Occupational Therapy FAQs

Pediatric occupational therapy is a type of therapy that focuses on helping children develop the skills they need to participate in daily activities. This may include working on fine motor skills, sensory processing, self-care, and play skills.

If you have concerns about your child's ability to participate in daily activities, you should talk to your pediatrician, and/or call our office to speak to a licensed occupational therapist, who may refer you for further evaluation. Some signs that your child may need occupational therapy include difficulty with fine motor skills (small movements of arms/hands/fingers), sensory issues (i.e., constantly moving/on the go, difficulty with loud noises, extreme picky eating etc.), delays in self-care skills (i.e., self-feeding, dressing, grooming/hygiene), and/or difficulty with play.

Common conditions and diagnoses that Aloha Speech & Development Center’s pediatric occupational therapists may treat include (but are not limited to) developmental delays, sensory processing disorders, autism spectrum disorder, cerebral palsy, and Down syndrome.

The goals of pediatric occupational therapy are individualized to each child's specific areas of need and parent concerns, but may include: improving motor skills, sensory processing abilities, self-care skills, play skills and increasing overall independence with activities of daily living.

Occupational therapists at Aloha Speech & Development Center may use a variety of assessment tools to evaluate a child's abilities, including standardized tests, clinical observation, and parent/caregiver input.

During occupational therapy sessions, your child may engage in a variety of activities designed to improve their skills and functional independence such as fine motor activities, sensory integration activities, and self-care activities.

The length of time a child will need occupational therapy will depend on their individual needs and progress. Some children may only need a few months of therapy, while others may require therapy for several years.

Your child's occupational therapist may provide you with activities and exercises that you can do with your child at home to reinforce their skills. This may include practicing specific fine motor activities, sensory integration activities, and self-care tasks.

It is important to maintain open communication with your child's occupational therapist. You can ask questions, share concerns, and provide feedback about your child's progress during their sessions.

If your child is not showing progress in occupational therapy, their therapist may reassess their treatment plan and make adjustments as needed. In some cases, a referral to a specialist or additional testing may be necessary.