Is farm-based OT the missing piece for your child? Meet with Dr. Tyler, our expert Occupational Therapist, for a complimentary 30-minute consultation to discuss how our programs can help your child thrive. Learn more and schedule now through the link in bio! #CommunOTfarm #PediatricOT #SeminoleCounty #homeschoolenrichment #occupationaltherapy

We have a few exciting updates for our CommunOT Garden Buds Program this spring semester! To better serve our community, we have moved our sessions to FRIDAYS and extended our time to allow for deeper exploration and more “dirt-on-hands” learning. Double the Expertise: This semester, the garden is facilitated by our Licensed OT, Tyler, and our Education Specialist, Melissa. Together, they ensure every child is supported both developmentally and academically. Why Garden Buds? We use the magic of gardening to build foundational skills that translate directly to home and school success: -Focus & Patience: From seed to harvest, we practice the sequencing and “wait time” that builds strong Executive Functioning. -The “Heavy Work” Reset: Digging and carrying soil provides the deep sensory input kids need to regulate their bodies and sharpen their focus. -Teamwork in the Dirt: Collaborative planting projects help our “buds” practice social negotiation and problem-solving in a natural, stress-free environment. The Details: 🗓️ When: Fridays, March 27 – May 1 ⏰ Time: 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM 💰 Price: $225.00 (Includes all materials) 📍 Where: Spring Acres Chuluota, FL Our groups are kept small to ensure every child receives personalized attention. Secure your spot today and watch your child’s confidence bloom! ✨ Using StepUp? Use code STEPUP2025 at checkout to reserve your spot on our website. 🔗 Register here: https://www.communotfarm.com/appointments #CommunOT #GardenBuds #NatureBasedOT #FloridaSpring #HomeschoolFriday

It’s National Hugging Day! (And there’s an OT science behind it...) Did you know that a good, firm hug is more than just a sweet moment? In Occupational Therapy, we call this Deep Pressure Input, and for many kids, it’s like a "reset button" for their nervous system. Here is the OT Fact: When we experience deep pressure (like a big bear hug), the body releases oxytocin and serotonin while lowering cortisol (the stress hormone). For a child who is feeling overwhelmed, "in their head," or struggling with their "Brain Bandwidth," that physical input provides Proprioceptive Feedback. It tells their brain exactly where their body is in space, which creates an immediate sense of safety and calm. On a farm, we find "hugs" in creative ways: -The weight of a goat leaning against your leg. -The "heavy work" of carrying a bucket or pushing a wheelbarrow. -The sensory "embrace" of working in the dirt. Whether it’s a hug from a human, a squeeze from a furry friend, or the "heavy work" of farm life—Deep Pressure helps our students feel grounded, organized, and ready to learn. Go give someone (or a horse!) a high-quality hug today! #NationalHuggingDay #OTFact #DeepPressure #Proprioception #SensoryRegulation #CommunOTfarm #NatureBasedOT #CentralFL #HugsForHealth

2025 has been an incredible year! Thank you to all the families who have entrusted us with your child’s growth! Wait until you see what 2026 has in store! Happy New Year! #communotfarm #pediatricot #occupationaltherapy #springacres #happynewyear

Merry Christmas and happy holidays from our family to yours!

What a semester! Neighborhood adventures aren’t just about the destination—they are where the real learning happens. Our CommunOT Growth group has been busy mastering life skills across Seminole County! From navigating the SunRail for Christmas shopping in Winter Park to meeting with the Sheriff’s Office and ordering food at group lunches, these students are practicing executive functioning and independence out in the community. This semester also included holiday grocery budgeting & shopping, Post Office logistics, and library tours. Every CommunOT Growth outing builds the independence, social collaboration, and problem-solving skills our students need for the “real world.” 🌱 Now Enrolling for Spring! Our CommunOT Growth sessions will feature even more community-based projects, including special community and service-learning projects to support organizations in Seminole County. Spots are limited. Schedule your free consultation with our Occupational Therapist through our website to discuss your child’s goals and get added to our CommunOT Growth Group! StepUp UA & PEP Approved! #CommunOTFarm #OccupationalTherapy #LifeSkills #SeminoleCounty #StepUpForStudents

