Some people may think that occupational therapy (OT) is only for adults; children, after all, do not have occupations. But a child's main job is playing and learning and an occupational therapist can evaluate a child's skills for play activities, school performance, and activities of daily living and compare them with what is developmentally appropriate for that age group.

According to the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), in addition to dealing with an individual's physical well-being, OT practitioners address psychological, social, and environmental factors that may hinder an individual's functioning in different ways. This unique approach makes occupational therapy a vital part of health care for some kids.

So who might use an occupational therapy practitioner? According to AOTA, kids with the following medical problems may benefit from OT:

• Birth injuries or birth defects
• Sensory processing/integrative disorders
• Traumatic injuries (brain or spinal cord)
• Learning problems
• Autism
• Pervasive developmental disorders
• Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis
• Broken bones or other orthopedic injuries
• Developmental delays
• Post-surgical conditions
• Burns
• Spina bifida
• Traumatic amputations
• Cancer
• Severe hand injuries
• Multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, and other chronic illnesses

One of the activities that occupational therapists can address to meet children's needs is working on fine motor skills so that kids can grasp and release toys and develop good handwriting skills. Occupational therapists also address hand and eye coordination to improve play skills, such as hitting a target, batting a ball, or copying from a blackboard.

An occupational therapist can also:

• Help kids with severe developmental delays learn some basic tasks, such as bathing, getting dressed, brushing their teeth, and feeding themselves
• Teach kids with physical disabilities the coordination skills required to feed themselves or use a computer
• Evaluate each child's needs for specialized equipment, such as wheelchairs, splints, bathing equipment, dressing devices, or communication aids
• Work with kids who have sensory and attention issues to improve focus and social skills

Additional Info

Document provided by Easter Seals

• Five by Five - A Parent's 5 Minute Guide to 5 Areas of Development - Download Here (PDF)

American Occupational Therapy Association Fact Sheets

• Occupational Therapy for Children - Birth to 3 Years of Age - Download Here (PDF)
• Occupational Therapy's Role With Autism - Download Here (PDF)
• Occupational Therapy in Preschool Settings - Download Here (PDF)

Other Documents from the American Occupational Therapy Association

• Developmental Problems in Children - Download Here (PDF)
• Learning Through Play - Download Here (PDF)
• Backpack Strategies - Download Here (PDF)
• How Parents Can Avoid Parenting Time Traps - Download Here (PDF)