Pediatric occupational therapy is a gratifying field that offers numerous possibilities to make a significant impact on a child’s life. Pediatric occupational therapists collaborate with infants and children who have various disabilities and medical conditions. This essential role not only enhances the patient’s quality of life but also offers support and encouragement to their families.

Understanding Pediatric Occupational Therapy

Pediatric occupational therapists cater to patients across various age groups, from premature infants to young adults. The therapist’s role changes depending on the patient’s needs and diagnosis. While they predominantly treat children with conditions such as cerebral palsy, autism, and Down syndrome, they also support children with rare genetic disorders and those recovering from serious treatments and illnesses.

Besides daily living activities like eating and dressing, occupational therapists also assist children in overcoming obstacles to participate in age-appropriate tasks, such as education and play. Their focus spans across multiple areas, including fine motor skills, sensory input, attention, and direction following.

Pediatric occupational therapists also engage in extensive caregiver training, teaching parents everything from transferring a child between a bed and a wheelchair to applying splints and orthotics.

The Necessity of Occupational Therapy for Children

While the fundamentals of occupational therapy for children and adults are similar, the field is unique, with its distinct challenges, techniques, and successes.

Various reasons necessitate occupational therapy for children, including:

• Delays in fine motor skills like handwriting or using scissors
• Movement and coordination difficulties, such as jumping, balancing, and running
• Poor visual-motor skills, like tracking objects and hand-eye coordination
• Cognitive delays covering problem-solving, memory, attention, following instructions, and organization
• Sensory integration issues
• Delays in play and social interaction skills
• Deficits in fundamental self-care tasks like feeding, dressing, and toileting

Assessing Children for Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapy assessments for children vary according to their age and development stage. Therapists must select the appropriate assessment type based on the child’s age, diagnosis, development level, and requirements.

Some standardized assessment models include:

1. Beery-Buktenica Developmental Test of Visual-Motor Integration: This test evaluates visual-motor integration skills in clinical settings and schools. It is suitable for children of all ages, starting as young as two.
2. Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency: Applicable to children aged 4 to 21, this test measures fine and gross motor skills in clinical settings and schools.
3. Developmental Assessment of Young Children: Used in early intervention for children aged up to six, this assessment involves a team comprising occupational therapists, special education teachers, physical therapists, and speech and language pathologists.
4. Sensory Processing Measure: Designed for children aged 2 to 12, this tool comprises two questionnaires filled out by adults who frequently interact with the child, typically a parent and a teacher.
5. Peabody Developmental Motor Scales: A staple in early intervention for children aged 2 to 5, this assessment measures gross and fine motor skills. It can be adapted to suit the child’s age, with some assessments applicable to children as young as 11 months old.

Occupational Therapy Games for Children

Games play a vital role in occupational therapy for children, as they not only improve balance, motor planning, and movement but also make therapy enjoyable. Engaging and entertaining activities are more likely to yield positive outcomes from therapy. Games also make therapy more accessible for families, reducing anxiety and facilitating easy and enjoyable interactions.

Numerous games are available, including occupational therapy board games and online games. These seemingly straightforward games offer multiple benefits to children. Ten examples include:

1. Creating edible necklaces by stringing Cheerios or Froot Loops onto a piece of string
2. Using construction paper cutouts as shadow puppets
3. Crafting paper airplanes and testing their flying abilities
4. Drawing amusing faces on people in magazines and newspapers
5. Tearing paper strips into pieces to make graffiti
6. Participating in an egg and spoon race
7. Solving jigsaw puzzles or creating custom ones
8. Erasing specific letters or numbers on a whiteboard based on clues
9. Sorting colorful pom-poms by color using tweezers
10. Feeding coins, pompoms, or buttons to a tennis ball with googly eyes and a cut-open mouth

Comparing Pediatric Occupational Therapy and General Occupational Therapy

While both fields share the same principles, pediatric occupational therapy differs significantly from occupational therapy for adults. The primary distinction lies in the goals set for each group.

Adult occupational therapy typically addresses injuries or disabilities, aiming to restore patients to their baseline or help them function independently. In contrast, pediatric occupational therapy focuses on developing the skills children need for playing, learning, and socializing, such as fine motor skills and sensory processing. Parents also play a crucial role in pediatric OT sessions and continue the work at home, reinforcing newly acquired skills and strategies.

Another difference lies in the assessment tools and therapeutic interventions employed. Since pediatric patients have unique developmental, cognitive, and physical needs, therapists must adapt their approach accordingly. Pediatric OT requires specific knowledge and a specialized skill set tailored to children’s needs and development stages.

Moreover, the therapy setting diverges between the two fields. Pediatric OT often takes place in various settings, including schools, early intervention centers, hospitals, and clients’ homes. On the other hand, adult occupational therapy typically occurs in hospitals, outpatient clinics, and rehabilitation centers.

Lastly, the rapport between therapists and their patients varies significantly. Pediatric occupational therapists must establish trusting relationships with both the child and their family. They often use play-based activities and games to engage children, making therapy enjoyable and motivating. Adult occupational therapy, however, focuses on more practical and functional tasks, with an emphasis on goal-setting and problem-solving.