What is Occupational Therapy? Celebrating OT Month By Jessica Tallent, OTR/L Kids Place Pediatric Occupational Therapist Since 1980, the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) has recognized April as occupational therapy month. But what exactly do occupational therapists, specifically pediatric occupational therapists, do? The World Federation of Occupational Therapy (OT) defines occupational therapy as a “client-centered…
Is Occupational Therapy Right For My Child? Pediatric occupational therapy (OT) is a specialty designed to help individuals with developmental, physical, and cognitive delays. Occupational therapists help develop, recover, or maintain skills needed to perform their everyday activities (occupations). A child’s occupation is to play, dress, groom, bath, and perform school work. Factors that may…
What is Occupational Therapy for Kids? by Thomas Stevens, OTR/L Kids Place Pediatric Occupational Therapist Your pediatrician has referred your child to occupational therapy and you’re thinking to yourself – “my child doesn’t have a career, what in the world is his occupation?” Not to worry, we won’t be building your two-year old’s resume just…
Four Valentine’s Day Activities that OT’s LOVE by Amalia Garcia, OTR/L Pediatric Occupational Therapist We are always looking for fun ways to enhance our activities for the kiddos while still working on important developmental skills. We love to use holidays as inspiration and Valentine’s Day is here! Try these Valentine’s Day themed activities with your…
The Importance of Addressing Bilateral Coordination Skills at Home by Marisa Fiorentino, OTR/L Kids Place North Pediatric Occupational Therapist Bilateral coordination skills are essential for successful participation in school activities, self-care tasks, participation in play activities, and so much more! Upper extremity bilateral coordination is being able to use both your left and right arms/hands…
How is Heavy Work Beneficial for My Child? by Marisa Fiorentino, OTR/L Kids Place North Pediatric Occupational Therapist Are your kiddos constantly running, crashing, and jumping around the house? Do they have difficulty sitting still and sustaining attention to activities at school or home? Does their constant need for movement prevent them from partaking in…
Five Toys to Develop Visual Motor and Fine Motor Skills by Kristen Henderson, M.S., OTR/L Kids Place West Pediatric Occupational Therapist Slot Toy Slot toys help to improve wrist dexterity, precision with visual motor tasks, object manipulation skills, and problem solving. These toys also address object permanence, or the ability to know that an object…
Haircuts are sometimes KNOT fun! Many people associate going to the salon or barber with a fresh start, a time to wind down, or to be pampered. It can be a relaxing experience for most individuals; however it can also be a scary and uncomfortable place for children with sensory processing difficulties. What is sensory…
6 Important Reasons We Play Games Together at Kids Place Pediatric Therapy Parents often ask us why we will place two children together during a therapy session to play a game. This is a great question that has an even better answer! When two children are playing together, we are able to build several social…
Why Is Play Important for Child Development? We often hear parents ask, “What can I do with my child to help him or her grow and develop?” Now, if someone came to you and said, “Just play with your child” would you believe them? What Is Play? According to the American Occupational Therapy Association (2008),…
