Perhaps your baby’s daycare provider or a friend tells you that your child may need OT.  You ask, “OT?” They reply, “occupational therapy.” You wonder, “What is occupational therapy?” Or, perhaps you intuitively know your child is having difficulty, and from asking around (pediatrician, friends, and family), you discover that OT may help your child.
You wonder, “What is occupational therapy?” Or, perhaps you intuitively know your child is having difficulty, and from asking around (pediatrician, friends, and family), you discover that OT may help your child.
Or, perhaps this article is the first time you’ve heard about OT. In the article, you’ll find out:
- What is occupational therapy?
- How to start the process so that your child can receive help from occupational therapy?
- What to expect from an OT appointment/session?
This article will, hopefully, answer the questions you and other families have.
 In this Article Series:
- How to find an Occupational Therapist
- Find out what to expect in your appointments with an Occupational Therapist
In this article I will describe what is occupational therapy; I will list the steps a family takes to find an occupational therapist (referred to as “an OT”); and I will offer a therapist’s perspective on what it is like to work with an occupational therapist (“therapist” will be used in this article) and what to expect during the sessions.
What is Occupational Therapy?
Even with OT’s increasing popularity in pediatrics, I am still asked how does a therapist who specializes in “occupations” or “jobs” work with children.  Folks jokingly ask, with a hint of sarcasm, “You find jobs for children?”
 No, I don’t find jobs for children; instead, I help children improve their skills and independence in the occupations (jobs) they already have.  Children’s occupations usually
Children’s occupations usually includes:
- Play
- Self-care
- Socializing
- Academics, etc.
An example of how OT helps a child is when a child shows signs of picky eating. A Therapist will work with the child, and the child’s family, to help that child overcome picky eating. For a more detailed description of what occupational therapy.
How to Know When You Need An Occupational Therapist
Picky Eating Advice From an Occupational Therapist [Part 1]
Picky Eating Advice From an Occupational Therapist [Part 2]
Picky Eating Advice From an Occupational Therapist [Part 3]
In this article series:
- How to find an Occupational Therapist
- Find out what to expect in your appointments with an Occupational Therapist