Occupational therapy is intended to help a child develop necessary life skills.
One of the best ways for young children and adolescents with special needs to develop the life skills they need is through occupational therapy. At Connections Therapy Centers, our occupational therapists work one-on-one with every child to address their specific needs. The aim is to set every child up for success as they grow older. Here is what you need about occupational therapy and why it is beneficial for children with disabilities.
What Is It?
Occupational therapy uses recreational activities to assist adolescent and children in learning necessary life skills. This includes a wide range of functions such as bathing, feeding, and dressing. This is achieved through the development of neuromotor, sensory and fine motor skills. Our therapists at Connections Therapy Centers have training in several occupational therapy programs, such as feeding, handwriting and kinesiotaping methods.
What To Expect In A Typical Occupational Therapy Session?
Our occupational therapists will use a wide variety of games and exercises throughout the course of a typical session. For example, they may have a child work on their fine motor skills by writing or coloring. They will also coach the child through other life skills such as feeding and dressing themselves. It is important to point out that many of the activities are fun and educational! Whether it is coaching the child how to throw a baseball or having them write in a journal, the therapist’s aim is to stimulate the part of the child brain that is responsible for learning.
What is Sensory Integration?
In addition to taste, touch, smell, sight, and hearing, there are two other senses occupational therapists can assist children and adolescents develop life skills. They are vestibular (the pull of gravity) and proprioception (body awareness and movement). Occupational therapy can help a child develop their sensory integration because all of these senses supply their brains with information about their internal and external environment. It will help them learn about themselves, understand where they are, and what is happening around them.
The Connections Therapy Center
The Connections Therapy Center serves families of children and adolescents with disabilities and special needs. We are a team of experts in the fields of pediatric speech, occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, and behavioral sciences. As a team, we offer intensive hands-on therapy for children and adolescents, as well as informative and useful resources for families. If you are interested in learning more about what we can do to help your family, visit us online or give us a call at (202) 561-1110 (Washington, D.C. office) or (301) 577-4333 (Lanham office). Want to get more information on how to help your child thrive? Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Google+, and Pinterest.