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What is Occupational Therapy (OT)?

Occupational therapy (OT) is a science-driven, evidence-based profession that enables people of all ages to participate in daily living or live better with injury, illness, or disability. This is accomplished through acquiring new skills, implementing strategies or modifications for daily life, and customizing environments to maximize potential. OTs assess and address physical, cognitive, sensory, and emotional challenges that may hinder an individual's ability to engage in meaningful activities.  By taking the full picture into account, OTs can assist people in:

  • Achieving their personal goals

  • Staying as healthy and productive while functioning at the highest possible level

  • Maintaining or rebuilding a person’s independence

  • Participating in the daily activities or occupations that make life worth living

 

Life is made up of occupations, yet we generally don’t think about our daily occupations until we have trouble doing them.  Occupations are meaningful everyday activities that can include many roles, such as being a parent, a friend, a spouse, a student, an artist, a cook, an athlete, or a pet owner. Everyone has occupations— from the toddler whose occupations are play and learning to develop important skills, to the adult whose occupations are engaging with family and friends and managing their home. In short, an occupational therapist can help you live life to its fullest no matter your health condition, disability, or risk factors. Paws and Progress’s specialized OT services are tailored to meet the unique needs of each individual client.

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OT for Children and Adolescents

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Pediatric occupational therapy is a healthcare field that focuses on helping children between the ages of 2 and 21 develop the skills necessary for the "occupations" of childhood, such as playing, learning, and performing daily activities like dressing and eating. These services focus on empowering clients while addressing a wide range of physical, sensory, psychosocial, and cognitive challenges that may affect a client’s ability to engage in daily activities. 


Pediatric OT is playful and child-centered, using activities that are meaningful and engaging to the client to improve motor skills, enhance sensory processing, and foster emotional and social development. An OT practitioner will assess each client’s needs and tailor interventions accordingly with the overachieving goal of helping each client develop the ability to participate as independently as possible in daily activities at home and the community. 


OT is great for children with parents or caregivers who are proactive about their child's development, value early intervention, and are open to integrative therapy methods. Every child deserves the opportunity to develop the skills they need to participate in daily activities and achieve their full potential. 

Does my child need OT? 

Occupational Therapy (OT) is essential when a child's challenges start impacting their ability to engage in meaningful activities like playing, learning, socializing, and daily routines. We all have individual ways of perceiving the world, including specific likes, dislikes, and challenges. This is part of the human experience and is what makes us all unique. At Paws and Progress, the objective is to learn the tools children need for happy, independent lives. This guide provides information on how OT can support your child's development

Diagnoses Addressed by OT

OT supports children with various diagnoses, including:

  • Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) 

  • Sensory processing disorders (SPD) 

  • Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

  • Attention-deficit disorder (ADD) 

  • Developmental delays

  • Down syndrome and other genetic disorders

  • Learning disabilities

  • Physical disabilities such as cerebral palsy

  • Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) 

  • Coordination disorders 

  • Other conditions affecting functional development

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Indicators for Occupational Therapy

If your child struggles with routine tasks and age-appropriate skills, consider these signs and ways OT can help:

