Occupational Therapy

Oftentimes, when someone hears the word “occupation” they may think of a job, vocation, or career. However, in reality the word “occupation” has a much broader context. An occupation is a meaningful and purposeful task that an individual engages in. Examples of occupations include our ability to do self care skills such as dressing, grooming, and bathing. Other meaningful occupations are the ability to walk into a crowded store while maintaining the ability to self-regulate all of the sensory experiences coming at once to avoid overstimulation. Meaningful tasks may also include the ability to resume playing a video game, cutting with scissors, or holding a pencil with efficiency after a chronic injury. Even carrying out academic related tasks are an occupation. Without good sustained attention, self-control, and strong cognitive skills (working memory, organization skills, etc.) it is very difficult to succeed in school related tasks. 

 Occupational Therapists are an important part of the healthcare system because they are certified and trained on helping individuals regain independence in these meaningful occupations. Occupational Therapy takes tasks that have become difficult for an individual to complete and then assist them in regaining function through either rehabilitative or compensatory methods. In children, occupational therapy may include a variety of skills that affect a child’s ability to engage in daily routines and self-cares. Pediatric occupational therapy may address play skills, social interaction, fine motor skills, self-regulation, self-care skills (dressing, grooming, tying shoes, etc.), sleep habits, attention, and sensory systems that affect an individuals ability to independently carry out meaningful occupations.  Occupational Therapy uses a combination of methods to treat a child including sensory integration, task analysis, fine motor skill development, feeding skills, environmental adaptions and caregiver education.