Occupational Therapy (OT)

Occupational therapist helps people with a physical, sensory or cognitive disability to be independent as much as possible in all areas of their lives. OT can help kids with various needs to improve their cognitive, physical, sensory and motor skills and enhance their self-esteem and sense of accomplishment.

          OT interventions focus on adaptation of the child’s environment, modifies the task, teaching skill and educating the child and /or family to increase participation and performance of the child in daily activities especially those which are helpful for the child. Occupational therapist work with association of the child’s physiotherapist, speech therapist and teacher to know and help them improve that child’s skills.

          An occupational therapist helps in child’s day-to-day activities like writing, eating, getting dressed, etc. by breaking a particular activity into smaller parts. For example, if child needs to dressed, then:-

• 1^st go to wardrobe
•  Open the door
• Select a dress
• Lay it on bed
• Then get dressed.

          In other words, the daily activity which is done by us is broken down into simple steps.

Occupational therapy (or OT) helps kids who have a physical, sensory, or cognitive disability carry out everyday activities like brushing their teeth or putting on shoes and socks etc. Many work with kids who need help with their handwriting or in developing learning strategies to help them remain focused in class and get their homework done. Occupational therapy helps children with special needs be as independent as possible or aids a kid who's returning to school after a long illness or severe injury. Some people say a physical therapist will get you where you are going, but an occupational therapist helps you out when you get there. Once the plan is made, then all it takes is practice, practice, practice.

Kids with cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, etc. need help from occupational therapist to develop their hand skills.

Since needs of each child is different, therapy is unique for each child. Also since children learn at their own speed, the duration and improvement too depend on the speed in which the child picks up.