  • Motor Skill Challenges:
    Difficulty with fine motor tasks (e.g., buttoning, writing, using scissors, etc.) Poor handwriting or complaints of pain when writing or drawing Challenges in gross motor skills (e.g., jumping, climbing, riding a bike, etc.) Clumsiness, uncoordinated movements, and fast-paced nature Delays in motor milestones or difficulty learning new movement tasks Role of occupational therapy: Develop targeted plans to enhance fine and gross motor skills. OT interventions use various tools and activities to improve a client’s ability to perform tasks with the ability to control body movements more precisely, strengthen muscles, coordinate movements, and maintain stability.
  • Visual-Perceptual Barriers:
    Difficulty differentiating shapes and letters, such as confusing 'b' and 'd' or 'p' and 'q.' Challenges in understanding how objects relate to each other in space, such as difficulty in judging distances or sizes. Difficulties in following moving objects smoothly with the eyes or problems with reading lines of text without losing one’s place Struggling with tasks that require coordination of visual input with hand movements, like catching a ball or handwriting Difficulty recalling visual information, such as remembering shapes, faces, or the sequence of objects Role of occupational therapy: Strengthen the visual perceptual skills essential for reading, writing, navigating the environment, and understanding and interpreting visual information. These skills are crucial for academic tasks like reading and writing, as well as daily activities, such as navigating environments. OT interventions use specific exercises and games to enhance visual tracking, differentiation, and spatial awareness.
  • Executive Functioning, Daily Routine, and Transition Barriers
    Trouble transitioning between activities or following a routine despite familiarity Problems with self-care activities like dressing, eating, and grooming Distress during hygiene tasks (e.g., tooth brushing, face washing, nail trimming, etc.) Difficulty accepting new ideas Challenges with attention and focus Problems with managing time, organizing, or planning activities Struggling with task initiation, completing tasks without frequent reminders, or problem-solving Irregular sleep patterns or difficulty with sleep routines. Eating difficulties, such as extremely selective eating or problems with different food textures Role of occupational therapy: Develop executive functioning skills like organizing, planning, and transitioning between tasks. OTs address challenges in daily routines by implementing strategies to improve self-care skills and independence in daily activities.
  • Behavioral and Sensory Response Difficulties
    Behavioral challenges that are linked to frustration with tasks Discomfort with sensory inputs like bright lights, loud noises, or strong smells Preferences or aversions affecting daily life, such as wearing the same clothes, picky eating, discomfort with messy play or physical contact, etc. Constant fidgeting Tendencies like mouthing non-food objects or overeating Preference for repetitive play Withdrawal from busy environments Fear of heights Impulsivity Demonstrating toe-walking or W-sitting Frequent rocking, running, skipping, jumping, climbing, and/or swinging Challenges in understanding or processing verbal instructions Over- or under-reactivity to sensory experiences (e.g., touch, taste, sound) Seeking or avoiding certain textures, movements, or sensory inputs Misjudgment of personal space, speed, distance, and force Lack of awareness in play, leading to frequent self-injury or breathlessness Role of occupational therapy: Sensory integration therapy helps children who struggle with processing sensory information and implements strategies to respond to sensory information more effectively. This includes managing behavioral responses linked to sensory processing difficulties and creating tailored sensory diets that help children engage more effectively in their environments. OT interventions in sensory processing impact barriers rated to being overly sensitive to sensory stimuli or seeking excessive sensory input to help them feel just right and promote functional engagement in various environments. Understanding a child's behavior can sometimes be challenging. Children often act out not because they want to be difficult but because they don't have the tools to respond differently. It's essential to recognize the difference between sensory issues and behavioral problems; although they might appear similar, they are fundamentally different. An OT can provide invaluable insight in distinguishing between these two, which can guide you in understanding whether a child's actions are a response to sensory overload or other behavioral challenges, helping you respond effectively and supportively.
  • Emotional Regulation Challenges
    Difficulty managing emotions, leading to frequent tantrums or meltdowns Struggles with coping mechanisms for stress, anxiety, or frustration, such as becoming easily overwhelmed or having difficulty calming down Inconsistent emotional responses that are not typical for the situation or developmental stage Struggles with adapting to changes in routine or environment Difficulty understanding and expressing feelings, leading to social challenges or isolation. Role of occupational therapy: Support children as they learn to understand emotions. Then, develop strategies for managing and expressing feelings appropriately. OT interventions implement a variety of tools and activities to teach clients how to identify their emotions, understand their triggers, and find healthy ways to respond.
  • Social Difficulties
    Challenges in understanding and responding to social cues, such as missing nonverbal signals or misinterpreting others' emotions Difficulty in forming friendships or interacting with peers appropriately, including struggling with sharing, turn-taking, or playing cooperatively Difficulty in forming friendships or interacting with peers appropriately Delayed speech development or difficulty in articulating thoughts and needs, impacting the ability to communicate effectively in social settings Poor boundaries or understanding of safety skills around different people, such as being overly familiar with strangers or not recognizing personal space Limited interest in social interactions or preference for solitary play Difficulty in participating in group activities or following group norms, leading to social isolation or peer conflicts Overly aggressive or passive behavior in social situations, indicating an imbalance in social approach strategies Role of occupational therapy: Provide support in developing social skills, which are vital for building relationships and interacting successfully with peers. This includes teaching social cues recognition, turn-taking, building relationships, understanding personal space, and identifying appropriate responses in social interactions. Role-playing and guided play sessions are often used to build these skills. Play is a child’s primary occupation!
  • Additional OT Services:
    Environmental Modifications: OTs recommend and help implement modifications in homes, schools, or other environments to create sensory-friendly and accessible spaces to better support each client’s sensory and functional needs. Parent and Caregiver Education: Empower parents and caregivers with the knowledge and skills needed to support the client’s progress and development outside therapy sessions by encouraging active caregiver participation. OT interventions aim to enable parents and caregivers to effectively support the client’s therapy goals at home. Collaborative Care: OTs often collaborate with other professionals, such as speech therapists, physical therapists, educators, and psychologists, to provide comprehensive care tailored to the client’s needs.

