Occupational Therapy: Skills for the Job of Living
The term “occupation” covers more than just paid jobs. Occupations are the ordinary, familiar and meaningful activities that people do every day. Occupational therapy (OT) helps children learn skills and participate in activities for successful, independent daily living. Most important, OT at Cincinnati Children’s makes it possible for children, adolescents and young adults with injuries, physical challenges or developmental disabilities to engage in normal daily life to the greatest extent possible.
What Occupational Therapy Offers your Child
For children, OT focuses on developing specific life skills rather than job-related functions. Through specific exercises and task-related activities, occupational therapists help your child learn and regain these critical skills. Our programs are individualized to address each child’s unique needs and challenges. And when skill and strength cannot be developed or improved, we work with your child and family to develop creative alternatives and solutions to achieve functional goals.
Our Occupational Therapy Services Include:
- Assessment and treatment that enhances normal development, allows your child to regain function and helps your child achieve normal performance in daily activities
- Customized treatment programs that address each child’s unique challenges and strengths
- Recommendations and training in the use of equipment that helps replace lost function
- Recommendations on how to adapt the home and school environment
- Guidance for family members about safe and effective methods of caring for your child
Treatment Customized for Your Child
Our occupational therapists work with physical therapists and other specialists to create a customized program to address your child’s unique needs. The therapy process includes an initial evaluation, at which we assess your child’s current level of functioning in areas such as:
- Fine motor skills
- Activities of daily living
- Perceptual skills
- Wheelchair and adaptive equipment needs
- Cognitive skills
- Oral motor function and feeding skills
- Sensory integration
- Aquatic (pool) therapy to strengthen weak muscles
Guidelines for determining frequency of therapy service are used to help decide how often and for how long your child could benefit from therapy. We believe in ongoing communication with the child’s family, physicians and teachers to ensure appropriate treatment. Our therapists will work with you to develop the most appropriate and effective plan of care for your child. From the day your child enters therapy, our primary goal is to help your entire family develop the skills and knowledge to help your child continue to thrive after the course of treatment ends.
