Occupational therapy engages the use of primary everyday activities to aid patients in participating in such functions, their physical and emotional impairment notwithstanding. While this type of therapy is usually applied on adults and senior citizens, children can also benefit from it. Read on and know why occupational therapy can help in your child’s development.
What is Occupational Therapy for Kids?
The goal of occupational therapy for children is to aid them in performing routine activities. This kind of therapy is essential since it has a direct influence on the child’s learning experience and development.
A child’s physical, social and cognitive development is typically honed during his early years; thus, this period is important. However, not all children are capable of effectively getting through their developmental achievements. There are kids who have not progressed as they should, thus their development or learning ways are limited or hindered.
Occupational therapy could be the solution for children suffering from such problems; it can provide what they require for ideal growth and better wellbeing.
Occupational Therapy Target Areas
Occupational therapy or OT can help improve your child’s ability to cope with everyday activities. Here are some areas where the application of occupational therapy has proven to be beneficial.
- Social and emotional regulation
Children who cannot self-regulate and concentrate on specific activities or tasks might experience social and emotional problems in the long run. Occupational therapy can aid kids in developing this particular skill, allow them to better monitor self-regulation and foster better approaches to regulate.
- Self-care abilities
Accomplishing routine self-care duties is important in building your child’s independence. Daily activities like tying shoelaces and working with buttons and zippers can be improved through OT. Occupational therapists can instill motor skills and planning plus sequencing on children to help them accomplish such activities.
- School preparedness
Every day, your child is obligated to attend school and accomplish different tasks and activities. Kids struggling with printing abilities can benefit from occupational therapy. Therapists can help children advance their printing capabilities by reinforcing the strength in their arms and hands and enhance their coordination and pencil-grasping skills. Better printing abilities also encourage children to appreciate school work more.
- Playing skills
Playing is an activity that is a constant favorite among children. This activity is not only enjoyable but has a profound impact on a child’s motor, social and cognitive abilities. Children who have a hard time getting involved in playtime can affect those aforementioned areas. OT specialists aid kids in acquiring needed strength, better hand and eye coordination and motor skills to improve their involvement in such activities.
Children experiencing the following conditions can get plenty of help from occupational therapy:
- Autism
- Down’s Syndrome
- DMD (Duchene Muscular Dystrophy)
- Dyspraxia
- Sensory Processing Disorder
- Spina Bifida
- ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder)
- Cerebral Palsy
- Asperger’s Syndrome
Occupational therapists are always ready to help children cope and accomplish everyday activities and skills. The therapy can also help them adjust better to new capabilities and make their lives simpler, more enjoyable and rewarding.