Occupational therapists help individuals throughout the lifespan accomplish everyday tasks, or “occupations”, that are both meaningful and necessary in their lives. The primary occupations of childhood are play, learning, and self-care. In pediatrics, OTs focus on helping children gain independence and promote development through the use of play. Through play-based activities, OTs provide opportunities for children to improve their gross motor, fine motor, visual-motor, self-care, self-regulation, executive functioning, and social skills. While some kids are able to intuitively figure out how to play, others need to be shown and taught how to play. Through OT, children are able to learn how to navigate and participate in their home, school, and community environments. At PDC, we work on a variety of skills including:
