Who can benefit from OT?
Occupational therapy for children addresses a variety of skills unique to the process of growing and learning throughout childhood. The "occupations" of children are typically classified in three ways:
- Work = Participating in learning in school or preschool/daycare.
- Leisure = Play and social skills
- Self-Care = Daily activities (brushing teeth, getting dressed)
If your child demonstrates any of the following he/she may benefit from occupational therapy intervention:
- Difficulty manipulating toys or tools (turning knobs, handling utensils)
- Weakness in the arms, hands or muscles used for posture
- Difficulty handling changes in routine
- More trouble than same-age peers with play activities - puzzles, games
- Lagging developmental milestones
- Restricted eating patterns
- Difficulty engaging in play activities with other children
- Difficulty with self-care skills (when age-appropriate)
Any child with a documented or suspected delay in development may benefit from occupational therapy. In addition, the following is a partial list of common medical diagnoses often supplemented with treatment by occupational therapy according to the AOTA.
- Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASD's)
-
sensory processing disorders
-
traumatic injuries
-
cognitive delays/learning difficulty
-
birth injuries or birth defects
-
mental health or behavioral problems
-
broken bones or other orthopedic injuries
-
developmental delays
-
post-surgical conditions
-
spina bifida
-
severe hand injuries
-
multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, and other chronic illnesses
