Some people may think that occupational therapy is only for adults; kids after all, do not have occupations. But a child’s main job is playing and learning and an occupational therapist can evaluate a child’s school performance and daily activities, and compare them with what is developmentally appropriate for that age group.

Our occupational therapists work with developmental conditions, sensory regulation, fine more motor developmental delays and autism. Occupational therapy improves cognitive and motor skills, enhances a child’s self-esteem, and sense of accomplishment.

Pediatric occupational therapy can:

help kids work on fine motor skills so they can grasp and release toys and develop good handwriting skills

address hand-eye coordination to improve kids' play skills (hitting a target, batting a ball, copying from a blackboard, etc.)

help kids with severe developmental delays learn basic tasks (such as bathing, getting dressed, brushing their teeth, and eating)

help kids with behavioral disorders learn anger-management techniques (i.e., instead of hitting others or acting out, using positive ways to deal with anger, such as writing about feelings or participating in a physical activity)

teach kids with physical disabilities the coordination skills needed to eat, use a computer, etc

evaluate a child's need for specialized equipment, such as wheelchairs, splints, or communication aids

work with kids who have sensory and attentional issues to improve focus and social skills