therapy improved his coordination and daily tasks. 

Lisandra Garcia

Your journey with Esperanza

Step 1: Book Consultation

WhatsApp or call us to
schedule your free
60-minute session.

Step 2: Meet Our Therapists

Attend a relaxed, family-
focused session
with an expert.

Step 3: Get a Personalised Plan

Receive clear next steps
tailored for your
child’s needs.

Step 4: Begin the Journey

If recommended, begin
therapy and receive 50% off
your first full assessment.

Over 1,000 UAE families trust Esperanza with the First Steps Consultation. 
Limited consultations available weekly – book now to secure your spot!

We offer holistic therapy to address every need.

At Esperanza, every therapy plan is personalised and rooted in the latest evidence-based research.

Occupational Therapy

Empowering children with the motor, sensory, and self-help skills needed for independence and daily living.

Sensory integration therapy to support emotional regulation and attention
Fine and gross motor skill development for school readiness and everyday activities
Handwriting and coordination improvement to boost classroom confidence
Self-care training for tasks like dressing, feeding, and toileting
Support for attention, focus, and daily routines, especially in children with autism or ADHD

Speech-Language Therapy

Helping children build clear speech, strong language skills, and confident communication. 

Late talking and speech delay intervention
Autism-related communication challenges
Stuttering therapy and articulation improvement
Feeding therapy and oral motor development
AAC – Alternative Communication for non-verbal children

Social Skills Training

Supporting children in making friendships, understanding emotions, and communicating effectively in groups. 

Turn-taking, sharing, and cooperative play
Understanding facial expressions and body language
Building peer relationships and empathy
Improving conversation and group interaction skills
Guided practice through role play and social stories

Behavioural Therapy

Evidence-based strategies to promote positive behaviour, emotional regulation, and focus, especially for children with autism and ADHD. 

Managing challenging behaviours at home and school
Improving attention span and reducing impulsivity
Developing coping strategies and emotional control
Creating structured routines and clear expectations
Parent training for consistency and follow-through

Psychology Services

Professional support for children’s mental health, including anxiety management, mood regulation, ADHD, and autism spectrum needs. 

Emotional support for anxiety, low mood, and self-esteem
Assessment and guidance for ADHD and autism-related challenges
Coping strategies for stress, change, and big emotions
Behavioural and emotional goal setting with children and families
Parent consultation and mental health education

See the complete list of therapies and conditions we support

Occupational therapies and interventions we offer

Fine motor skills development
Gross motor skills therapy
Handwriting improvement therapy
Sensory integration therapy
Visual motor integration therapy
Hand therapy for children and adults
Occupational therapy for developmental delays
Self-care skills training (feeding, dressing, toileting)
Adaptive equipment training
Motor coordination therapy
Occupational therapy for autism
Pediatric occupational therapy for children in Dubai
Play-based occupational therapy
School readiness and attention training
Occupational therapy for ADHD
Behavioural regulation and self-management
Executive functioning skills interventions
Cognitive rehabilitation therapy
Occupational therapy for cerebral palsy
Fine motor dexterity and handwriting programs
Sensory processing disorder interventions
Visual perception and spatial awareness training
Home-based occupational therapy in Dubai
Feeding and swallowing (feeding therapy)
Functional mobility and balance training
Adaptive play and leisure skills therapy
Daily living skills (ADLs) rehabilitation
Occupational therapy for learning disabilities
Parent coaching for therapy carryover
Telehealth occupational therapy sessions
Rehabilitation for neurological conditions
Post-surgical occupational rehabilitation
Geriatric occupational therapy
Occupational therapy for stroke rehabilitation
Hand function and strength rehabilitation
Orthopaedic occupational therapy

Conditions we support

Sensory processing disorders
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
Developmental coordination disorder (DCD)
Fine motor delay in children
Cerebral palsy
Handwriting challenges in Dubai students
Delayed motor milestones
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Learning difficulties and disabilities
Down syndrome occupational therapy
Stroke rehabilitation and recovery
Traumatic brain injury rehabilitation
Paediatric neurological disorders
Genetic and chromosomal conditions
Orthopaedic injuries and hand therapy
Feeding and swallowing disorders
Visual-motor integration deficits
Geriatric and elderly rehabilitation
Social and play skills deficits
Behavioural regulation and emotional control issues
Executive function and planning difficulties
Post-surgical occupational therapy
Hand and upper limb injuries
Cognitive and perceptual deficits

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Occupational Therapy?

