What does a pediatric occupational therapist do since a child does not have a job?
An individual’s occupations change over time. An infant’s main endeavor is to develop the ability to regulate their bodies and communicate when they are comfortable or uncomfortable. A pre-schooler works on the tasks of exploring, playing and learning age appropriate motor skills, activities of daily living, and social behaviors. Once in school, the child develops greater refinements in skill for academic learning and pre-vocational development, including tool use, planning and organizational skills, problem solving, and independent task follow through. A pediatric occupational therapist will address the foundations and specific skills the individual needs at each stage of development to ensure greater success in the skills of daily living.
