Occupational Therapy
Pediatric occupational therapy helps children build the skills necessary for participation in meaningful daily activities. Occupational therapists work with children to assess their physical, cognitive, emotional, and social needs through the use of personalized interventions and strategies. The goal is to improve their ability to perform everyday tasks, promote independence, and engage in activities that are essential to their overall well-being.
What Areas Does Occupational Therapy Address?
Activities of Daily Living / Instrumental Activities of Daily Living
Engaging in essential tasks such as dressing, toileting, hygiene, feeding, food preparation, and laundry
Sensory Processing
Understanding sensory needs and challenges related to touch, sight, sound, taste, smell, proprioception, vestibular awareness, and interoception
Play Skills / Social Interactions
Enriching appropriate play skills such as imaginative play and cooperative play; understanding social rules such as turn taking, sharing, empathy, and recognizing social cues
Self-Regulation / Emotional Regulation
Managing emotions, thoughts, and behaviors; applying effective coping strategies and mindfulness techniques
Fine Motor Skills
Increasing finger strength, grip, dexterity, and control for activities such as writing, drawing, cutting, holding a pencil, and manipulating clothing fasteners
Gross Motor Skills
Developing muscle strength, hand-eye coordination, balance, and postural control for activities such as running, jumping, climbing, and playing sports
Visual Motor / Visual Perception
Organizing and interpreting visual information which is essential for reading, writing, and navigating the environment
Handwriting
Enhancing components such as letter formation, orientation, size, line usage, and placement
Cognition
Improving problem-solving abilities, memory, attention, and organizational skills