FAQ
Occupational Therapy FAQ
General Questions
1. What is pediatric occupational therapy?
Pediatric occupational therapy (OT) helps children develop the skills they need for daily activities, including fine motor skills, sensory processing, self-care, and social participation.
2. How do I know if my child needs occupational therapy?
If your child struggles with motor skills, coordination, sensory sensitivities, self-care tasks (like dressing or feeding), or attention and behavior, an occupational therapist (OT) can evaluate their needs.
3. At what age should my child start occupational therapy?
OT can benefit children as early as infancy if they show developmental delays. However, kids of all ages can receive therapy if they face challenges in daily activities.
Development & Skills
4. What are common signs that my child may need OT?
Signs include:
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Difficulty holding a pencil or using scissors
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Trouble with balance and coordination
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Sensitivity to sounds, textures, or movement
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Delays in self-care tasks like dressing or using utensils
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Difficulty focusing, following instructions, or transitioning between activities
5. What conditions do pediatric OTs treat?
OTs help children with:
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Sensory processing disorders
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Fine and gross motor skill delays
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Autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
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ADHD and behavioral challenges
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Developmental delays
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Coordination and balance issues
6. How can occupational therapy help children with sensory issues?
OTs use sensory integration techniques to help children process sensory input more effectively. Activities may include swinging, deep pressure exercises, and texture exploration to improve regulation and daily functioning.
Therapy & Treatment
7. What happens during a pediatric OT session?
Sessions are play-based and designed to develop motor skills, coordination, sensory processing, and independence in daily activities. Activities may include games, fine motor exercises, and self-care practice.
8. How long does occupational therapy take?
The duration varies based on your child’s needs and goals. Some children make progress in a few months, while others may need ongoing support.
Speech Therapy FAQ
General Questions
1. What is pediatric speech therapy?
Pediatric speech therapy helps children develop communication skills, including speech, language, fluency, and social communication.
2. How do I know if my child needs speech therapy?
If your child has difficulty pronouncing words, understanding or using language, stutters, or has trouble communicating, a speech-language pathologist (SLP) can assess their needs.
3. At what age should my child start speech therapy?
Early intervention is key! If you notice speech or language delays by 18 months to 2 years, it’s a good time to consult a speech therapist. However, speech therapy can help kids of all ages.
Speech & Language Development
4. What are common signs of a speech delay?
Some signs include:
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Limited vocabulary for their age
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Difficulty forming sentences
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Trouble pronouncing sounds correctly
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Not responding to their name or following simple instructions
5. What causes speech and language delays in children?
Delays can result from various factors, including hearing loss, developmental disorders (e.g., autism), oral motor issues, or lack of speech exposure.
6. My child is not talking yet—should I be concerned?
By 18 months, most children should be saying words, and by 2 years, they should be combining words into short phrases. If your child isn’t meeting these milestones, a speech evaluation can help determine if therapy is needed.
Therapy & Treatment
7. What happens during a speech therapy session?
Sessions are tailored to your child’s needs and may include play-based activities, articulation exercises, language-building games, and social interaction practice.
8. How long does speech therapy take?
Every child is different! Some children make progress in a few months, while others may need longer-term support, depending on the severity of their speech delay and how often they practice.