Occupational Therapy
Pediatric Occupational Therapy (OT)
Pediatric occupational therapy (OT) helps children develop the skills they need to participate in daily activities, such as playing, self-care, and school tasks. Occupational therapists (OTs) work with children who have difficulties with fine motor skills, sensory processing, coordination, and independence in daily routines.
Key Areas of Pediatric OT
1. Fine Motor Skills (Small Muscle Movements)
- Writing, coloring, cutting with scissors
- Buttoning, zipping, tying shoes
- Using utensils, holding a pencil correctly
2. Gross Motor Skills & Coordination (Large Muscle Movements)
- Balance and strength for climbing, jumping, running
- Coordination for activities like catching a ball
- Postural control for sitting upright at a desk
3. Sensory Processing & Regulation
- Managing sensitivities to textures, sounds, lights, or movement
- Helping children who seek extra movement or pressure (e.g., fidgeting, crashing into things)
- Improving focus and emotional regulation
4. Self-Care & Daily Living Skills
- Dressing, grooming, brushing teeth
- Feeding (using utensils, reducing picky eating)
- Toileting and hygiene routines
5. Social & Play Skills
- Learning to take turns and share
- Developing imaginative and cooperative play
- Building frustration tolerance and coping skills
Who Benefits from Pediatric OT?
Children who have:
Fine motor delays (struggle with writing, grasping, cutting)
Sensory processing challenges (over- or under-react to sensory input)
Coordination difficulties (clumsiness, trouble with sports/play)
Delays in self-care skills (dressing, feeding, hygiene struggles)
Attention & regulation difficulties (trouble sitting still, focusing)
Autism, ADHD, cerebral palsy, or developmental delays
Fine motor delays (struggle with writing, grasping, cutting) Sensory processing challenges (over- or under-react to sensory input) Coordination difficulties (clumsiness, trouble with sports/play) Delays in self-care skills (dressing, feeding, hygiene struggles) Attention & regulation difficulties (trouble sitting still, focusing) Autism, ADHD, cerebral palsy, or developmental delaysHow is OT Provided?
- Clinic-Based Therapy – One-on-one sessions in a therapy center
- School-Based OT – Support in educational settings for learning-related skills
- Home-Based OT – Therapy provided in the home environment
- Teletherapy (Virtual OT) – Online sessions with guided parent support
