How paediatric occupational therapy supports child growth
Imagine if you couldn’t do the things that came easy to other kids your age. Maybe you can’t pick up a pencil and write like the other kids in your class or you can’t feed yourself without help. This is where paediatric occupational therapy, also known as children’s OT, comes in to support child growth and development.
Paediatric occupational therapists work with children who have difficulty with activities of daily living, such as brushing their teeth, getting dressed, or using the toilet, and help them improve their skills and abilities in a variety of ways.
If you’re worried about your child’s development, here are some signs to look out for and how paediatric occupational therapy can help.
What Is Paediatric Occupational Therapy?
You may have heard of paediatric physical therapy and paediatric speech therapy, but paediatric occupational therapy (paediatric OT) is a form of therapy that helps kids play, improves their school performance, and aids their daily activities. It also boosts their self-esteem and sense of accomplishment – essential factors of child growth.
So how does paediatric OT help kids? Well, think about all the activities a child completes daily: eat, dress, brush teeth, write, play. OT helps children with all these tasks and more. With paediatric OT, kids can develop and refine their fine motor skills to better grasp and release toys, for example.
Paediatric occupational therapy is beneficial for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, and other conditions. If you’re worried about your child’s development, don’t hesitate to consult with one of our paediatric occupational therapists – we can help assess your child’s needs and provide the appropriate therapy.
Why Is Paediatric Occupational Therapy Needed?
So, what is occupational therapy for kids and why do children need it?
Paediatric occupational therapy helps children who have developmental delays with movement and coordination, kids who have difficulty with sensory processing, and children who need help with fine motor skills. OT can help improve kids’ cognitive skills, physical skills, and motor skills.
Paediatric occupational therapy can play a big role in a child’s development; and with the right help occupational therapists help children improve their cognitive, physical, and motor skills across a range of disciplines, as well as helping with self-esteem and a sense of accomplishment.
What Types of Paediatric Occupational Therapy Can Be Provided?
When it comes to pediatric occupational therapy, you might be wondering what exactly this entails. Simply put, paediatric occupational therapists help children with disabilities, injuries, or illnesses improve their function and independence. They provide therapeutic interventions that help develop fine motor skills, cognition, language skills, and more.
What Are Typical Signs Paediatric Occupational Therapy Can Help?
Some of the most common signs that a child might need occupational therapy include developmental delays, difficulty with motor skills, or balance and coordination problems.
Some other common signs include:
- Difficulty with fine motor skills, such as handwriting
- Delays in reaching developmental milestones
- Poor balance or coordination
- Frequent falls
- A low frustration tolerance
- Trouble with sensory processing
If you’re noticing any of these signs in your child, we highly recommended contacting us and speaking with one of our experienced paediatric OTs to find out whether paediatric occupational therapy is right step for you and them.
Your child’s paediatric occupational therapist can help them reach their developmental milestones while gaining important cognitive, social, and motor skills. Paediatric occupational therapy is an essential part of many children’s development, helping to improve their ability to function throughout each day, independently. To find out how your child may benefit from seeing a paediatric occupational therapist, contact us below
