Occupational Therapy
for children?
What's involved?

Paediatric Occupational therapists are health professionals who are concerned wiht the way a child's movement or learning difficulties impact both their own, and their family's, daily lives.

A consultation typically consists of an initial assessment of specific physical functions and abilities. The assessment is holistic in nature, taking account of the whole child.

An OT assesment focusses on three main areas of life:-

• Self care and self help
• Play and leisure
• School life and work.

A child's skills and abilities in each of these areas is then related to:-

• Family goals, concerns and expectations
• Age
• Medical history, diagnosis and prognosis
• Developmental levelof movement skills, learning ability and level of social interaction
• The immediate environment

Play constitutes a vital element of each treatment: therapy is FUN!

Techniques employed include:

• Bobath & Neuro-developmental therapy
• Sensory integration therapy
• Orthotics
• Strategies and ideas
• Identifying and getting access to other resources to help the child and family.

Whatever techniques are used in therapy enthusiastic parental involvement at home is essential for optimal long term results.

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