What is occupational therapy for kids?

Occupational therapy (OT) for children is a specialized form of therapy designed to support kids who experience physical, sensory, cognitive, or developmental challenges. Occupational therapy helps kids build the skills they need to do everyday things, like getting dressed, playing with friends, or keeping up at school. It helps them feel more confident and independent in daily life.

Pediatric occupational therapists work with children of all abilities, including those with typical development, developmental delays, disabilities, injuries, or illnesses. They also work with children who have injuries and use adaptive equipment. These are  tools, devices, or products designed to help kids with physical, developmental, or sensory challenges. Therapists tailor therapy to each child’s unique needs and focus on building skills that are critical for daily life, learning, and play.

Through targeted interventions, occupational therapists help children enhance their fine motor skills, cognitive abilities, language development, sensory processing, and basic life skills. Therapy also fosters emotional growth, boosts confidence, and helps children participate more effectively at home and in social environments.

Benefits of occupational therapy for kids

Here are some of the core benefits of occupational therapy for children:

• Strengthen fine motor skills: Improves control of small muscles in the hands and fingers for tasks like writing, cutting, and buttoning clothes. 

• Enhance hand-eye coordination: Develops the ability to coordinate visual input with motor actions, which is essential for sports, drawing, and writing. 

• Improve school performance: Helps children gain the skills needed to participate in classroom activities and improve academic outcomes.

• Build self-esteem and confidence: Encourages mastery of skills, which increases a child’s confidence in their abilities.

• Master life skills: Teaching self-care and activities of daily living, such as dressing, bathing, and self-feeding.

• Develop social and emotional skills: Helping kids improve social skills, communication, cooperation, and emotional regulation during interactions with peers and adults.

When should a child be referred to a pediatric occupational therapist?

If a child is struggling with everyday tasks, like getting dressed, holding a pencil, or joining in at school or on the playground, it might be a good idea to talk to a pediatric occupational therapist. They can help support the child’s development, independence, and ability to take part in daily life. Below are common signs your child may need an OT referral, by age:

Infants (0 to12 months)

• Delayed acquisition of fine motor milestones (like not reaching, grasping, or manipulating objects as expected for age).

• Feeding difficulties or oral-motor dysfunction, such as poor sucking, swallowing, or transitioning to solids.

• Poor regulation of sleep or rest routines, including difficulty establishing or maintaining sleep patterns.

• Sensory processing concerns, such as excessive sensitivity or lack of response to sensory input (touch, sound, movement).

• Limited engagement in age-appropriate play or social interaction (lack of interest in toys or people).

Toddlers (1 to 3 years)

• Ongoing delays in self-care skills like feeding, dressing, or potty training.

• Challenges with motor planning or coordination, often seen as frequent clumsiness or difficulty completing age-appropriate tasks.

• Behavioral difficulties that disrupt daily routines, such as strong resistance to transitions or common activities.

• Sensory processing issues including heightened sensitivity to textures, sounds, or movement, or an unusual craving for sensory input.

• Limited participation in play or social activities, such as avoiding peer play or not using toys in typical ways.

Preschoolers (3 to 5 years)

• Struggles with pre-academic skills like drawing, cutting, or handling small objects.

• Challenges with social-emotional development, including trouble managing emotions, following instructions, or adapting to group routines.

• Sensory or motor difficulties that interfere with classroom participation, such as trouble sitting still, focusing, or joining group activities.

• Needs support for school readiness and may require specialized education services when motor, sensory, or self-care delays affect their ability to participate fully.

  

How do pediatricians work together with pediatric occupational therapists?

Pediatricians and occupational therapists work closely to support a child’s development by staying in communication and coordinating care. Pediatricians often spot early signs of delays during checkups and can refer families to an OT for a more in-depth evaluation. Once therapy begins, pediatricians help by writing or updating therapy prescriptions and may check in with the OT to stay informed on the child’s progress.

Both professionals work together, along with the family, to set goals that are meaningful, realistic, and aligned with the child’s needs. They may also collaborate with early intervention programs, schools, and community services to make sure the child gets consistent support across all environments.

What happens during pediatric occupational therapy?

The process typically begins with a referral from your pediatrician, often after concerns arise during a well-child visit or when you share observations about your child’s development or daily skills. 

During the initial evaluation, the pediatric occupational therapist will assess your child’s abilities and challenges through a combination of observations, hands-on activities, and questions directed to both you and your child. They may evaluate motor skills, play behaviors, handwriting or coloring, self-feeding, and other daily activities. Based on this assessment, the therapist will create a personalized treatment plan that includes recommendations for therapy frequency and activities to practice at home to support your child’s progress.

What’s the difference between occupational therapy and physical therapy?

While both therapies help kids grow stronger and more capable, they focus on different areas. Physical therapy (PT) helps with gross motor skills like walking, climbing stairs, balancing, and building overall strength and coordination.

Occupational therapy emphasizes fine motor skills, self-care, sensory processing, and participation in daily activities such as feeding, dressing, play, and school tasks. Occupational therapy addresses both habilitation (acquisition of new skills) and rehabilitation (restoration of lost skills). Simply put, PT helps kids move better, while OT helps them do more with those movements in their daily life.

If you have questions about pediatric occupational therapy, reach out to your local or Summer Health pediatrician for support. Summer Health is a pediatric telehealth platform offering 24/7 care, providing answers for everything from urgent concerns to everyday questions about your child’s health.