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What is Occupational Therapy

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Occupational Therapy (OT) helps children and young people to develop daily living skills.

For young children, occupational therapists (OTs) often work on fundamental skills such as dressing, eating, writing and self-regulation. Occupational therapists might also work on changing the person’s environment or modifying specific tasks so that the child can perform them. For example, simple changes like a keyboard with larger buttons or an adapted grip on a fork can help a child who would otherwise struggle.

What is Occupational Therapy?

OT Intervention is targeted to the needs of the child and could include:

  • Fine motor skill focusing on writing, drawing, cutting and playing with small objects
  • Gross motor skill including riding a bike, balancing and jumping
  • Play and social including pretend play, turn taking, playing with other children, participation in group activities
  • Assistance with emotional and sensory processing
  • Self-care skills including toileting, dressing, eating, bathing/showering and sleeping

Who can benefit from Occupational Therapy?

Children of all abilities can benefit from OT, including those living with:

  • Autism Spectrum Disorder
  • Intellectual disabilities
  • ADHD and ADD
  • Neurological conditions
  • Cerebral Palsy
  • Global Development Delay
  • Movement disorders and fine motor skill delay
  • Sensory processing difficulties
  • Down Syndrome
  • Degenerative conditions
  • Vision impairments
  • Acquired Brain Injury

In all cases, being able to do everyday tasks makes the child more independent and self-confident. Having succeeded in overcoming a challenge, they will realize that they have what it takes to master new skills. OT can make a big difference for the family as a whole – for example, when a child learns to safely eat a variety of foods without the risk of choking, it improves the quality of meal times for the whole family.

Does your child need Occupational Therapy?

  • Does your child have difficulty hopping, skipping, kicking or catching a ball?
  • Are they clumsy, frequently trip or bump into things?
  • Are they fussy eaters?
  • Do they struggle to hold a pencil or are they unable to write neatly?
  • Can they use scissors efficiently?
  • Have they got weak fingers or poor dexterity?
  • Can they use cutlery independently?
  • Do they have difficulty with buttons or zips?
  • Can they tie their shoes?
  • How are their organisational skills?
  • Can they manage their emotions?
  • Do they have strong sensory preferences or dislikes?
  • Do they lack concentration?
  • Do they have appropriate social skills?
  • Are they having trouble at school or daycare?
  • Do they need help with toileting?
  • Do they fatigue throughout the day?
  • Do they have difficulty looking for an object in a group of objects?
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