Occupational Therapy
Improving Fine Motor Skills and Social-Emotional Development
Occupational therapy helps children gain independent performance in basic activities, such as getting dressed, feeding themselves, brushing their teeth, and communicating with other children. This therapy aims to help children develop the skills necessary to gain functional independence in their day-to-day lives.
Occupational Therapists are professionals that help children with physical, sensory, or cognitive delays be as independent as possible in aspects of life involving physical activities and social-emotional development.
Our State Licensed and Master’s Trained therapists provide therapy and treatment with fine motor, visual motor, or self-care skills; orthopedic injuries or impairments; autism/pervasive developmental disorders; and sensory processing disorders.
Some tools that children learn to use in occupational therapy include taking part in playing, learning, interacting with others, communicating their wants, and self-care.
Helping Children Gain Independence and Fulfillment
A child’s role in life is to live and learn freely. Playing and interacting with other children is a vital part of early physical and emotional development.
When a child’s ability to interact with their peers or environment is inhibited, it can stunt the meaningful growth and development that helps them lead an independent, fulfilling life.
Signs that a child may benefit from occupational therapy services may include difficulty coping with frustration, inability to concentrate or focus, poor impulse control, frequent emotional outbursts, avoidance of personal touch, challenges adapting to new habits, and more.
At Atlantic Speech Therapy, we work with the child, family, and environment to improve, create, and/or restore a child’s ability to participate in meaningful activities.
Who Can Benefit From Occupational Therapy?
Occupation therapy present many benefits for children and is not strictly for those with diagnosed medical conditions.
- ADD & ADHD
- Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Behavioral Problems
- Birth Injuries
- Cerebral Palsy
- Developmental Delay
- Down Syndrome
- Early Intervention & Developmental Delays
- Fine Motor Difficulties
- Handwriting Remediation
- Learning Problems
- Picky Eating & Feeding Therapy
- Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD)
- Traumatic Injuries (Brain or Spinal Cord)
The best way to determine if occupational therapy will help is to speak with a licensed professional who can evaluate your child.
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Ways That Occupational Therapy Can Help Your Child
Fine Motor Coordination
Strengthen the development of fine motor skills, sensory-motor skills, and visual motor skills that allow children to perform basic activities like getting dressed, feeding themselves, and brushing their teeth.
Social-Emotional Development
Increase your child’s social-emotional learning and executive function skills through social activities involving playing, learning, interacting with others, and self-care.
Overcoming Developmental Delays
Occupational therapy is designed to address the specific sensory and developmental challenges a child is facing, focusing on the individual needs that will maximize functional progress during therapy.
Achieving Independence
The goal of occupational therapy is to help children develop the skills necessary to gain independence with basic and daily activities so that they may live a more fulfilling and prosperous life.
Children with Sensory Issues
Occupational therapy is particularly beneficial for children with sensory and developmental issues, such as those found in Down Syndrome and Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Early treatment programs like speech therapy, occupational therapy, and physical therapy can significantly improve a child’s ability to communicate with others and perform tasks necessary to live independently.
Our therapists work one-on-one with our patients and involve parents with ongoing therapies at home. If your primary care doctor recommends speech, occupational, or physical therapy for your child with sensory or developmental issues, contact us today, and we will help to answer your questions and concerns.