Occupational Therapy Practice in Pediatrics
More than one fourth of the nation’s occupational therapy professionals work in the area of pediatrics. This section of the course will help you appreciate the unique role of occupational therapy in work with children.
What is the role of Occupational Therapy in Pediatrics?
(video under contruction)
Click on the video icon to view an Occupational Therapist discussing her role in Pediatric Care.
Occupational therapists working with children strive to optimize a child’s occupational performance. Children span the age range of birth through adolescence. Just think what a variety of occupations you were engaged in during this period of time in your life. Consider how these occupations become increasingly complex during childhood and how they formed an important foundation for the roles you play as an adult today. The primary occupations of children are considered to be:
- Play
- Activities of Daily Living (feeding, toileting, dressing, grooming, mobility)
- Learning and school performance
- Vocation or performance in a workplace
A core value of pediatric occupational therapy is providing family-centered care and service. The needs, desires, and values of the child and family drive the direction of our assessments and intervention. The focus of occupational therapy intervention directly reflects the child’s and/or family’s priorities.
To further appreciate the role of occupational therapy in pediatrics let’s explore the:
- Assessment process and tools used to evaluation children’s capacity for occupational performance
- Types of service models for intervention
- Interventions an occupational therapist uses
- Practice settings
Center on Human Development and Disability,
Clinical Training Unit, University of Washington,
Box 357920, Seattle, WA 98195-7920 lend@u.washington.edu