Why Is Pediatric Occupational Therapy Important?

Occupational therapy comprises individualized healthcare services which help people gain independence and self-confidence through regaining certain basic life skills. It’s especially important for children who may have birth defects, cognitive or developmental deficits, or physical limitations.

Let’s explore more about pediatric occupational therapy as offered by HealthPoint at Wooster Community Hospital.

How Does Occupational Therapy Help a Child?

Occupational therapy can help a child by mitigating or removing the roadblocks to a child’s physical, sensory, social, cognitive, and emotional development. It does so through innovative skill-building exercises, play therapy, and special medical equipment – such as bracing, orthotics, and walking-assistance equipment.

By breaking down functional barriers, occupational therapy helps a child gain the physical skills and neurological capabilities necessary to enjoy life to the fullest. Occupational therapists can work with kids from birth through school age, and can evaluate their strengths and weaknesses to build a treatment plan aimed at maximizing their capabilities.

What Issues Does Pediatric Occupational Therapy Address?

Pediatric occupational therapy helps to reduce the level of impact that chronic or acute medical conditions have on a child’s life and on their overall growth and development. These issues can include:

• Speech deficits due to neurological disorders, physical deformities, or delayed development
• Poor coordination and other neurological deficits due to birth injury or defect
• Physical problems related to juvenile arthritis, hand injuries, or deformities such as a missing limb
• Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
• Spina bifida
• Cerebral palsy
• Multiple sclerosis
• Autism spectrum disorders, both in communication and social interaction issues
• Cancer and problems related to cancer treatment
• Sensory processing disorders

Occupational therapists work with everything from fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination to life skills, such as getting dressed, personal hygiene, and appropriate social skills – such as proper expression of anger and other emotions.

Kids can benefit from occupational therapy in so many ways, but most of all, they get to do things all kids do – including going to school, being with family and friends, and feeling a sense of accomplishment and self-worth.

Should My Child Have Occupational Therapy?

If you are seeing some delays or deficits as you interact with your child, or if your child’s chronic health condition makes their development lag behind other children of the same age, talk to a trusted pediatrician. Your child’s doctor can perform a complete physical exam, discuss their medical history with you, and address the issues which concern you.

Occupational Therapy for Children in Wooster, Ohio

An occupational therapy evaluation at Wooster Community Hospital HealthPoint Rehabilitation may be in order for your child. If appropriate, our occupational therapists will clearly define the treatment goals that are tailored to your child’s needs. Your active participation will be key to your child’s success as your child develops new skills or overcomes deficits.

If you’d like to learn more about pediatric occupational therapy and how it could help your child to live a full, productive life, call HealthPoint Occupational Therapy today at (330) 202-3300 or fill out our appointment request form online now. We look forward to discussing with you how we can help your child!