Occupational Therapy

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Occupational Therapy

The Pediatric Clinic offers occupational therapy services to children in the Southwest Georgia area, too!

What is Occupational Therapy?

The American Occupational Therapy Association defines OT as “the only profession that helps people across the lifespan to do the things they want and need to do through the therapeutic use of daily activities (occupations). Occupational therapy practitioners enable people of all ages to live life to its fullest by helping them promote health, and prevent—or live better with—injury, illness, or disability.” OT can benefit everyone, from helping children appropriately participate in school and social settings to helping seniors adapt to changes in physical and cognitive.

Pediatrics and occupational therapy

Occupational therapists work with children, youth, and their families, caregivers, and teachers to promote active participation in meaningful activities. For children and youth, occupations are activities that enable them to learn and develop life, be creative and thrive. Recommendations are based on typical development, the child’s environment and any disability, illness, or impairment on the child’s development, play, learning, and overall occupational performance.

Occupational therapists identify and meet the needs of children experiencing delays in development; teach skills and strategies to children, and their families to extend therapeutic intervention to regular activities; and adapt activities and materials so children feel comfortable in various settings and conditions.

Developmental Needs

In children, OT addresses developmental milestones such as sitting, crawling and walking; paying attention and following simple instructions; eating, drinking, washing and dressing; coping with disappointment or failure; sharing, taking turns, and playing with peers; using toys and materials in both traditional and creative ways; and participating in age-appropriate daily routines.

Injury Related Needs

When a child experiences a serious illness or injury, developmentally appropriate OT will emphasize physical skills to increase movement, strength, and/or coordination; and adaptive skills or equipment to address deficits in cognitive function, sensory processing, visual motor and perception, and the ability to form appropriate relationships.

Emotional–Behavioral Needs 

Occupational therapists are well suited to address children’s emotional and behavioral needs as they relate to everyday activities and social interactions. For example, occupational therapists help children develop the ability to cope with challenges, and to use calming strategies to deal with frustration, anger, and impulsivity to succeed at individual and collaborative tasks.

Our occupational therapy services include

  • Sensory Processing
  • Behavioral Health
  • Social Skills
  • Gross/Fine Motor Skills
  • Visual Motor Integration
  • Self-Regulation
  • Autism
  • ADD & ADHD
  • Upper Extremity Injuries
  • Developmental Delays

Our OT plan includes: 

  • An individual assessment to determine conditions, pain points, abilities, and patient goals.
  • Customized activities focused on the improvement of daily tasks and activities.
  • A final evaluation to determine if goals were met and to make changes to the plan or create another treatment plan if necessary.

OT and physical therapy go hand in hand to help patients regain mobility and flexibility, improve range of motion, and grow independence in their daily routine by participating in their regular activities.

If you're curious if your child might benefit from our occupational therapy services, give us a call or speak to your doctor! We accept all private insurance, and private pay.