Occupational Therapy helps your child participate more fully in the activities that matter most, whether that’s holding a pencil, making friends at school, or getting dressed independently. We work with children and adults to build practical skills for daily life, so they can feel more confident and capable.

Where is Esperanza located, and how do I book?

Esperanza’s purpose-built clinic is in the Zomorrodah Building in Karama, just a few minutes from Bur Dubai, Oud Metha and Dubai Healthcare City, with spacious therapy rooms and a fully equipped sensory integration space.

The easiest way to book your free “First Steps” consultation is by messaging our team on WhatsApp or calling +971 55 524 1094, or by filling in the enquiry form on our website. We’ll respond promptly to arrange a time that works for you.

How can Occupational Therapy help my child?

Occupational Therapy can help your child:

Hold a pencil, use scissors, and write more easily, so schoolwork feels less frustrating
Manage sensitivity to sounds, textures, or movement, so outings, mealtimes and play feel calmer
Dress, feed and manage daily routines independently, so mornings and evenings run more smoothly
Build attention and focus, particularly helpful for children navigating autism, ADHD or sensory processing differences
Build social confidence and classroom readiness, so they feel comfortable joining in

What does an Occupational Therapist do during therapy?

An occupational therapist at Esperanza works through a personalised, child-led process rather than a fixed programme. This typically includes:

Assessment: observing your child’s abilities and daily challenges
Goal setting: working with your family to agree on goals that matter most to you
Therapy sessions: play-based, purposeful activities that are clinically guided and built around your child’s specific goals, covering motor, sensory, cognitive and self-care skills
Adaptive strategies: practical ways to make daily tasks easier, sometimes using assistive tools
Family coaching: guidance on supporting progress at home and in the community
Team collaboration: close coordination with speech therapists and other specialists for a joined-up approach

What qualifications do Esperanza's Occupational Therapists hold?

All Esperanza occupational therapists hold a recognised degree in Occupational Therapy and are DHA licensed to practise in Dubai . Each therapist brings over seven years of clinical experience, with a dedicated focus on supporting children with diverse developmental needs. We’d be happy to share individual therapist profiles during your consultation.

How do I know if my child might benefit from Occupational Therapy?

Parents often tell us they notice their child:

Struggling with everyday tasks like dressing, eating, or holding a pencil
Having unusually strong reactions to noise, textures, or movement
Falling behind peers in coordination, balance, or hand skills
Finding it hard to settle, focus, or follow simple routines

If any of this sounds familiar, you don’t need to wait for a formal diagnosis. Our free “First Steps” consultation lets you speak with a therapist who can offer clarity and gentle guidance.

What conditions does Esperanza support through Occupational Therapy?

We support children and adults across a wide range of needs, including:

Autism Spectrum Disorder and ADHD
Sensory processing differences
Developmental delays and coordination challenges
Cerebral palsy
Fine motor difficulties, including handwriting
Neurological recovery for adults, including stroke rehabilitation and hand therapy after injury or surgery

Every therapy plan is built around the individual, not the label. If you’re unsure whether your child’s needs fit, we welcome a conversation to explore what might help.

Do you involve parents in the therapy process?

Yes, parents are treated as core partners in every child’s progress at Esperanza, not just observers. This includes practical strategies to support development at home, clear explanations of your child’s needs and how therapy works, and regular updates so therapy stays aligned with your family’s goals.

What happens during the free "First Steps" consultation?

The free “First Steps” consultation is a relaxed, no-obligation 60-minute conversation, not a formal OT assessment, where a licensed occupational therapist meets your child, listens to your concerns and explains how therapy could help.

You’ll leave with:

A clearer picture of your child’s strengths and areas for development
A professional perspective on whether occupational therapy could help
Suggested next steps, with no pressure or commitment
Plenty of time to ask any questions you have

Does insurance cover Occupational Therapy at Esperanza?

Coverage varies by insurer and policy. Many plans include occupational therapy benefits, often through reimbursement, so it’s worth checking your provider’s Table of Benefits to confirm your specific coverage. We provide the reports and documentation needed to support eligible claims, and our team is happy to help make that process easier.

Book your FREE First Steps consultation

Take the first step toward unlocking your child’s potential with a trusted occupational therapy clinic in Dubai. During your free 60-minute consultation, you’ll meet with a licensed pediatric occupational therapist who will gently observe your child, listen to your concerns, and create a personalised plan tailored to his or her unique needs.Whether you’re seeking support for sensory processing challenges, motor delays, or autism-related issues, this session offers clarity, direction, and hope for the journey ahead.