What does a Paediatric Occupational Therapist do?
Paediatric Occupational Therapists work with children, parents, teachers and other professionals on developing a range of individualised skills for a child in order to allow that child to meet their full potential and thrive in the environments in which they live.
What skills do Paediatric Occupational Therapists (OT) work on with kids in intervention?
Fine Motor Skills i.e drawing, writing, fastening buttons, closing zips, tying shoe-laces, cutting & buttering a slice of bread, threading a needle… the list is very long. It can sometimes be hard to motivate kids to practice their fine motor skills if they are struggling in this area. I have created interactive & fun motor skill programs for Preschooler's (3-6) & School-Aged Kids (5-9); to view these just click on the age group that suits your child or student.
Gross Motor Skills i.e. hand-eye coordination, ball skills, balance, body awareness, sporting activities, strength and endurance. If you are looking to develop your child's gross motor skills- you can access some of my fun 'Let's Get Moving' gross motor classes by clicking here.
Oral Motor Skills i.e chewing foods or using a straw or cup.
Attention & Concentration
Visual Perceptual & Visual Motor Skills which can affect drawing, writing, sequencing, organisational skills, studying, speed reading and memory. There are tons of resources that work on these skills available through my Free Resource Kit. You can access it by clicking here.
Emotional Regulation & Social Skills: turn-taking, sharing, assertiveness, coping with failure and change, problem solving in social situations, learning to understand and cope with our emotions etc..
Independence in Activities of Daily Living (ADL’s)- play (being the no.1 ), toileting, feeding, washing, grooming and dressing.
Processing of sensory input which can affect a child’s ability to try new foods, regulate their emotions & cope with criticism, tolerate changes in temperature/clothing/tone of voice, seeking of movement & pressure etc. & the severity of the impact can vary between kids.
If you are looking for more information on areas relating to OT like motor skill development, developmental milestones & sensory processing; I have completed educational & interactive videos which are available by clicking here.
How do I find an Occupational Therapist?
Every country will have their own association for Occupational Therapists which will normally have a search engine where you can find registered OT's in private practice. In Ireland, you can search the AOTI website to find registered OT's that are working in your area. You can also access public services by contacting your local health office or asking your G.P/Family Physician for a referral.
Let me know if you have any questions by commenting below,
Jess
Offering Home-Based Occupational Therapy & Telehealth in Ireland.
CONTENT DISCLAIMER: Jessica Kennedy is a Certified CORU Registered Occupational Therapist. All information on the website is for informational purposes only and is not a replacement for medical advice from your physician. Please consult with a medical professional if you suspect any medical or developmental issues with your child. Do not rely on the information on the website as an alternative to advice from your medical professional or healthcare provider. You should never delay seeking medical advice, disregard medical advice, or discontinue medical treatment as a result of any information provided on the website. All medical information on the website is for informational purposes only. All activities outlined on the website are designed for completion with adult supervision. Please use your own judgment with your child and do not provide objects that could pose a choking hazard to young children. Never leave a child unattended during these activities. Please be aware of and follow all age recommendations on all products used in these activities. My OT & Me is not liable for any injury when replicating any of the activities found on this blog or website
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