What is Occupational Therapy?

Occupational Therapy is the science of using “occupation”, meaning activities with specific goals, in helping children achieve their highest level of independence. Occupational therapy is a major health service provided to help children whose lives are affected by birth injury, developmental delay, accident, illness, social or emotional problems. Maximizing independence is the chief aim of occupational therapy.

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What is an Occupational Therapist?

The occupational therapist, working cooperatively with other members of the health team, uses purposeful activity in a variety of settings to reduce physical and psychosocial disability.

The occupational therapist is a trained health care professional who can make a complete evaluation of the impact of disabilities on the activities of the child at home, school and in community settings.

Some occupational therapists specialize in a specific area, such as pediatrics. The occupational therapist who provides the treatment is a graduate of a college program accredited by the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) and the American Medical Association (AMA). Occupational therapists who pass a certification test qualify to use the initials OTR after their name. State registration is required by the state of Michigan to maintain the quality of care given by occupational therapists in the state.

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Who needs occupational therapy?

Occupational therapy is often necessary for children who have suffered an injury before birth, at birth or after birth. Children who demonstrate developmental delays or other symptoms that interfere with their ability to learn grow and develop normally also benefit from occupational therapy. Occupational therapy may be used to manage pain, cope with a disability, gain performance skills, and promote sensory processing abilities. Occupational therapy treatment, planned specifically for a child and their situation, offers opportunities for:

Improving muscle strength, tone and joint range of motion through use of activities


Learning or relearning daily living skills such as dressing , eating and bathing


Developing fine/gross motor skills


Developing play skills and pre-vocation and leisure interests


Using artificial limbs and adaptive devices


Modifying the environment, including home and community settings


Applying emerging technologies that contribute to independent living

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How would an OT setup a program for my child?

In planning a child’s program, the occupational therapist evaluates the child’s needs, abilities and interests using interviews, assessments and medical records.

An OTR draws on their knowledge of purposeful activities to select and apply those most likely to meet goals. Treatment may cover one or more areas, ranging from muscle strengthening and self-care to social-emotional adjustment, fabrication and use of adaptive equipment and splints.

Therapy goals change as treatment progresses and programs are reevaluated. The occupation therapist consults and works very closely with the child’s physician, other health care practitioners, the child and the child’s family in setting treatment objectives that are realistic and consistent with the child’s needs.

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Who Benefits From Occupational Therapy?

A wide variety of children can benefit from occupational therapy including those with:

Developmental delays


Abnormal muscle strength or muscle tone


Limited joint range of motion


Visual deficits


Difficulty with gross and fine motor skills


Poor sensory processing abilities which are often mistaken for attentional and/or emotional problems


Learning difficulties

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How OT Works?

Every day, countless children experience problems that significantly affect their ability to manage their daily lives. With the help of occupation therapy, many of these children can achieve or regain a high level of independence. From the infant with a birth defect or injury to the child with sensory processing issues, occupational therapy helps children make the most of their abilities. When skill and strength cannot be developed or improved, occupational therapy offers creative solutions and resources for carrying out the child’s daily activities using strategies and equipment designed just for them.

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