What is Occupational Therapy?

Occupational therapy is concerned with a child’s ability to participate in desired daily life activities. Occupational Therapists use their unique expertise to help children prepare for and perform important learning and developmental activities for children with and without disabilities. Occupational Therapy addresses the “occupations” of life.  A child’s “occupations” may include playing age appropriately, participating in social groups or school activities, completing age appropriate self-care routines, participating in extracurricular activities, and being a part of the family unit. Being able to participate “age appropriately” may be difficult for children with or without a disability.

Occupational Therapists are particularly skilled in designing and implementing accommodations and modifications. To make children more successful in their daily lives, whether at home, in school, or in the community. Additionally, OT’s play a key role in training parents, caregivers, and teachers about the development of children with diverse learning needs.* *Parts of above taken from American Occupational Therapy Association