About Occupational Therapy

Occupational Therapy, OT, focuses on the physical, sensory and cognitive skills needed to engage in daily living activities or occupations. Occupations consist of many things for many people, not simply a JOB. When our occupations, or our roles, are impacted by physical, sensory or cognitive difficulties an occupational therapist can help to gain or regain function and skills needed to reach our maximum potential. We are all created with purpose, skilled occupational therapy can help with barriers that affect a person’s emotional, social, and physical ability to reach that purpose or potential. 

For children play, engagement with family, learning, and becoming independent with daily activities are essential occupations. Children can experience many things that impact their ability to access or participate in these primary occupations. Some of these may include: birth injuries/defects, sensory processing disorders or difficulties, developmental delays, autism, ADHD, motor coordination delays/difficulties, trauma (physical and/or emotional) and learning differences. These children, teens or adults may benefit from skilled occupational therapy. 

Skilled occupational therapy that is individualized to meet each person’s unique needs may include activities and skilled interventions to develop fine and gross motor skills, eye-hand coordination, regulate and integrate sensory input, positive behaviors and social skills needed to manage emotional responses, gain life skills such as getting dressed, brushing teeth, and self-feeding, as well as assist with specialized equipment needs. 

We are created to be in relationship and community. We have a unique purpose and specific attributes, strengths and areas of need, that help us reach our full potential. Children grow, learn and relate to others and the world around them through caregiver relationships, play, sensory and motor experiences. It is in these occupations, roles and activities, that a child discovers how their bodies function. Motor skills, gross and fine motor coordination; sensory regulation, integrating and responding to the world around us; and our relationships with objects and others all play a part in our daily lives. Occupational Therapist, OT, uses purposeful activities building on individual strengths and needs to develop the skills needed to do the things you want and need to do in your daily life. As and occupational therapist, I will use occupations, your unique skills, needs and roles, to promote health, wellness and assist you in reaching your individual goals.