Occupational Therapy
Pediatric occupational therapy focuses on helping children develop the skills necessary to become independent with activities of daily living, participate in the community, and school. Through engaging, play-based child-led activities, therapists work with the child and the family to enhance fine motor skills, motor planning, self-care, sensory processing, visual motor and social interactions. Whether a child is facing challenges due to developmental delays, physical disabilities, or having difficulty regulating their body, pediatric occupational therapy aims to create a supportive environment that fosters growth, connections and independence. By collaborating with the child’s community, therapists tailor interventions to each child's unique needs in a neuro-affirming way, promoting not only functional abilities but also confidence and self-esteem. Ultimately, the goal is to empower children to thrive in their everyday lives, both at home, in the community and in school.
Specialty Areas
Fine Motor
Involves the small muscles of the hand needed to complete small precise movements to manipulate and engage with toys, school supplies, handwriting dressing accessories and the child’s environment.
Sensory Processing
Sensory processing is the ability to receive information from your environment such as Auditory, Gustatory (taste), Olfactory (smell), Proprioceptive, Tactile (touch), Vestibular, Visual and manage the different stimuli. Children with SPD have difficulty managing the stimuli impacting their ability to regulate, play, interact with their peers, and learn.
Visual Motor
Visual motor skills involve the integration of visual perception , hand eye coordination, spatial awareness, and motor coordination, allowing individuals to execute tasks that require both sight and movement. This skill set is crucial for activities ranging from basic self-care tasks to complex academic and recreational pursuits.
Self Care
Also known as activities of daily living are the daily task, we complete to get ready for the day. Some examples of self-care tasks include dressing, brushing teeth, brushing hair, clipping nails, washing hands, and mobility. As children age, children should become more independent in self-care task.
Feeding
Feeding therapy assists children to develop the skills to safely engage in mealtimes with their family and peers. Feeding therapy also ensures that your child is getting adequate nutrition in their daily life.
Physical Disability
This term refers to a range of conditions that affect a child's physical functioning and mobility. These disabilities can result from various causes, including congenital disorders, neurological conditions, injury, or developmental delays. In occupational therapy, pediatric physical disabilities are addressed through a holistic approach that focuses on enhancing a child's ability to participate in daily activities and achieve independence. Skills worked on include but not limited to motor skills, enhance mobility, functional independence, and adaptive environment to increase independence.
Neurodevelopment/Dyspraxia
Neuromotor Development is the ability to coordinate movements and exhibit good motor planning, making daily activities and sports manageable and safe.
Exectuive Functions
The three main skills that make up executive function are working memory, cognitive flexibility and inhibition control. Executive functions are a set of skills that you use to manage everyday tasks such as making plans, solving problems, attention to task and recalling letters and numbers.
Social Emotional Development
Social-emotional skills encompass the ability to understand, express, and manage emotions while also recognizing and responding to the emotions of others. These skills are essential for building and maintaining healthy relationships and navigating social situations effectively. ​