What is Pediatric Occupational Therapy?

Pediatric occupational therapy (OT) helps children participate more fully in everyday activities. In OT, “occupations” are the meaningful activities that fill a child’s day, such as getting dressed, playing, learning, and connecting with others. Through individualized treatment, children work toward their goals and developmental milestones while addressing challenges in self-care, play, self-regulation, and learning.

Occupational therapists use purposeful play and everyday activities to help children develop skills for tasks such as using toys, handwriting, dressing, and taking turns with peers. They also support children in managing sensory experiences and emotions that affect daily participation. By partnering with families, therapists offer practical strategies and adapt activities or environments to support participation at home, at school, and in the community. Care is guided by each child’s strengths, interests, and needs, with a focus on the activities that matter most to the child and family.