The Power of Play: Why Movement Isn’t Optional for Your Neurodiverse Child

Dr. Shelley Margow

Published on: 07/04/2026

Play isn’t optional. It’s the most neurologically efficient way for kids to learn." As a pediatric OT for 30 years, I've seen how intentional movement—swinging, jumping, and crashing—does more for a child's brain than any flashcard ever could. For neurodivergent children, sensory-motor play is the "work" that builds regulation, attention, and safety. If we want our kids to sit at the dinner table or focus in class, we have to start by meeting their biological need for movement.