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How Your Child Can Benefit From Pediatric Occupational Therapy

Every child develops at his or her own pace and it’s not unusual for a child to show developmental delays in one or more areas. Much of the time, this is not cause for concern, since improvements will likely be observed when the child is ready. But when the delay is significant enough to create issues or frustrations for the child, whether at home, at school, or elsewhere, pediatric occupational therapy can be of assistance.

What Is Pediatric Occupational Therapy?

This type of therapy is designed to help children develop the skills that they need for everyday life. Whether it’s basic grooming skills like brushing teeth or combing hair, or school-related tasks like holding a pencil or using scissors, occupational therapists who work with children are able to find ways to make these tasks more manageable for the child who’s experiencing challenges. Pediatric occupational therapy, then, is the practice of turning everyday scenarios into opportunities for therapeutic sessions that help a child develop in key areas.

Occupational therapists are trained to encourage each young patient to become more independent and confident in his or her skills and abilities. Using age-appropriate everyday activities, the therapist works with each child to foster growth and mastery in skills that the child may find challenging. Activities are customized to address each child’s specific needs, and every session builds upon the milestones reached in previous sessions.

When Should I Consider Occupational Therapy For My Child?

Often, a child who seems to be delayed in certain skills will eventually catch up on his or her own. But when progress isn’t being seen, there may be underlying issues preventing the child from learning certain skills. The classroom setting or the home setting may simply not be enough to foster growth in certain areas, and one-on-one pediatric occupational therapy can give the child individual attention in these areas.

Consider occupational therapy for your child when you notice any of the following:

  • Difficulties with everyday tasks at home or at school, with little or no improvement shown over time
  • Frustrations at home, at school, or on the playground with specific activities
  • A reluctance to participate in groups
  • Withdrawing from social activities
  • Bouts of anger, temper tantrums, or signs of feeling sad, depressed, or lacking in confidence

Any of these signs can point to the need for extra help with mastering the tasks required for daily life. The challenges may stem from learning problems such as dyslexia or dysgraphia, from illnesses or injuries, from disorders such as sensory processing disorders, or from traumatic events. The root cause of the issues may even be undiagnosed, but your child can still get the help he or she needs.

We’re Here To Help

Our compassionate occupational therapists will patiently work with your child to help him or her develop fine motor and visual perception skills, improve focus and attention, improve coordination, master everyday tasks, and grow in both independence and self-confidence. If you feel your child can benefit from pediatric occupational therapy, give Colorado in Motion a call today. For your convenience, we have several office locations available.

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