Occupational Therapy
Occupational therapy addresses “occupations”, meaning, anything and everything you need to do to function throughout your day. The goal of occupational therapy is to help individuals become more independent in their daily occupations through the use of purposeful and meaningful tasks to decrease obstacles that affect a person's or child's physical, developmental, social, and emotional needs.
Children’s occupations include playing, learning, self-care (dressing, bathing, toileting, eating, grooming etc.) socializing, and engaging with the community (going to school, going to the zoo, going to the grocery store etc.). Occupational therapy helps decrease barriers that affect a child’s emotional, social, sensory, and physical abilities.
The occupational therapy team at MyCare Therapy specialize in helping children succeed in their daily occupations and improve their quality of life. We do this through a variety of approaches to facilitate the development of a child in a fun and playful way. Our goal is to help children and families feel successful!
What is Occupational Therapy for Children?
Pediatric occupational therapy helps children develop the essential skills they need to grow, learn, and gain independence in daily life. Through play-based therapy, sensory integration, and motor skill development, pediatric occupational therapists support children facing developmental challenges, including fine motor delays, sensory processing disorders, and coordination difficulties.
How Pediatric Occupational Therapy Helps Children
Occupational therapy focuses on helping children participate in everyday activities that are crucial for their independence and development. This includes:
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Self-care skills – dressing, feeding, brushing teeth
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Fine motor skills – handwriting, using scissors, buttoning clothes
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Gross motor skills – balance, coordination, strength
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Sensory processing – managing responses to sights, sounds, textures, and movement
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Social and cognitive skills – emotional regulation, focus, and problem-solving
What to Expect in a Pediatric Occupational Therapy Session
During therapy sessions, an occupational therapist (OT) assesses a child's strengths and challenges to create a personalized treatment plan. Therapy may involve:
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Play-based exercises to improve motor coordination
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Sensory integration techniques for better regulation
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Handwriting and visual-motor skill activities
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Strategies to enhance focus and social interaction
Who Can Benefit from Pediatric Occupational Therapy?
Pediatric OT supports children with a variety of developmental, neurological, and sensory challenges, including:
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Autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
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Sensory processing disorder (SPD)
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ADHD and attention difficulties
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Cerebral palsy and motor impairments
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Down syndrome and genetic disorders
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Developmental delays
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Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
Why Pediatric Occupational Therapy is Essential for Child Development
Early intervention through occupational therapy for children can significantly improve a child’s ability to participate in daily tasks, perform better in school, and interact confidently with peers. By addressing motor coordination, sensory processing, and social-emotional skills, pediatric occupational therapists empower children to achieve independence and thrive in their daily lives.
Looking for pediatric occupational therapy near you? Contact us today to schedule an evaluation and see how OT can help your child succeed.