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Occupational therapy
Occupational Therapy
Occupation is defined as the “ordinary and familiar things that people do every day”
(Christiansen, Clark, Kielhofner & Rogers, 1995).
The routines and tasks we undertake each and every day contribute to the way we feel about ourselves. They give us a place in society and facilitate relationships with others.
When illness, injury and/or disability impede an individual’s capacity to engage in meaningful activities, their health and well-being can be affected. This is where Occupational Therapy can assist. As Therapists, we work with individuals to ensure they can perform activities, tasks, and roles that they are expected, want or need to complete.
OT for Children
The primary goals of an Occupational Therapist when working with children is to improve their functional performance across all environments and enhance their capacity to interact within their physical and social environments.
Occupational Therapists assess the child, their environment and the interactions between these two factors in a holistic way. Treatment is then based on the strengths and limitations identified.
Occupational Therapists typically provide intervention for children with the following:
This may be in the areas of:
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Work
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Play
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Leisure
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Self-care
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Sleep
This may be in the areas of:
-
Work
-
Play
-
Leisure
-
Self-care
-
Sleep
-
Autism Spectrum Disorder
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Down Syndrome
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Attention disorders such as ADD/ADHD
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Neurological impairments including cerebral palsy
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Learning delay
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Behavioural challenges
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Fine and gross motor challenges
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Developmental Dyspraxia
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Global Developmental Delay
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Sensory Processing Disorder
