Katie Saphire - Pediatric Occupational Therapist in Philadelphia
Helping Kids Thrive with Occupational Therapy
Hi, I'm Katie!
I'm an occupational therapist who believes every child has unique strengths and potential. What I love most is getting to know each child and family personally, then creating a treatment plan designed just for them. I've pursued specialized training in primitive reflex integration, dynamic movement intervention (DMI), vestibular rehabilitation, therapeutic listening, and feeding therapy with VitalStim because I'm passionate about having the right tools to help every child feel more confident and capable in their bodies. Whether your child is a toddler learning to navigate their world or a teenager working on independence skills, I work with children and young adults of all ages and abilities, taking a holistic approach that looks at your whole child and supports them in all the ways that matter to your family.
Why I love what I do:
I love having the opportunity to treat kids holistically while supporting families as whole, and getting to bring out my inner child!
Why I’m passionate about in-home care:
In-home care allows children to learn and grow in the place where they feel most comfortable and confident. When we work in your child's familiar environment, they're naturally more relaxed and engaged, which means we can accomplish so much more together! Plus, I get to work with the toys, furniture, and routines your family already uses every day, making it easier for you to continue practicing skills between our sessions.
What Does an Occupational Therapist Do?
Our specialized OT are hands-on, personalized, and focus on your family’s real challenges and goals at home.
Our OT’s can help your baby with:
- Feeding & swallowing support – making transitions safer and easier.
- Daily routines – finding the right rhythms for sleep, soothing, and caregiving.
- Sensory regulation – helping babies adjust after weeks in the NICU.
- Motor development – building strength for rolling, sitting, crawling, and beyond.
Our OTs not only work with babies, but also coach you through:
- Parent and Caregiver collaboration - building a process and therapy plan that fits in with your skills and concerns
- Supporting milestones development - ever worry if your baby is on track? I can help teach you to signs and the exercises to encourage steady growth
- Reducing burnout - daily routines is not just for the baby! Caregivers and parents can regain control of their daily life by collaborating on a family-centered routine and plan
My Specialties
I specialize in:
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How my practice is special
Holistic & Full-Picture Approach
My advanced certifications in a wide variety of techniques allow me to look at your child from every angle. Rather than focusing on just one area, I consider how movement, sensory processing, and development all work together to support your child's success.
Beyond Traditional OT
My practice looks different than traditional occupational therapy because of my specialized focus on functional movement, developmental transitions, and sensory-motor approaches. This means we're not just working on skills—we're building the foundation your child needs to thrive.
Root Cause Analysis
As a certified primitive reflex clinical specialist, I don't just address what we see on the surface. I look deeper to understand the underlying reasons behind behaviors and challenges, which allows us to create more effective, lasting solutions for your child.
Client testimonials
Katie is the most dedicated and influential therapist my daughter has ever had. Katie changed my daughter’s entire fine and gross motor skills trajectory through her personalized approach to obtain child specific goals. She always made sure to find the right balance between “fun” and “work” with so many laughs along the way of continuing to achieve new milestones. Once you make her a part of your child’s “team”, you will know exactly the magic she can bring into your life.
Meeting a therapist who ensures your child is happy, laughing and regulated through OT therapy all while unlocking new skills is something that is extremely rare. Katie has done exactly this and so much more for our son Peadar. We are so grateful to have met her and can’t wait for the next intensive.
Katie worked with my daughter at NAPA in Boston, and we are so grateful for the impact she has had. She is both creative and thoughtful in her approach, and she takes the time to truly understand the whole child. Whether addressing fine or gross motor skills, or supporting vestibular and sensory needs, Katie’s work is always holistic and individualized. My daughter not only made progress during her sessions with Katie, but also felt supported, encouraged, and motivated. We feel so fortunate to have had Katie on our team.
Areas I Serve
I work with families in NW Philadelphia, and these surrounding areas: Chestnut Hill, Mount Airy, Germantown, Ambler, Fort Washington, and Flourtown.
Chestnut Hill
Mount Airy
Germantown
Ambler
Fort Washington
Flourtown
Local Places I love!
Market at the Fareway
Trader Joe's
Unsure about what your child needs?
Book a quick 10 minute consultation with me! Serving families in Philadelphia near Wissahickon Valley Park. Easily accessible from Schuylkill Expwy.
Who is Coral Care?
Coral Care supports families with exceptional in-home pediatric therapists in speech therapy, occupational therapy, and physical therapy.
Every provider in our network is thoroughly vetted through a clinical review process and receives ongoing support through monthly education, community, and access to specialized resources.
We believe the best care happens when disciplines work together. That’s why we actively support cross-specialty collaboration—ensuring kids get care that’s not just high-quality, but truly holistic.
Need more care for a child—or know a family who does?
