What Is Occupational Therapy (OT)?
Occupational therapy (OT) is a healthcare profession that focuses on helping people with physical, cognitive, and social limitations to develop the skills they need to live as independently as possible. Occupational therapy can help people with physical limitations such as blindness or paraplegia use their remaining senses to do everyday tasks like walking, picking up objects, and eating.
Occupational therapists can also help people who have cognitive disabilities learn how to handle everyday tasks. They can also help people with mental health challenges learn how to live independently by taking care of themselves at home or in their community.
Occupational Therapy For Children
Occupational therapy is a service offered by occupational therapists to help children with developmental delays or disabilities. Occupational therapists work with children who have a variety of physical, cognitive, and behavioural challenges.
The service typically focuses on helping children to improve their communication skills, improve their social interaction skills, develop self-care skills and increase their motor skills.
Occupational therapists will also work on improving a child’s self-esteem by providing them with positive feedback that they can use to feel good about themselves. For example, if a child has difficulty expressing himself verbally, the therapist may work with him on how to use sign language or gestures so that he can communicate more effectively.
Occupational therapy can be used in many different areas, including:
Physical Disabilities
Physical disabilities in children are any physical conditions that affect a child’s ability to move, grow, or speak. These conditions can be caused by injury or illness, but they can also be congenital (present at birth). Physical disabilities can also be caused by medical treatments or surgeries.
Neurological Conditions Such As Autism Or Cerebral Palsy
Neurological conditions such as autism or cerebral palsy in children are a group of disorders that affect the brain and nervous system. They are characterized by deficits in social interaction, communication, and behaviour.
There are several types of neurological disorders, including cerebral palsy, epilepsy, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and intellectual disability (formerly mental retardation). The most common neurological conditions in children are autism spectrum disorder and cerebral palsy.
Learning Disabilities (Such As Dyslexia)
Learning disabilities (such as dyslexia) in children are a group of disorders that affect the way a person learns. Children with learning disabilities may have problems with reading or writing, both verbally and visually.
They may also struggle with processing information from one medium to another (for example, from writing to speaking). These difficulties may make it hard for them to learn in school or do well on tests.
Developmental Delays And Delays In Motor Development
Developmental delays and delays in motor development in children are a type of learning disability that affects how a child learns to walk, talk, move, and see. It is also known as a neurological disability or intellectual disability.
Developmental delays can be caused by brain damage, illness, or genetic factors. The most common developmental delay is called “neurological impairment”, which means that the brain has not developed properly during childhood.
The symptoms of this condition include low muscle tone (hypotonic), slow growth rate (delayed maturation), poor coordination (ataxia) and poor vision (strabismus).
Depression, Anxiety, Bipolar Disorder, Schizophrenia And Other Mood Disorders
Depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and other mood disorders in children are all serious mental health disorders. These conditions can be extremely difficult to diagnose and treat and can cause severe impairment in functioning and quality of life for the child.
Depression is a common mental health condition that has been linked to a number of physical health problems as well. Depression affects nearly 7% of children between the ages of 10 and 17 years old. Depression is defined as a persistent feeling of sadness or hopelessness that lasts for more than two weeks.
Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD)
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disorder that affects brain development. It can cause delays in language and social skills, as well as unusual behaviour and interests. Children with ASD have difficulties with social interactions, including getting along with others and understanding what others are thinking or feeling.
They may also have problems with communication, including speaking and listening.
Some children with ASD may have seizures, sleep problems, and gastrointestinal issues. They may need help from special education teachers to learn how to use tools like scissors or markers, or they may need help understanding instructions during schoolwork.
