Occupational Therapy
Occupational therapists (OTs)are concerned with the skills of living. They aim to promote each individual’s ability to participate in what they want, need and wish to do in their daily lives.
Occupational therapy (OT) focuses holistically on:
- the child, (their abilities, interests and strengths)
- the child's environments
- where they need to do things
- the supports and barriers within these
- their culture, and family expectations.
- the occupations or activites children wish or need to do, such as personal care, play, school, work and recreation.
Occupational therapists work with children and their families to:
- identify goals related to daily living
- analyse tasks and act as problem solvers
- gain new skills
- develop different ways of doing things
- advise on equipment for home and school
- educate families and others on how to enable children to take part in a desired life activity.
On this page
What do occupational therapists do?
View a videoclip in which Michelle, occupational therapist, and parents of children with cerebral palsy talk about occupational therapy (this link loads a page that commences streaming of a 5.3 Megabyte MOV file of 2 minutes, 6 seconds duration - a text description and transcript of the video is provided)
Novita occupational therapists provide a number of services to clients, their families and others involved in providing support, including:
- identifying each child’s unique skills, abilities, and interests and developing strategies to enhance their ability to focus, and interact with people and activities. Depending on the age of the child and their life stage it may include:
- sensory processing
- visual skills
- play
- hand and upper limb function
- personal care activities, including sleep, toileting, bathing
- participation within child-care, pre-school or school
- preparation for independent living or work
- for older students - personal management, organisational skills, seating and written communication (including use of technology)
- assessment of, and suggestions for the use of a computer, alternative keyboards and voice-activated or other assistive software. Occupational therapists offer a comprehensive assessment and advisory service for special technology including environmental control devices.
- providing advice and information about:
- the skills and abilities needed for independent living and work options
- how to teach children new skills or change how things are done to enable a child to achieve independence
- the development of children’s hand skills (such as playing with toys, handling objects and using tools, such as scissors)
- the development of play and recreation options
- the best positioning and handling of babies and younger children to encourage play and exploration
- environmental adjustments to reduce barriers to participation
- the provision of equipment in the home to assist with personal care (certain equipment, such as shower chairs or hoists for lifting can be provided, subject to funding).
- management of the possible effects of cerebral palsy and other conditions, including increased muscle tone in a child’s body, arms and hands - management may include the use of splints, and working with other professionals to explore treatments involving Botulinum Toxin Type A (Botox) and, less often, surgery
- providing advice and planning for structural changes that may be needed in the home, school, or care environments,to enable care for a child, such as alterations to a bathroom
- consulting with, and training staff in childcare centres, pre-schools and schools about the development of skills in the areas of:
Top of page contents
Read about Kylie learning to play
Read about Brett becoming more independent
Read about Saun preparing to go to high school
Disclaimer Detail: The information on this website is of a general nature only and does not constitute advice. Novita Children's Services makes no representations as to the accuracy, usefulness, suitability or application of the information to a child's particular circumstances. You should seek professional advice before acting or relying on the information. In using this site, you are agreeing to the Terms and Conditions of Use for the site.