Pediatric occupational therapy (OT) provides essential support for children to master daily tasks and activities, focusing on their development and independence. This field addresses various challenges children may face, including sensory processing disorders, developmental delays, and physical disabilities. Pediatric occupational therapists specialize in evaluating and treating children with diverse needs.

Self-regulation is a fundamental skill that influences a child's ability to manage their emotions, thoughts, and behaviors in response to their environment. Understanding and supporting your child's self-regulating ability can be challenging and rewarding. This article delves into self-regulation, how to identify challenges in your child, and actionable steps to support their development in this area.

Sensory seeking is often used in pediatric therapy to describe children who strongly desire sensory experiences. These children seek out activities or stimuli that provide them with increased sensory input, such as touch, taste, movement, pressure, and sound. Understanding sensory-seeking behaviors is helpful for parents, educators, and therapists, as it can play a significant role in a child's development and learning processes.

Bilateral coordination, often referred to as bilateral integration, is a fundamental skill in child development that involves the ability to use both sides of the body together in a coordinated way. This skill is needed for a wide range of everyday activities, from walking and clapping to more complex tasks like writing and tying shoes. Bilateral coordination is not only essential for physical activities but also plays a significant role in cognitive development and academic success.

Visual tracking refers to the ability to control one's eye movements to accurately follow a moving object or to shift the eyes smoothly from one object to another. This skill is needed for various aspects of development, including reading, writing, and participating in sports. Visual tracking is part of a broader category of visual perceptual skills that enable us to interpret and interact with the world around us.

As a pediatric occupational therapist, I know that ADLs are a big deal. One of the most rewarding parts of my job is seeing children achieve independence in their daily activities. Today, I want to share some strategies for helping your child learn to dress themselves, a fundamental skill with a host of technical and long-term benefits.

Sensory play sand is a specially designed material that combines the properties of regular sand with a few additional characteristics, making it clean, mess-free, and moldable. Unlike traditional sand found in playgrounds or beaches, sensory play sand sticks to itself but not to hands, allowing easy cleanup and maintenance. Its unique texture and consistency provide a satisfying sensory experience for children, making it an excellent tool for play, learning, and therapy.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) encompasses a range of neurodevelopmental conditions characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech, and nonverbal communication. Given the spectrum nature of ASD, each individual with autism has a unique set of strengths and challenges. This is where occupational therapy (OT) comes in as a beacon of support, offering tailored strategies to meet the diverse needs of individuals with autism. In this post, I briefly explore the transformative role of occupational therapy in enhancing the lives of those with ASD.

Working effectively with your child's occupational therapist (OT) is crucial for maximizing the benefits of therapy and ensuring consistent support across environments. Here's a comprehensive guide for a productive partnership with your child's OT:

Incorporating simple and effective occupational therapy exercises into morning routines can significantly benefit children by enhancing their motor skills, sensory processing, and independence. Here's a list of tips for integrating these exercises seamlessly into the daily start: