What is occupational therapy?
Pediatric occupational therapists focus on the development of children necessary to be successful in their everyday life. The first five years of life are an important time for growth and development. Development refers to the change in a child that occurs during the life span. The changes occur in an orderly sequence involving physical, emotional and cognitive development. For children who do not progress through the developmental sequence, OT can provide support and skilled treatment to help facilitate and meet the developmental milestones throughout child development.
Nearly all intervention activities with children have playful qualities, because play is an occupation of high relevance and importance to a child. Play within a therapy session begins with the child’s current skill level, then the therapist guides the activity to a point at which it becomes challenging for the child, with the goal of eliciting a higher level response. The therapist grades (makes it easier or more difficult) to focus on the specific skills necessary to help the child meet his/her goal. The therapist supports performance through modeling, cueing, physical assistance, and reinforcement (Case-Smith, 2005).
Nearly all intervention activities with children have playful qualities, because play is an occupation of high relevance and importance to a child. Play within a therapy session begins with the child’s current skill level, then the therapist guides the activity to a point at which it becomes challenging for the child, with the goal of eliciting a higher level response. The therapist grades (makes it easier or more difficult) to focus on the specific skills necessary to help the child meet his/her goal. The therapist supports performance through modeling, cueing, physical assistance, and reinforcement (Case-Smith, 2005).
What needs do occupational therapy address?
- Bilateral motor integration
- Fine motor strength and coordination
- Visual perception
- Visual motor skills
- Handwriting
- Splinting
- Gross and fine motor development
- Self-care
- Sensory processing
- Social skills
- Cognition (memory, sequencing, safety awareness, etc)
- Timing and rhythm
- Adapting activities or providing assistive technology
- Modifying environments
- Promoting children’s participation and preventing disability through education of the child and supporting family
Why should i pick Crossway for my occupational therapy needs?
We have revolutionized the way the children receive treatment. We believe in individualized treatments, as well as opportunities to participate in peer/group sessions, practice the generalization of skills coping, and sensory integration.
At Crossway, we strive to use contemporary therapies to accommodate the changing needs within the therapy population. As apart of our Contemporary Therapies we use Hocoma's ArmeoBoom, Constraint Induced Movement Therapy, Myofascial Release, Kinesio Taping, and the Saebo. For more information about these therapies, please click the links below.
