What is an Occupational Therapist
Occupational Therapists can help a child improve their thinking, physical, and motor skills so they can do the things they need to and want to do.
Occupational Therapists also address psychosocial, and environmental factors to help them understand themselves and make their environments more conducive to their needs.
A child’s main job or occupation is playing and learning. Occupational Therapists assist children in enhancing cognitive, physical, and motor abilities, thereby bolstering self-esteem and a sense of achievement. Through play, exploration, and learning, children naturally develop life skills.
Occupational therapists evaluate skills in areas such as play, school, and daily activities, aligning them with age-appropriate developmental milestones. They then establish goals and provide tailored interventions to facilitate skill acquisition. According to the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), occupational therapists also address psychological, social, and environmental factors impacting an individual’s functioning, making them integral members of a multidisciplinary team.
When should your child visit an Occupational Therapist
Children facing challenges like birth injuries, sensory processing disorders, traumatic injuries, learning difficulties, autism, and various health conditions may benefit from occupational therapy.
Occupational therapists also assist with fine motor skills development, handwriting, hand-eye coordination enhancement, daily task learning, self-regulation techniques, adaptive equipment assessment, and sensory integration to improve focus and social interaction.
By focusing on fine motor skills, visual-perceptual abilities, social skills, cognition, and sensory processing, occupational therapists empower children to navigate the world to the best of their abilities. (KidsHealth, 2012)
