What is Pediatric Occupational Therapy?

Pediatric occupational therapy provides support for infants and children who are at risk for delays or those with conditions impacting development.  Occupational therapists address issues that impact a child’s ability to participate in age appropriate tasks such as eating, sleeping, moving, playing, participating in daily routines and social engagement. The goal of pediatric occupational therapy is to maximize development and minimize potential for delays through a hands on treatment approach and by supporting caregivers to understand and meet the needs of their infants and children.   

It’s helpful to look for signs that your child may be at risk for future problems. The key is to get your baby or child the help they need as soon as you think there’s a problem.

  • Difficulty with tummy time skills

    Does your baby hate tummy time? Do they arch and cry in tummy time?

  • Head turn preference, torticollis or plagiocephaly

    Does your baby like to look more to one side or the other? Are they able to roll only in 1 direction? Do they have flattening on one side of their head or back of head?

  • Challenges meeting developmental milestones

    Did your child skip crawling? Is your child delayed in walking? Poor fine motor skills?

  • Feeding and Swallowing Difficulties

    Does your child have difficulty with breast or bottle feeding? Does your baby or child have difficulty gaining weight? Are feedings a struggle for you and your baby? Do they have difficulty transitioning to solid foods? Are they limited in their food variety?

  • Self regulation difficulties

    Does your baby having difficulty getting to or staying asleep? Are they frequently irritable and difficult to calm? Do they have trouble handling changes in routine or transitioning from one activity to the next?

  • Sensory Processing Difficulty

    Is your child bothered by certain touch or when their hands and face are messy? Are they sensitive to loud noises? Are they irritated by certain clothing? Are they fearful of movement or constantly on the move?