What is Occupational Therapy?
This information page is designed to help parents understand the key skills that occupational therapists address and provides insight into each skill's significance for their child's development.
Fine Motor
Fine motor skills refer to the small movements of the hands and fingers that are essential for everyday tasks. In children, these skills are crucial for activities like writing, buttoning shirts, tying shoelaces, using utensils, opening containers, playing with toys and more. Developing fine motor skills helps children gain independence and confidence as they learn to manipulate objects, complete self-care tasks and explore the world around them.
Gross Motor
Gross motor skills involve the large muscle movements that enable children to perform activities such as walking, running, jumping, and climbing. These skills are crucial for physical development and play a significant role in a child’s ability to explore their environment and interact with peers. As children strengthen their gross motor skills, they enhance their coordination and balance, boost their physical health, and foster confidence, all of which lay the groundwork for lifelong healthy habits.
Sensory Processing
Sensory processing refers to the brain's ability to receive, interpret, and respond to sensory information from the environment. These sensory inputs include sights, sounds, textures, tastes, and smells. Responding to sensory stimuli is crucial for children to effectively engage with the world around them and influences their behavior, attention, and learning. Challenges in sensory processing can affect a child's daily activities, social interactions, and emotional regulation; therefore, supporting sensory development can help children navigate sensory experiences more effectively, enhancing their overall well-being and fostering greater adaptability in various situations throughout life.
Emotional Regulation
Emotional regulation refers to a child's ability to recognize, understand, and manage their emotions in a healthy way. Developing strong emotional regulation skills is essential for fostering resilience, enhancing relationships, and promoting positive behavior. Challenges in this area can impact a child's ability to navigate daily situations, express themselves appropriately, and manage their emotions. Therefore, nurturing emotional regulation helps children build self-awareness and equips them with strategies to manage their emotions effectively throughout life.
Visual Processing
Visual processing plays a critical role in a child's development. Occupational therapists focus on how visual skills affect a child's functional abilities in daily activities. These essential skills include visual tracking, scanning, convergence, divergence, visual-motor integration, and eye-hand coordination. Difficulties in these areas can impact reading, copying from the board, writing, and participating in both group and independent activities. Occupational therapists assess children who struggle with visual processing and work to enhance these skills, boosting confidence, independence, and overall performance in various learning environments and everyday situations.
Self Care
Self-care skills are essential for a child's independence and daily functioning. These skills include dressing, which involves putting on and taking off clothing; feeding, which includes using utensils and managing picky eating; toileting, which encompasses recognizing the need to go, using the toilet independently, and washing hands; personal hygiene, such as brushing teeth and washing hands; grooming, like combing hair; and managing personal belongings, such as packing a backpack. Occupational therapists assist children in enhancing these skills by assessing individual challenges and providing tailored strategies and adaptations. This support fosters independence, promotes developmental growth, and builds responsibility and confidence.
