What Is Occupational Therapy?

Occupational therapy helps children develop the skills they need to live an active and fulfilling life. A child’s occupation include everything they do throughout the day. They play, learn, and develop new skills, ranging from the fine motor skills needed to write or draw with a pencil or crayon to motor coordination, balance, sensory perception, and social skills.

What Are The Signs That My Child Needs Occupational Therapy?

Some of the signs that your child may benefit from occupational therapy include:

1. Delayed fine motor skill development
2. Clumsy or awkward movements
3. Poor handwriting
4. Poor concentration and struggles to finish tasks or homework
5. Easily frustrated when learning new skills
6. Constantly on the move
7. They may bump, crash, or fall often
8. Poor behavior control
9. Dislikes changes in routine
10. Doesn’t like crowds and has trouble making friends
11. They need constant help to complete daily routines 

What Happens During Occupational Therapy Sessions?

Occupational therapy maximizes a child’s performance through sensory-motor play-based interventions, resulting in skill mastery and success in areas such as play, motor skills, coordination, behavioral control, feeding, handwriting, and independence in daily routines.

The Therapy World team guides your child through play-based exercises designed to help them develop and master new skills, while they feel like they’re playing. Depending on the child’s objectives, therapy session may involve cutting with scissors, completing puzzles, sharing with peers, finger painting, putting on/taking off shoes, and eating with utensils.