In each of these areas, occupational therapy focuses on improving the client’s ability to participate in daily activities and interact with their environment in a way that promotes their independence and overall development. These signs may indicate that the client could benefit from personalized support and skill development with occupational therapy services.


However, it's important to remember that simply having a diagnosis or exhibiting one or two of these signs doesn't automatically necessitate OT. It is normal for children (and adults!) to have unique preferences, quirks, and occasional challenges. These individual characteristics are what make each person unique. The crucial aspect to consider is the impact of these behaviors on the client’s daily life and overall functioning.


Occupational therapy is aimed at helping clients overcome barriers that limit their ability to function and thrive in everyday life. If the client's preferences or sensitivities go beyond minor quirks and significantly impact their ability to succeed and flourish, an OT evaluation might be necessary to provide valuable insights and strategies to support your client's growth and development. The goal of OT is not to change who the client is but rather to empower them to navigate their world confidently, enhance their quality of life, and seize every opportunity for joy, learning, and growth.
 

There are many ways that OT can address challenges and improve daily life. Paws and Progress’ therapeutic approach is always personalized, ensuring that each client’s unique needs and family situation are considered when creating an effective, engaging, and supportive intervention plan. Each session is designed to be fun and engaging, taking place in a safe environment while fostering a sense of accomplishment.

Parent and Caregiver Involvement and Support 

I wholeheartedly understand the vital role that parents and caregivers play in their children's lives, acting as both nurturers and advocates. I believe in a holistic approach that encourages parent participation within sessions for clients to empower caregivers with comprehensive education about the client’s diagnoses, reinforcing parenting abilities, and providing tailored recommendations to foster the client’s best development. Parents and caregivers will receive strategies to support the client’s development in various settings, and clients will receive weekly "homework" or home plans for continuous progress outside of therapy sessions. 


Parent or caregiver involvement in sessions aims to identify and amplify your strengths, address your family's specific needs, provide the tools to help the client thrive in every way possible, and ultimately make OT interventions more effective.

 

  • Education and Insight: Guide you through understanding your client's unique needs, demystifying diagnoses, and sharing knowledge that can light the way forward.

  • Enhanced Parenting Skills: From communication tactics to behavior management techniques, interventions aim to equip caregivers with practical skills that make day-to-day life more harmonious and fulfilling.

  • Strong Advocacy: Armed with deeper insight into the client's needs, you will become a powerhouse advocate for them, ensuring they receive the best support at school, in healthcare, and in the community.

  • Stress Relief: As you grow more adept at handling the client's needs, the stress and anxiety that often accompany parenting challenges tend to diminish, making room for more joy and less worry.

  • Boosting Child Development: Parent participation has a direct, positive impact on the client's social, emotional, and cognitive development.

  • Positive Family Dynamics: Fortifying the parent-child bond fosters nurturing relationships, setting the stage for a supportive and loving home environment.

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Interested in OT Services?

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