How Occupational Therapy Can Help Your Child Thrive

Who Can Benefit from OT?

Occupational therapy is helpful for a wide range of children, including those who:

✦ Developmental Delays

If your child isn’t meeting expected milestones—like crawling, walking, talking, or self-feeding—OT can help bridge the gap and support growth in those key areas.

✦ Sensory Processing

Some children are overly sensitive to noise, textures, lights, or movement. Others may seem to not notice things around them at all. OT helps children better understand and respond to the world through sensory integration strategies.

✦ Fine or Gross Motor Skills

Whether it’s difficulty holding a pencil, using utensils, zipping a jacket, or balancing while walking—OT can help your child build coordination and strength through tailored, play-based exercises.

✦ Emotions and Social Interactions 

OT also supports children in developing emotional regulation and social skills—helping them manage frustration, follow routines, and connect more easily with others.

✦ Have Diagnoses Like Autism, ADHD, Down Syndrome or Cerebral Palsy

Children with medical or developmental diagnoses often benefit from individualized OT services to enhance their quality of life and help them participate more fully in daily activities, whether it is family engagement, play or school.

Could My Child Benefit from OT?

If you’ve noticed that everyday tasks feel harder for your child than they should, you’re not alone—and you don’t have to navigate it alone.  An occupational therapist can assess your child’s needs and help them grow in independence and confidence.  Often times, there are unmet sensory or motor planning needs that can lead to undesirable behaviors.  OT addresses these unmet needs, getting to the root of the issue.

Early support can make a big difference. Contact us today to learn more or to schedule an evaluation.

For more information on occupational therapy, please visit: What is occupational therapy? | AOTA