Occupational therapy helps people of all ages participate in the things they want and need to do throughout their day, also known as "occupations." For children, these occupations include playing, learning, and growing into independent individuals. When a child faces challenges in these areas, Occupational Therapists (OTs) can provide the support they need to build skills, confidence, and independence. The primary goal is to enable children to flourish in their key environments, such as at home, at school, and in the community.

A pediatric occupational therapist, or OT, evaluates a child's abilities for day-to-day tasks. They look at a child’s strengths and weaknesses in various areas, including fine and gross motor skills, sensory processing, visual-perceptual skills, and self-care routines. After working together with the family to identify areas of difficulty, the OT creates a customized intervention plan designed to help the child respond to challenges more effectively and engage more fully in the "job" of being a kid.

The support an OT can offer is practical and directly impacts a child's daily life. For instance, if a child struggles with handwriting, an OT might introduce activities to improve pencil grip. For a child who is easily overwhelmed by noise or touch, an OT can develop a "sensory diet" to help them manage sensory sensitivities and stay calm and focused. Other examples include helping a child learn to tie their shoelaces, toiletting, use utensils properly, or establish a morning routine. If you are seeking occupational therapy in the St. Albert and Edmonton area, our therapists are equipped to help your child navigate these and other developmental hurdles.

Ultimately, occupational therapy empowers children by giving them the tools to succeed. By addressing foundational challenges in a supportive and engaging way, OTs help children build the confidence they need to learn new things, make friends, and participate fully in family and school life.

If you have concerns about your child's development or feel they could benefit from building skills in key areas, exploring OT services at Ruby Speech Therapy can provide the guidance and targeted support your family needs to help your child thrive.