What is Occupational Therapy?
The goal of pediatric OT is to help children achieve independence and improve their quality of life by addressing their unique needs and challenges.Pediatric OTs use a variety of techniques and tools, such as sensory integration therapy, play-based therapy, fine motor skill development, and adaptive equipment to help children achieve their goals.
This includes:
- Play
- Self-care skills- getting dressed, grooming, bathing, caring for oneself and the tasks associated with self-care
- Feeding and eating
- Learning
- Leisure activities
- Sleep
- Toileting and potty training
And all skills or aspects that allow kids to perform these “jobs”:
- Motor development and motor planning
- Cognitive development
- Visual processing skills
- Sensory processing
- Self-regulation
- Social and emotional skills
- Emotional-regulation
- Social participation
- Executive functioning skills- organization, attention, working memory, planning, prioritization, impulse control, and other skills
- Fine motor skills
- Safety in the home and community
- Balance and coordination
