As parents, we want to see our children thriving and reaching their full potential. However, some children face challenges with the skills needed for participation in childhood occupations like playing, learning, and self-care. If your child is having difficulties in these areas, pediatric occupational therapy can provide helpful interventions and support.
At BUILD Pediatric Occupational Therapy in Cincinnati, Ohio, we specialize in evaluating children's needs and tailoring therapy to help them build the skills and confidence in life skills.
If your child demonstrates difficulty with any of the following, they may benefit from occupational therapy services:
Fine motor skills for writing, buttoning, using utensils
Gross motor abilities for running, jumping, climbing
Sensory processing and integration
Social skills and emotional regulation
Activities of daily living like dressing and feeding
Occupational therapy can provide strategies, adaptive equipment, and environmental modifications to facilitate engagement and participation in everything your child wants and needs to do. Early intervention is key for maximizing each child's functional abilities.
Problems With Coordination or Motor Skills
Some children struggle with poor muscle tone, balance, hand-eye coordination or delayed development of motor skills. They may have unusual grasps when writing or using utensils, fatigue easily, appear clumsy, or avoid sports and physical activity.
A pediatric OT can evaluate underlying factors and offer activities, exercises and assistive tools to build strength, dexterity, and motor planning abilities needed for successful participation.
Difficulties With Focus, Behavior or Sensory Processing
Many kids experience challenges with attention, impulsivity, and emotional or behavioral regulation that interfere with learning, following routines and social interactions. Others may be overly sensitive or under-responsive to sensory input.
Occupational therapists are highly trained in using specialized activities, environment modifications, and self-regulation strategies to meet each child's unique needs for optimal functional performance.
Difficulties with Self Care
Children who struggle with personal care tasks like dressing, bathing, grooming and feeding themselves can become overly dependent on caregivers and experience frustration that stems from a lack of independence. This can stem from physical, cognitive or environmental barriers.
OTs collaborate with families to establish plans for developing independence through adapted techniques, assistive tools, home modifications and built confidence with life skills.
What’s Next
For more information and guidance on signs and/or conditions that may indicate a need for pediatric occupational therapy, check out The American Occupational Therapy Association.
If you have concerns about your child's development or participation in any areas of daily life, the compassionate OT experts at BUILD Pediatric Occupational Therapy in Cincinnati are here to help. With our specialized Self Care, School Skills, and Executive Functioning evaluations, we are able to efficiently identify your child’s strengths and areas of need to build a treatment plan that will leave them feeling confident and successful! Contact us or Schedule your evaluation with our team today.
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