Meet Lauren Pickrell, MOTR/L: Building Big Skills Through Play, Connection, and Everyday Moments

At Word Play Speech Therapy, we know that meaningful progress starts with meaningful relationships. That’s exactly what you’ll find when you work with Lauren Pickrell, MOTR/L, one of our pediatric occupational therapists. Lauren believes that every child learns best when they feel safe, connected, and free to play. Through a relationship-based, child-led approach, she helps children build the skills they need to thrive in everyday life.

Helping Children Do What Matters Most

Lauren graduated from the University of Missouri (Mizzou) in 2021 with her Master of Occupational Therapy degree and has spent the past five years helping children develop the skills they need to participate more fully in their daily lives.

What first drew her to occupational therapy was its unique focus on the whole child.

“I love how occupational therapy focuses on the whole person. We don’t just look at a single skill or diagnosis in isolation we look at what is most important to each person and what they want and need to do in their daily life.”

That philosophy continues to guide every therapy session she leads.

Meeting Children in Their World

Before joining Word Play, Lauren worked with children from Kindergarten through age 21 in a school-based setting. Today, she especially enjoys helping children develop:

• Fine motor and visual motor skills
• Activities of daily living (getting dressed, self-care, feeding, etc.)
• Co-regulation and emotional regulation skills

She is also expanding her expertise in pediatric feeding and picky eating through continuing education because she’s passionate about helping families in every area that impacts a child’s daily life.

Connection Before Challenge

If you ask Lauren to describe her therapy style, one phrase stands out:

Connection comes before challenge.

“My style is relationship-based, play-based, and child interest-led. By building a strong bond with a child first and using the things they love to guide our sessions, I can create a space where they feel safe to fail, try again, and ultimately master hard skills through the power of play.”

Rather than expecting children to fit into a rigid therapy plan, Lauren believes it’s her job to meet them exactly where they are.

The Magic of Child-Led Play

Every therapy session begins with a plan, but Lauren is the first to admit that plan may quickly change.

“Child-led, play-based therapy means coming into every session with a plan, but being flexible enough to toss that plan out the window if it’s not what the child needs in that moment.”

Instead, she joins children in whatever naturally captures their attention and thoughtfully weaves therapeutic goals into their favorite activities.

Whether that means making a task easier to reduce frustration or adding a new challenge when a child is feeling confident, the goal remains the same:

To make therapy feel like play.

Looking Beyond the Pencil

One of Lauren’s favorite topics to discuss with families is the “why” behind child development.

Many parents notice challenges with handwriting and naturally assume their child simply needs more pencil practice. Lauren loves helping families understand that fine motor skills actually begin much earlier.

“Writing starts in the core and the shoulders.”

Children develop the strength and stability needed for handwriting through climbing, crawling, balancing, jumping, and other forms of active play.

Likewise, the ability to sit still, focus, and follow classroom routines is built through movement experiences that develop body awareness and strengthen the nervous system.

It’s one more reminder that play isn’t a break from learning, it is learning.

Empowering Parents at Home

Lauren believes some of the best therapy happens outside the clinic.

That’s why she always explains the reasoning behind activities and provides practical ideas families can easily use at home.

Parents don’t need expensive equipment or a therapy gym to support development.

A favorite puzzle can become an opportunity to:

• Build core strength by completing it while lying on the tummy
• Encourage crossing midline by placing pieces on one side and the puzzle board on the other
• Practice using both hands together during play

Small changes in everyday routines can make a big difference.

Why Lauren Loves Word Play

One of Lauren’s favorite things about working at Word Play is the ability to truly individualize care.

“What I love most about Word Play is the freedom to support our families in whatever area their child is genuinely struggling with.”

Unlike many settings that limit services based on testing or strict eligibility requirements, Word Play focuses on supporting children where they need it most.

That flexibility allows therapists to address the skills that make the biggest impact on a child’s everyday life.

Busting a Common OT Myth

Lauren often hears people assume occupational therapy only focuses on handwriting or sensory processing.

While those are certainly important areas, OT is much broader.

Occupational therapy helps children become as independent as possible in the activities or “occupations” that fill their day.

For children, those occupations include:

• Playing
• Learning
• Eating
• Sleeping
• Getting dressed
• Brushing teeth
• Participating in family routines

If something is making everyday life more difficult, occupational therapy may be able to help.

Lauren’s Favorite Therapy Tools

Some of Lauren’s favorite materials are also some of the simplest:

• Squigz® for upper body strength, shoulder stability, and bilateral coordination
• Therapy Putty and Play-Doh for hand strength, finger isolation, and endurance
• Puzzles to develop pincer grasp and visual-spatial skills
• Board games for fine motor coordination, turn-taking, and attention
• Obstacle courses, her favorite activity, because they target countless developmental skills while keeping children engaged and having fun

Advice for New Therapists

Lauren’s advice to her younger self reflects the grace she extends to both children and families.

“Not every session will be perfect, but there is always something to learn and build on for the next. When a session doesn’t go according to plan, it’s not a failure, it’s an opportunity to learn what that child truly needs from you.”

It’s a mindset that allows her to remain flexible, curious, and focused on what matters most—the child in front of her.

Just for Fun

When she’s powering through a busy day, Lauren’s go-to fuel is a Diet Dr Pepper paired with Peanut M&M’s—a combination that’s hard to beat!

A Final Word

Lauren believes every child deserves to feel successful, capable, and understood. Through play, strong relationships, and collaboration with families, she helps children build the confidence and skills they need to participate more fully in the activities that matter most.

At Word Play Speech Therapy, we’re grateful to have Lauren’s compassionate heart, creative ideas, and child-centered approach as part of our team. We can’t wait for the many lives she’ll continue to impact through the power of play.