Occupational therapy uses a person's occupation as a tool for therapy-and this means occupation in the broadest sense of the word-how one likes to occupy his time. For children, their occupation is play. Thus, pediatric OTs use play as a therapeutic tool to facilitate skills. Our work is directed towards maximizing independent function, enhancing development and preventing disability.
OTs look closely at the demands of each task and try to find ways to adapt the task to match the child's abilities. OTs also work to modify and adjust the environment to support the child in executing tasks and activities. We work with kids on specific skills:
- Fine motor skills (cutting, coloring/writing, etc.)
- Self care skills (dressing, grooming, shoe tying, using utensils, etc.)
- Visual-motor integration skills (copying shapes, writing letters, etc.)
- Bilateral coordination (using the two sides of the body together effectively)
- Sensory integration (the ability to take in information from all of the senses and sort it and respond to it appropriately)
We work with children, families, and school personnel, on developing compensatory strategies to help children cope with deficits.
We also work with families to develop activities to do at home to support the therapeutic process. We will help you find ways to incorporate these activities into your daily routine so they can be easily accomplished.
