Pediatric occupational therapy focuses on empowering kids, including those with special needs, to navigate their daily lives more effectively. Occupational therapy (OT) is a holistic profession that uses everyday activities (occupations) to promote health, well-being, and participation.1 Pediatric OT focuses on helping children from age zero to twenty-one participate in daily activities at home, school, and in their communities to support them in living their best lives.
Occupational therapy practitioners (occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants) use "occupations" as a treatment method or intervention. What are the "occupations" of infants and children?
Daily occupations for children include:
Occupational therapy practitioners (OTPs) help kids adapt to or overcome social, emotional, and physical barriers that impact their independence.2 OTPs help kids play, improve their academic functioning, and participate in activities of daily living (ADLs) to the best of their ability. Additionally, OTPs work closely with parents, family members, caregivers, and school teams to provide caregiver education and support.
The primary difference between occupational therapy for adults and children is age—all forms of OT address function, life skills, and participation.3 However, since the occupations of a child are much different than the occupations of an adult, the activities used to strive toward meeting goals tend to be much more fun.
The first pediatric occupational therapy visit includes a comprehensive evaluation and establishing goals, expected outcomes, and a care plan. In the initial review or assessment, an occupational therapist may complete standardized tests, conduct formal and informal observations, and communicate closely with the child's parents or caregivers to fully understand the child's strengths and needs.
Pediatric occupational therapists often work as part of a team with other healthcare and rehabilitation professionals, such as speech and language pathologists, physical therapists, psychologists, nurses, and pediatricians.
Given the diverse settings and rich opportunities in pediatric occupational therapy, you might be wondering about the variety of OT jobs available. If you're feeling inspired to explore the different career paths that pediatric OT offers, now is the perfect time to start.
Occupational therapy practitioners provide support and intervention for various conditions. The list of possibilities is virtually endless; however, the more common types of children who benefit from OT include children with:
Kids don't have to be formally diagnosed with an injury or disability or be eligible for special education to benefit from occupational therapy. Some kids need extra help with their everyday skills, such as developing social-emotional skills, managing clothing, or maintaining attention.
Kids meet their occupational therapy goals when they can perform the activities across settings. For example, suppose a child is working on mastering self-regulation skills. In that case, they need to successfully use calming strategies in the clinic during sessions at home, at school, on school buses, and at community events.
Activities used for occupational therapy for children are play-based or occupation-based. Therapy activities must be as enjoyable as possible for children to be motivated to participate in therapy sessions and make gains toward their goals. Kids don't want to feel like they're going to the doctor or working on their homework. Kids' therapy needs to be fun and engaging. Pediatric occupational therapy promotes creativity and an opportunity to "play" with kids all day!
Adapting language and communication skills to meet the child's developmental stage and specific needs is essential.
Every child progresses at their own pace. Some kids will recover and be on their way; some will participate in therapy throughout their childhood as they change and grow.
When working with children, it is essential to consider family dynamics, social and economic needs, and cultural influences.
In summary, occupational therapy is a rewarding profession that serves to help people overcome barriers and challenges to participate fully in everything they need and want to do in life. Pediatric occupational therapy can be exceptionally fulfilling as OT practitioners make a significant difference in children's daily lives and the lives of their families and caregivers.
So, if you're ready to take your occupational therapy skills on an adventure, to learn, to grow, and to impact lives in various settings, we invite you to join us. Sign up today to travel with Trusted and begin a journey that promises professional fulfillment and personal enrichment. Together, let's make a difference, one child, one family, one community at a time.
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