What is Occupational Therapy?
The main goal of OT is to increase quality of life so that the client can continue to participate in their personal interests as well as take care of their own needs. Through therapeutic use of self, a strong relationship of trust is built between client and therapist that will help the client to grow in skills leading to increased independence. Occupational therapists improve, rehabilitate, or maintain individuals’ performance to complete everyday occupations (IADLs & ADLs).
What is the role of an Occupational Therapist?
As an occupational therapy assistant, working in the pediatric setting, it is my responsibility to implement activities and tasks that will improve my clients ability to perform at an age-appropriate level. In this setting, you will commonly see OTs working on improving age-appropriate grasp and legibility with handwriting, sensory processing, oral motor skills for feeding, core strengthening for postural control, hand strengthening to increase fine motor skills, visual motor/perceptual skills for copying shapes and or letters.
What are IADLs?
IADL’s stands for Instrumental Activities of Daily Living that involve your home and community. Below is a list of different IADLs an individual may complete regularly.
- Care of others
- Care of pets
- Communication management
- Driving and community mobility
- Financial management
- Health management and maintenance
- Housekeeping
- Food preparation
- Religious and spiritual activities
- Shopping
What are ADLs?
ADL’s stands for Activities of Daily Living and are basic self-are tasks an individual engages in daily.
- Bathing
- Grooming
- Toileting
- Dressing
- Feeding
- Transfers
- Abulation
How Can OT Benefit Children?
Occupational therapy can benefit children of all ages with a variety of needs and diagnoses including:
- Autism Spectrum Disorders
- Asperger’s Syndrome, Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD)
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADD & ADHD)
- Sensory Processing Disorder
- Learning Disability
- Developmental Delay
- Downs Syndrome
- Cerebral Palsy
- Feeding Disorders
- Neuromuscular Disorders
- Behavioral and Emotional Disorders
- Orthopedic Impairments
At CTC, our occupational therapist provides screenings, assessments, consultations, and treatment for those concerned about:
- Cognitive skills
- Gross & fine motor skills
- Self-care tasks
- Self-feeding tasks
- Sensory processing
- Visual processing & perception
- Social skills
How can Carolina Therapy Connection help?
Our occupational therapists will complete an initial evaluation to become familiar with your child’s strengths, weaknesses and daily routine. Following the evaluation, they will create an individualized treatment plan and goals to address any concerns with development. We take pride in making therapy enjoyable and fun for your child, so that they can be motivated to live their life to their greatest potential.
We use evidence-based treatment approaches including:
- Sensory Integration
- Interactive Metronome ®
- Therapeutic Listening®
- Handwriting Without Tears®
- SOS Feeding Therapy ®
- Beckman Oral Motor Approach®
- School-Related Skills
- Gross and Fine Motor Development
- Early Intervention Services
- Feeding and Oral Motor Development
- Balance and Coordination Skills
- Age-Appropriate Daily Living Skills/ Self-Help Skills
- Handwriting Skills
- Adaptive Equipment Purchasing and Modification
- Articulation and Language Development
- Augmentative Communication
If you have questions regarding your child’s development or want to learn more about occupational therapy, call our clinic today at 252-341-9944 or visit our referrals page HERE. We provide services in Greenville, Goldsboro and New Bern, North Carolina. One of our licensed and board certified therapists will be happy to provide you with a FREE developmental screening today! We can’t wait to begin this journey with your family!
Blog Written By: Lacey Smith, COTA/L
