Occupational Therapy for Children

It is easy to take for granted the ease with which children acquire skills and develop. Not until a child's ability to learn or move is challenged by a disability, co-ordination problem or a learning difficulty do we realise how quickly a child's development can be interrupted, delayed or stopped.

Paediatric Occupational Therapists (OT's) work to help your child to develop his, or her, full potential. The name Occupational Therapy suggests therapy for those with an "occupation" or "job". In a sense this is right, but for OT's the "job" is day to day living. This can helps the child have confidence to make choices and decisions and then try new challenges for themselves.

OT's are primarily concerned with the impact of a movement or learning difficulty on self-care or self-help skills, play, leisure and school life. These terms really refer to the practical challenges in day to day life encountered at home and at school, such as dressing, eating, difficulties using scissors, pens, pencils and paper, tying shoe laces, handling toys and playing with friends.

OT's see children with a wide range of difficulties and conditions. These include Developmental Co-ordination Disorders (eg. Dyspraxia), neurological and orthopaedic conditions, learning difficulties, visual perceptual and visual motor-integration problems, degenerative disorders and genetic or chromosomal disorders.

OT?s work in partnership with, and support, families and children in various ways. They may offer a range of therapies such as Sensory Integration and Bobath Neurodevelopmental Therapy, adapted to the home or school environment to achieve functional goals. They can help the child develop alternative strategies to succeed in specific tasks. OT's help to ensure that play is varied, developmentally appropriate and fun. OT's promote participation in hobbies and other interests by reducing barriers to play. Amongst other things, OT's look at the way children manage their school work, interact with others, organise themselves, and handle tools and equipment. They also access all aspects of the school curriculum. They may also make orthotics, provide equipment and give advice.

As a child and family's priorities and needs change, so the nature of therapy may also change. For example a young child may need help handling small toys, pencils and paper, while later on the same child may need help promoting friendships or taking responsibility for their own daily tasks.

Every parent wants "the best" for their child / children. OT's work in partnership with families to consider their concerns, expectations and goals. OT's help children to deal with any problems identified, to take opportunities, to be able to say "Look what I can do!" with confidence and to exercise choice; to be able to contribute and have their own needs understood and respected.

The Kiki's Children's Clinic offers parents both Paediatric Physiotherapy and Paediatric Occupational Therapy services, either independently or working closely together, as appropriate, delivered in the clinic, your home or in the school environment.

Where is treatment available?

• Kiki's Children's Clinic
• Your home
• Nursery / School

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