Pediatric Occupational Therapy

Building skills for life

Occupational therapy helps children strengthen the skills that are needed for everyday life.

What is Occupational Therapy (OT)? 

Pediatric occupational therapy uses play to help children develop a wide variety of skills to improve their independence and participation with activities in the home, school, and community. Occupational therapists will provide engaging interventions to help children meet developmental milestones and improve function with self-care, fine motor skills, executive function, peer interactions, and self-regulation.

What is the goal of Occupational Therapy? 

Each child who participates in Occupational Therapy at Woven Care will have individualized goals created collaboratively with the OT, the child, and the family! In many cases the benefits of occupational therapy can include:

• Fine motor skills including writing, managing clothing fasteners, or anything else using the small muscles of the hand.
• Coordination skills needed for sports and play
• Activities of daily living including dressing, grooming, sleep, and toileting
• Feeding skills and diet expansion
• Play skills including a child’s ability to interact with peers
• Self-regulation including understanding emotions and developing coping skills
• Executive function and cognitive skills including ability to follow instructions, attend to desired activities, and planning and completion of complex tasks.
• Visual perceptual and visual motor skills

Who delivers Occupational Therapy? 

Our highly trained team consisting of Occupational Therapist’s (OTR) with master’s or doctorate degrees and Occupational Therapist Assistants (OTA) under the supervision of Occupational Therapists.

An Occupational Therapist:

• Master’s or Doctoral degree
• Conducts evaluations and reevaluations
• Designs and supervises OT programs

Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA)

• Conducts Occupational Therapy sessions
• Supervised by Occupational Therapists

What should you expect at your first visit to Woven Care OT?

What to expect at your first visit: During a child’s first visit, a skilled OT will complete an interview with a parent or caregiver to understand the current concerns and the impact of those concerns on a child’s ability to engage in daily life. They will likely complete a formal assessment of motor skills and informal observation of play and interaction skills.”

What to expect during sessions: OT sessions always begin with creating a fun and safe space so a child feels excited about coming to Woven Care!  We will then use play and other engaging activities to address a child’s goals and provide parents with all the tools they need to help their child succeed and carryover skills.

How long will my child need OT? The duration and frequency a child needs OT will vary based on their individual needs.  They will need some time to learn new skills and naturally develop. Remember, every child moves at their own pace!  Your OT will provide continuous guidance about your child’s progress and when to expect a graduation!

When to ask your Dr for a referral to OT:

Contact a pediatric occupational therapist if your child:

• Misses developmental milestones for their age
• Has trouble interacting with people or certain environments
• Is having difficulty in school with writing, learning, or focusing
• Has very limited clothing or food tolerance
• Struggles to identify and regulate emotions