Pediatrics
For a child, PLAY is their occupation. Purposeful activities such as swinging, climbing, jumping, buttoning, drawing, and writing are all vital to proper development. Occupational therapists use their unique expertise to help children prepare for and perform important learning and developmental activities by facilitating motor development, social skills development, and the development of adaptive and self-care skills.
Is your child experiencing any of the following?
• Difficulty holding a pencil properly
• Poorly established hand dominance
• Difficulty writing, drawing, or cutting
• Sensitive to the texture, tags, or seams of clothing
• Distress over daily hygiene tasks
• Avoidance of messy activities such as finger paint, mud and glue
• Withdrawal or aggressive reaction to being touched or bumped unexpectedly
• Sensitivity to loud noises or difficulties in noisy environments
• Unexpected emotional outbursts, meltdowns, or tantrums
• Limited tolerance for varied food textures
• Poor coordination or clumsy and awkward movement
• Muscle weakness
• Difficulty remaining seated
• Anxiety or rigidity, avoidance of new things, difficulties with changes in routines
• Increased activity levels, continuous movement, or excessive fidgeting
• Impulsivity
• Decreased attention
Pediatric Services
Occupational Therapy can be enhanced with a variety of treatment approaches including: sensory integration, constraint induced movement therapy (CIMT), therapeutic listening, behavioral therapy, interactive metronome, splinting and modalities.
What can Occupational Therapy help a child improve?
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Fine motor skills
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Cutting
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Coloring
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Handwriting
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Manipulation of small objects and tools
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Visual motor and visual perceptual skills puzzles: building blocks, copying, stringing beads, letter/number formation
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Motor planning and coordination: age-appropriate motor play, obstacle courses, hopscotch, playground equipment; correcting movements
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Upper body strength and endurance
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Sensory Processing
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Attention span: focusing, task initiation, and completion
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Social and play skills: peer interaction, imaginative play, coping skills
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Self-care skills: feeding, dressing, grooming
