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Kari Thompson, OTD, OTR/L, BCP, SWC, CIMI, CLE
1932  14th  St.  Unit B
                     Santa Monica, CA   90404                    
          (310) 344-2276           ot_4_kids@yahoo.com
OT 4 Kids & the
Therapeutic Learning Center
Who We Are:

OT 4 Kids & The Therapeutic Learning Center (TLC) is a private practice pediatric clinic in Santa Monica, CA that specializes in treating children with and without special needs, as well as, learning differences.

Although many children who attend OT 4 Kids and the Therapeutic Learning Center have a diagnosis, a handful of the children do not have a diagnosis, as they are struggling in school with handwriting, attention during tasks, reading, spelling, etc.  Other children attend therapy due to decreased coordination compared to that of their peers and are presenting with overall clumsiness during gross motor activities.  Others may attend therapy due to decreased fine and visual motor skills, i.e. cutting, coloring, putting together puzzles, completing buttons and snaps, etc.

For those children with diagnosis, populations include but are not limited to:

  • Autism
  • Aspergers
  • ADD/ADHD
  • Cerebral Palsy
  • Developmental Gross and Fine Motor Delays
  • Down's Syndrome
  • Dyslexia
  • Dyspraxia
  • Feeding and Swallowing Disorders
  • Gifted and Talented Children
  • Learning Disabilities
  • PDD-NOS
  • Premature Infants
  • Sensory Processing Disorders

OT 4 Kids & the Therapetuic Learning Center is housed within a 5000+ square foot building, which includes an 1800 square foot sensory gym and two individual therapy rooms.  Our child-friendly, family center is located blocks from the Pacific Ocean and minutes from the Santa Monica mountains.

Our Philosophy and Mission:

At OT 4 Kids & the Therapeutic Learning Center we believe in treating the whole child to individually meet each child's unique and special needs.  We believe that ALL children have the ability to grow, learn, and develop and it is just a matter of tapping into "how" they learn "best," believing in them, and providing guidance along the way. 

At OT 4 Kids & the Therapeutic Learning Center we strive to assure a positive, child-friendly, family based center.  Our goal is to provide the highest quality of therapy to children and their families, based on brain research and years of clinical experience.  We strive to be on top of the latest research and programs available to help children with and without special needs, as well as, to maintain the highest level of education and professionalism in our field. 




















EVERY CHILD DESERVES THE BEST!  CALL TODAY TO SCHEDULE YOUR CHILD'S APPOINTMENT !
(310) 344-2276

About the Owner:

Kari Thompson is a licensed Pediatric Occupational Therapist, Educational Consultant, and Integrative Developmental Designer.  She is the owner of OT 4 Kids & Therapeutic Learning Center and Sensational Sensory Spaces.  Kari holds a Doctorate in Occupational Therapy and is one of eight Occupational Therapists in the state of California that are AOTA Board Certifed in Pediatrics.
Kari has extensive experience with children in acute and out-patient rehabilitative settings, sensory integration clinics, preschool and elementary school-based settings, home based therapy, and the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).  Kari holds an Advanced Practice Certification in Swallowing and is a Certified Lactation Educator working frequently with premature infants.  She has served as a memeber of both the Craniofacial and Infant Progress Clinic teams at Cedars Sinai Medical Center.  Kari has completed all the requirements to be Sensory Integration Certified (SIPT Certified) and she is a Certified Provider for the Interactive Metronome.  She has training in Samonas Sound Therapy, Therapetuic Listening, and The Listening Program, which are all auditory-based programs to help improve overall organization, attention to task, processing skills, communication abilities, reading, and memory, etc. 

Kari has experience in working with children with an array of Learning Disabilities and has been awarded a Certificate of Clinical Enhancement for Concepts in Learning and Performance in Pediatrics.  She is working towards earning an Edu-Therapetuics Learning Specialist Certificate, which is a unique learning system that is based on the understanding that brain research has shown us how the brain works and the brain best learns.  Edu-therapeutics helps to remidate challenges of Dyslexia, ADD/ADHD, learning disabilities, and reading difficuties.  Kari is a trained provider for Processing and Cognitive Enhancement (PACE) for children with underlying visual and auditory processing deficits, which impact a child's ability to be successful in school.  In addition, she has training in the Davis Dyslexia Symbol of Mastery Program, as well as, a variety of Lindamood Bell Programs both for children struggling with learning. 

With Kari's background in Interior Decorating, Child Development, and Sensory Integration she has incorporated them into another career.  Kari is also the founder and owner of Sensational Sensory Spaces, an integrative developmental design company that creates children's bedrooms, playrooms, and sensory gyms to promote a child's development.  

Media Coverage:

  • Kari shared one of her sensory playrooms and knowledge on a recently debuted DVD that came out in November, 2008 called "OT in the Home." 
  • Kari's expertise in these areas were also published in a section in "Feathering the Nest," a book that was recently released in April, 2009 and written by Tracy Hutson, Interior Designer.
  • Kari was part of a Professional Continuing Edcuation 7 - Series DVD set that was released in the Spring, 2009

Kari Thompson, OTD, OTR/L, BCP, SWC, CLE, CIMI, CID