Skills for the Job of Living
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 importantly, OT at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center makes it possible for children, adolescents and young adults with injuries, physical challenges or developmental disabilities to live their lives to the fullest.
Our Occupational Therapy Services Include:
- Assessment and treatment that enhances normal development and performance and allows children to regain function
- Customized treatment programs
- 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 their child
What Occupational Therapy Offers
For children, occupational therapy focuses on developing specific life skills rather than job-related functions.
Occupational therapy helps children further develop or regain skills through specific exercises and task-related activities.
Individualized therapy programs address fine motor skills (such as using hands for drawing, cutting, writing, grasping) and daily living skills such as eating, dressing and play.
When skill and strength cannot be developed or improved, OT offers creative solutions and alternatives for carrying out daily activities.
Treatment Customized for Your Child
Our occupational therapists work with physical therapists and other specialists to create a customized program based on each child's needs, and using the latest, most proven approaches to therapy. The therapy process includes an initial evaluation. During this evaluation, our therapists 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
We use a program known as Models of Therapy to help decide how often and for how long therapy services are needed. Your therapist will provide you with a brochure to help explain the Models of Therapy approach, and will work with you to develop the best plan of care for your child.
We believe in ongoing communication with the child's family, physicians and teachers to ensure appropriate treatment.
From the day a child or adolescent enters therapy, the primary goal is to help the child and family progress to a point where they no longer need therapy services.
