Occupational Therapy helps children of all abilities to do the things they want and need to do. “Occupations” refer to the activities that occupy a person’s time. A child’s main occupation is play! Our occupational therapists keep this in mind, by integrating play into therapeutic interventions.

Occupational therapists often work with children on activities of daily living, such as tying their shoes, dressing, feeding, buttoning (and other clothing fasteners), and brushing their teeth or hair. They work on school-preparatory skills, such as drawing shapes, forming letters, color recognition, and writing skills. Self-regulation skills, such as learning to slow down, breathe deeply, sip water, recognize when they are beginning to feel upset, take a break, etc. Gross motor skills include bilateral coordination (using both sides of the body together), core strength, and upper body coordination. Sensory processing has to do with the way a person takes in information from their environment through their senses. These senses include sight, hearing, touch, taste, vestibular, and proprioception. Sensory processing skills help children to be aware of their sensitivities, needs, and behaviors.