Pediatric occupational therapy can be a great benefit to children who have physical, sensory, cognitive, and/or developmental disabilities. In this blog, NAPA OT Wendy is here to discuss what pediatric occupational therapy entails, how it can help your child, and the expected timeline for improvement.
Occupational therapy is a field that approaches the whole person and works on overall function for improvement and independence in all areas of life. The American Occupational Therapy Association defines it simply as “Occupational therapy enables people of all ages to participate in daily living.”
Occupational therapy will help your child have improved overall function and independence during their daily tasks.
As a pediatric occupational therapist, I believe occupational therapy can be beneficial for most people at any stage in life. Occupational therapy will help your child have improved overall function and independence during their daily tasks. This can mean improved balance, increased independence with feeding, increased safety awareness, independence during dressing, improved hand function for handwritten tasks, etc.
Used for all age groups, occupational therapy (OT) aims to bring individuals to their full capabilities, whether it is short-term therapy, weekly sessions, or an intensive therapy approach.
Related Reading: 3 Benefits of Occupational Therapy You May Not Know About
Scheduling an occupational therapy evaluation is so important. An OT can help answer questions you might have during the evaluation process and assist you with the right path to take, whether it be in the form of weekly services, intensive therapies, home-based intervention, school services, or a comprehensive home program.
There is no age limit for starting occupational therapy services. Children from birth to adulthood can benefit from interventions. Some children may not show signs early on; it’s okay if your child is older and you feel he/she needs services. As soon as you have a concern, contact a local clinic to schedule an appointment for an occupational therapy evaluation. An OT can perform testing to help identify what needs your child has and the best ways to assist your child, and you.
Improvement is based on the individual and what goals you make with your team. There is not a set timeline, but often therapists work on creating measurable and reachable goals within 3-6 month timelines. A therapist will create meaningful goals for your child using input received from testing, clinical observations, and information provided by you as a parent or caregiver.
If you feel your child needs occupational therapy services, don’t hesitate to reach out to a local clinic to schedule an OT evaluation.
Wendy Stroda, OTR/L, CTRS, is a dedicated pediatric occupational therapist at NAPA Austin with dual Master’s degrees in Recreation Therapy and Occupational Therapy. She has over 13 years of home health experience and a decade of leading an adaptive gymnastics program. Wendy is certified in Handwriting Without Tears, NDT Pediatrics, Pediatric Kinesio Taping, and more, staying current with innovative therapy techniques. Originally from Houston, Wendy now enjoys exploring Austin’s outdoors with her husband, two children, and their dogs.
NAPA Center is a world-renowned pediatric therapy clinic, providing impactful weekly and intensive therapy sessions to help children reach their highest potential. Our multidisciplinary approach integrates physical, occupational, speech and feeding therapy into customized therapy sessions tailored to each child’s needs.
Interested in bringing your child to NAPA for weekly or intensive therapy? Book a free phone screening with one of our therapists to learn more and hear our personalized recommendations for your child. Welcome to the NAPA Family!
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