Abacus OT

What is Pediatric Occupational Therapy?

Occupational therapy is concerned with promoting independence in activities of everyday life – or ‘occupations.’ Children’s occupations include: reaching developmental milestones, play, self care (eating, sleeping, dressing, grooming, bathing), academic tasks (handwriting, fine motor skills, attention/focus), and socializing.

How Can a Pediatric Occupational Therapist Help?

Pediatric occupational therapists evaluate a child’s strengths, as well as difficulties, in critical developmental areas via clinical observation, caregiver reports, and standardized tests. They evaluate the environment, sensory processing, muscle functioning, positioning, coordination, and other areas when determining the cause of decreased skill.

Why Occupational Therapy?

Having a solid foundation of skills allows for the development of self-confidence. Developing a skill and using it successfully encourages children to continually try new activities that expand their skills and build success. Being successful is the foundation for continued learning.