Occupational therapy is a type of therapy that promotes active participation in activities, called occupations, that are meaningful and important to each person. Occupations are the everyday activities that support our health, well-being, and development.

For children, occupations may include playing, learning, eating, moving, and building relationships.

Pediatric occupational therapy is a proactive profession. Support does not need to wait until there is a suspected delay. Wherever a child is in their developmental journey, OT can help them move smoothly through each stage.

If you think of your pediatrician as a partner in your child’s health, you can think of your OT as a partner in your child’s development. Pediatricians often answer the question of when something should happen, such as when to introduce solid foods. Occupational therapists focus on how to make it happen, such as how to help your child eat solids, what position they should sit in, what type of spoon to use, what textures to introduce, and how to make the experience successful and enjoyable.

Pediatric OTs also have specialized expertise in sensory processing, helping children understand and respond to the world around them in ways that support learning, play, and daily routines.