Occupational Therapy For Children - What All Should You Know

The human brain develops astonishingly during the first three years of life. Compared to the rest of the life, the initial three years are crucial to acquire a majority of social and cognitive skills. The brain evolves during this phase immensely. However, the development milestones are not crossed by all the kids in the same manner. In a few kids, the advancement is delayed, and the progress does not happen as desired. For optimal development, such children need additional support. This is where occupational therapy comes into the picture. Yes, this therapy is not related to adults alone and can do wonders for kids. This therapy helps such children to overcome the barriers and lead a normal life gradually.

1. Trains to do the daily chores: Occupational therapy for kids can be used for a wide range of diseases and disorders. The major benefit the children can enjoy from occupational therapy is the ability to do the daily chores without depending on the adults. Self-help skills are improved in children. Any child who undergoes this therapy can soon start writing and drawing with ease.
2. Dealing with a specific condition: A few kids are oversensitive, and a few are less sensitive. The organs related to the five senses send the details to the brain, and the brain interprets the signals to respond. This interpretation does not happen properly in such kids. As a result, they are not able to pay attention at school or home. This difficulty in paying attention often distracts them. This can be serious than you think. It is not only their studies that get affected but also the fact that they would not react to the fire alarm, and cannot mingle with the children of same age group. Occupational therapy helps them to stay focused. Regain of skills is possible with this therapy. Cerebral palsy is another area where the intervention of occupational therapy is essential. This is a scenario where the disorder restricts the child to a wheelchair. Moving the wheelchair, taking lunch, opening or closing closets, and other simple daily chores are taught to the kids by an occupational therapist. Management of muscular dystrophy and other disorders that restrict movement and affects the lifestyle of children may also need a therapist for training purposes.
3. A package of methods and plans: Kids who suffer from autism and Sensory Processing Disorder have limited skills in playing and observing. The occupational therapist observes the pattern and finds where the skills need to be honed. The practitioner comes up with specific methods to train the children. It has to be understood that there is no single program and a practitioner really considers a lot of things and put together a variety of methods. The set of activities devised help with interaction, awareness, and coordination skills in these kids.

When you take the kids to an occupational therapist, he or she observes the kid. The apt plan or method to improve the skills or to train the kid to do a specific set of daily chores is devised based on the kid's condition. The age group of the kid, too, plays a vital role in designing the therapy. The therapy can be conducted in a hospital, school, home, or a specialized care center.