Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapy helps people of all ages live life to its fullest. At Pediatric Therapy Clinic, our goal is to help children with an injury, illness, or disability maintain or improve their independence and participate in everyday activities. Occupational therapy can be particularly helpful for children born with physical or developmental difficulties. It is also appropriate for any child needing help with behavior, feeding, fine motor, play, or learning difficulties.

All children develop skills at different times and in different ways. Some kids, however, may need additional help with feeding or eating a variety of foods, concentration and attention, behavior management, or learning.

Our team of pediatric occupational therapists work with parents and children to evaluate a child’s needs and the types of therapies that can be most helpful. That may include providing suggestions for adapting activities, materials, or conditions to improve the chance of individual success.

Our occupational therapists are also specialists in feeding. Whether it is a newborn baby who is struggling to latch or to breastfeed or an older child who has stopped eating, our occupational therapists work with you to overcome these difficulties. How do they do it? By identifying the reason why feeding/swallowing are difficult and working with you and your child to improve that process. After the assessment the process may begin referral for a swallow study or a visit with a dietician to ensure the child is safe to swallow. We will work with your pediatrician or family doctor to help coordinate care.

• Feeding or eating a variety of foods
• Regulating their bodies, whether they are under-responsive or over-responsive to stimuli such as noise or crowded places
• Dressing themselves
• Coping with disappointment
• Behavior management
• Playing appropriately with other kids by learning to share or take turns
• Using toys and materials in traditional ways or in ways adapted to their unique needs

When children sustain an injury that impacts their ability to enjoy everyday activities, it can be frustrating for them and difficult for parents as well. An occupational therapist with Pediatric Therapy Clinic will assess your child’s needs and create a plan to address them.

Occupational therapy can help your child learn to address their challenges in a healthier way. That may mean helping them to recognize their feelings, diffuse anger and manage impulses. This learning process improves their ability to succeed at home, in school and in the community.

Older children will benefit from occupational therapies designed to help them achieve a greater level of independence. That includes learning to brush their teeth, get dressed independently, successful toileting routines, and tying their shoes, to name a few.