Occupational Therapy

Pediatric occupational therapy supports a child’s ability to participate in meaningful activities (or “occupations”) that are needed to conduct their daily routines and live their life to the fullest. One of a child’s main “occupations” is PLAY! Through play children learn and develop key skills needed for daily functioning such as:

• Fine motor skills - using our small muscles to make movements such as in our hands
• Gross motor skills - using large muscles for movements such as in our torso, arms and legs
• Social skills - skills we use every day to interact and communicate verbally and non-verbally with others.

A child may benefit from occupational therapy when a skill deficit is impeding their daily functioning. Areas of functioning that may be addressed in occupational therapy include but are not limited to:

If an occupational therapy evaluation is needed, the occupational therapist will design a treatment plan based on each child’s and family’s unique needs. Occupational therapy interventions are backed by the latest evidence-based research to support the child and family’s goals. Collaboration between the occupational therapist, child and family are key to success in occupational therapy as the child and family will learn key strategies to foster independence as each session progresses. Occupational therapy puts the ‘FUN’ in ‘FUNCTION’! To take a virtual tour, please visit our gallery.

Expression from our Occupational Therapists:

OT-1 The main reason why I love Occupational Therapy is because I love to see the face of my kiddos and their families when they learn a new skill or try something new for the first time! I am constantly learning and being inspired by my kiddos every day. They teach me to look at life from a different perspective and to find happiness and excitement from the little things around us. I love that I can use play to enhance strengths and improve weaknesses all while having fun!

OT-2 Occupational therapy was the career I chose because I wanted to have good relationships with the clients I worked with. Occupational Therapy does just that where I can learn so much about my clients and their families to truly support them. By truly knowing their barriers, I can try my hardest to help them based on their situation. My goal is to teach my clients skills or provide them with resources so that they can reach their full potential. I decided to specialize in pediatrics because research has shown that early intervention provides the most opportunity for individuals living with health barriers at birth. I have learned how disheartening it is to see a person be disengaged from their communities due to the inability to exist safely. Early intervention is a practical and effective solution. Ever since I applied to Occupational Therapy school, I knew that I wanted to make a difference and I knew that working with youths was something that I was passionate about. It is truly a blessing to be working at a company that allows me to support families from several backgrounds and to be able to help them discover ways to support their children so that they can engage in meaningful occupations.

Resources:

The OPS

The OT Toolbox

American Occupational Therapy Association