The BIG question: What is OT and how can it help my child?

Pediatric OT helps a child reach goals and developmental milestones that improve their daily life. It focuses on how your child moves, plays and communicates with the world around them. 

A healthcare provider may recommend occupational therapy:

1) after an injury 

2) if your child has a neurological condition that affects their skill development physically, emotionally, socially and cognitively 

3) is delayed in development

*Your child MAY or MAY NOT have a diagnosis and be recommended for services. We treat the child in front of us, not according to a label or a protocol.

• Delays or difficulties performing age-expected self care (activities of daily living, also known as ADLs) independently including dressing, self-feeding, bathing, toileting/failed toilet training/wiping hygiene, oral hygiene and grooming

• Difficulties with emotional skills and self-regulation in their environment that is atypical in nature and negatively affects their ability to participate in play, home,  daycare, school and/or community activities

• Difficulties with gross motor, fine motor, visual motor and oral motor skills that limits their ability to participate in daily tasks with independence

• Difficulties with sensory integration which may be seen as a child who moves too much or too little little, is overly fearful or too impulsive, very picky with their clothing, overly-sensitive to movement or seems to not recognize different types of sensory stimuli

• Difficulties engaging in play which can involve solo play or play with others in an appropriate, skillful way including the use of tools (coloring, scissor use, etc) and executive functioning

• Difficulties with learning, learning retention and cognitive skills that affects carryover of information

• Neurodivergent Diagnoses: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
• Down Syndrome
• Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD)
• Neurological Conditions: Cerebral Palsy (CP), Muscular Dystrophy
• Failure to Thrive
• Developmental Delay
• Orthopedic Injuries
• Genetic Disorders

A pediatric OT is a highly trained healthcare professional with a specialty in pediatrics and child development. They require a Master's Degree in Occupational Therapy from a university, are nationally and state-licensed and report to a credentialing board. Pediatric occupational therapists can work in hospitals, homes, clinics, rehabilitation centers, schools and work with people of all ages.

The OT profession also encompasses Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants (COTAs) who operate under an OT's evaluation/plan of care and are supervised by an occupational therapist. COTAs complete an associate's degree from an accredited program and are also licensed and report to a credentialing board.

All OTs and COTAs are required to continually take educational courses to keep up with effective interventions and relevant advancement of research.

The first visit is an evaluation. During this session, your child’s therapist will use a scored assessment that reviews your child’s skills compared to average skills at their age. 

The OT will then observe your child’s behavior and skills as they play and move around the clinic. Examples of what your child might do during this first occupational therapy visit include:

• Writing or coloring
• Stringing beads or stacking blocks
• Run, jump, climb, swing, throw and kick balls
• Eating or drinking

Your child’s therapist will also ask you about their daily habits, your concerns about your child’s development and if you have any questions about what to expect. This initial session can take an hour to complete.

After the evaluation, your child may come back on a weekly basis for up to 6 months for 1:1 individual sessions that focus on reaching goals determined from the evaluation.  These sessions are designed to be child-led, enjoyable, meaningful and fun for your child while supporting their skill development in various activities. 

Parents are encouraged but not required to stay in the session. Your therapist will give you feedback, recommendations and homework each session to continue your child's progress at home between sessions.

That's it!

When your child's goals are met, parents/caregivers are happy with their progress and they are thriving, they will be discharged from OT services.