Real Talk: The Start of Break Can Be Rougher Than the End! Holiday schedules are here! While we are all thrilled for the Thanksgiving break, the sudden shift in routine and high anticipation can sometimes throw our kids’ internal regulators completely off balance. That was certainly the case for us yesterday morning. Instead of fighting the ensuing disregulation, we brought the big feelings to the farm. The Solution: Heavy Work to the Rescue! Here is our son channeling all that extra energy (and sensory overload!) into pushing a large wooden wire spool across the field for the goats. This is the therapeutic magic of Heavy Work (or proprioceptive input) in action. Heavy work involves any activity that pushes or pulls on the muscles and joints, delivering deep, organizing messages to the nervous system. When a child feels frantic, overwhelmed, or “out of sync,” this deep input is the fastest, most effective way to help them re-center and feel grounded. The Benefits We Saw in Real Time: Immediate Focus: Pushing the spool required focused effort, immediately pulling his attention away from his internal struggle. Calm & Organization: This intense proprioceptive input quickly stabilized his nervous system, reducing the big emotions and helping him transition into a state of calm. This is the power of Farm-Based OT: using purposeful, real-world work—like farm chores—to provide the exact sensory input the body needs to reset. When the ‘chaos’ starts to take over find outdoor activities that require pushing, pulling, and coordinated effort to help get back in balance. Wishing all our families a regulated and peaceful Thanksgiving break! #HeavyWork #SensoryRegulation #Proprioception #FarmBasedOT #CommunOTFarm

Our star student today was a rooster with excellent literary taste! 🐓📚 Today, our little CommunOT Explorer was reading a story about hens, and this guy was absolutely hooked. We’re not sure if he was taking notes or planning his next move, but his focus was 10/10! Why We Encourage Reading to Animals (It’s More Than Just Cute!): Reading aloud can be high-pressure for kids, especially those working on fluency, articulation, or confidence. But when the audience is non-judgmental (like a goat, a chicken, or a pig), the magic happens! The Evidence-Backed Benefits: Reduces Performance Anxiety (Regulation): Animals provide a calm, non-critical presence. This reduces the child’s physiological stress response, allowing them to focus on the mechanics of reading rather than fear of making a mistake, promoting self-regulation Improves Fluency and Confidence: Without the pressure of a teacher or peer, children are more willing to slow down, practice tricky words, and develop rhythm and pacing. This repetition and confidence-building are crucial for literacy development. Encourages Deep Interest: By making reading a purposeful, positive activity tied to something they love (the farm and animals), we build strong positive associations with literacy, fostering a lifelong love of reading. Reading to the animals is a favorite activity here at CommunOT Farm—even if our listeners get their feelings ruffled by the plot twist! 😉 #CommunOTFarm #FarmLiteracy #ReadingToAnimals #RoosterReads #OccupationalTherapy

Today, we pause to honor the incredible bravery, commitment, and selfless spirit of all our veterans. Thank you for your service and the freedoms you protect. Happy Veteran's Day. For us at CommunOT Farm and Programming, this day holds special significance as we remember one of our guiding inspirations and the beloved father of our Occupational Therapist and founder, Tyler: Veteran Gerard 'Jerry' Lacertosa. Jerry's enduring legacy is the foundation of our work. He fostered Tyler's professional calling through unwavering support and unconditional love. The dedication, commitment to structure, and quiet strength he modeled during his life are now foundational to how we teach stability, focus, and purposeful work on and off the farm. The strength and heart our OT, Tyler, brings to every session—from building core stability to developing fine motor focus—is a reflection of the profound and loving support Jerry gave. We are eternally grateful for Jerry's service to the nation and the lasting impact he continues to have on our founder and our mission: to help every child find their own inner strength, knowing they are seen, supported, and championed. Thank you to all who have served, those still with us and those we remember. #VeteransDay #ThankYouForYourService #CommunOTFarm #PediatricOT

Your Child's Brain Needs Handwriting. Here's Why! Swipe to discover four essential facts about why handwriting is so critical. We cover everything from motor memory and reading fluency to strengthening the executive function skills needed for organization and attention. This isn't just about penmanship; it's about building the neurological foundation for lifelong success. If you want to move beyond worksheets and build these foundational skills through fun, purposeful movement, join us! Our CommunOT Pen Pals Program is a unique 6-week farm adventure that transforms handwriting struggle into a confident skill. We are building strong hands and powerful brains. Spaces are limited for this focused OT-led group. Click the link in bio to learn more and secure your child's spot before they're gone! #CommunOTFarm #PediatricOT #HandwritingHelp #FineMotorSkills #OTHomeschool #BrainHealth #LearnThroughPlay #KidsWriting #CentralFlorida #FarmTherapy #KidsActivities #TherapyIsFun #AnimalTherapy #SpringAcres

Located in Seminole County, Florida and Surrounding Areas

CommunOT Farm and Programming LLC