Occupational therapy is used to help children successfully complete the daily occupations of childhood such as play, school, and self-care. Therapy often focuses on play-based interventions that are used to further develop skills needed in order for the child to participate in daily life skills.
The goal of occupational therapy is to provide the child with the foundational skills needed to utilize adequate strength, coordination, sensory integration, problem solving, and self-confidence to perform age appropriate tasks. Many of the children referred to occupational therapy demonstrate difficulties in processing sensory input. These children misinterpret sensory information from their environment, thus affecting their ability to respond appropriately. Treatment focuses on providing a 'just right' challenge to facilitate proper development of skills.
Self-care skills (dressing, eating, bathing)
Handwriting
Upper body strength
Pencil and grip control
Finger, hand strength, position and stability
Wrist and/or forearm control
Spatial organization (space and letter formation)
Visual perception skills
Attention
Problem solving (motor planning)
Postural control
Endurance
Sensory Integration