Pediatric Occupational Therapy

What is a Pediatric Occupational Therapy?

Pediatric occupational therapy is a treatment method that focuses on helping children develop and strengthen their sensory, visual, and motor skills, enabling them to interact with their environment, socialize, and function independently. 

Indications for Pediatric Occupational Therapy

Children who have difficulty performing daily activities at home, school, or in the community may require pediatric occupational therapy. Children who can benefit from occupational therapy may have the following medical conditions:

• Birth injuries or defects
• Sensory processing disorders
• Traumatic injuries to the spinal cord or brain 
• Learning problems
• Developmental disorders or delays
• Behavioral problems
• Problems after hand surgery
• Cerebral palsy or other chronic illnesses

What do Pediatric Occupational Therapists do?

Physical disorders and other conditions, including injuries, may prevent your child from performing day-to-day activities that are easily done by children of the same age and can slow down the pace of your child’s development. Pediatric occupational therapists can identify these problems and help your child learn the necessary skills to function well in society.

Advantages of Pediatric Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapists focus on the following areas:

• Improving fine motor skills so your child can grasp objects properly. This can help develop good drawing and handwriting skills.
• Developing your child’s hand-eye coordination to improve skills that are necessary for games like throwing and catching a ball, and in school like copying notes from a blackboard.
• Enabling your child to do basic self-care activities like bathing, getting dressed, and brushing their teeth on their own.
• Helping your child stay calm and positive in challenging environments by teaching them to channel their anger and negative emotions into productive activities.
• Understanding the child’s disabilities and limitations and showing them how to use equipment like wheelchairs, dressing devices, bathing equipment, or communicational aids so they can function independently.
• Developing communication and socializing skills to help the child interact better with others.

When should a child see an occupational therapist?

You should consult an occupational therapist if you notice any of the following conditions in your child:

• Inability to concentrate
• Easily distracted
• Difficulty following instructions
• Tires quickly with schoolwork
• Hyperactivity
• Poor impulse control