What is Occupational Therapy?
Occupational therapy focuses on helping people participate in meaningful and valued activities of daily life. As OTs, we assist people in developing the “skills for the job of living” necessary for independent and satisfying lives (retrieved from www.aota.org).
The very word occupation means an a activity which occupies our time. For children, their primary occupations are to play and participate in self-care and school-related activities. When certain things impact independence and/or participation in meaningful occupations, OTs step in to teach children the tools to become more successful in the activities of their daily life (retrieved from www.aota.org).
As children grow into teens and young adults, we adapt and grow along with the family and child to provide services for prevocational and independent living skills.
Would my child benefit from Occupational Therapy?
If you have any questions or concerns about your child’s ability to perform in school, play, and self-care, an OT evaluation could help.
OT evaluations can identify areas for growth in:
- Fine and gross motor
- Motor planning
- Handwriting (graphomotor skills)
- Balance and coordination
- Visual-perceptual skills
- Postural control/core strength
- Sensory processing
- Executive functioning
- Auditory processing
- Feeding
- Social Skills
After an OT evaluation, if your child would benefit from our services, the therapist will collaborate with you to create a personalized treatment plan for your child.
Check out some goals that have been achieved:
- Tying shoelaces
- Tying a ponytail
- Personal hygiene (showering, shaving, and deodorant)
- Dressing (buttons, zippers, snaps)
- Riding a two-wheeler bike
- Playing instruments (piano, drums, etc.)
- Bowling
- Monkey bars
- Using a combination lock
- Working in a coffee shop
