We all have busy lives, and it can be easy to move through life, never considering the everyday activities we take for granted. We brush our teeth in the morning and grab our keys as we run out the door without thinking about the physicality and fine motor skills required.
This is unless you are the parent of a child who struggles to complete everyday tasks independently. We all want our children to go out into the world and live their lives as freely as possible. Occupational therapy is a tool that helps children develop life skills for independent living. Does this mean every child working with an occupational therapist will live on their own? Not necessarily, but the hope is that they and their caregivers will gain independence as they develop skills and confidence.
What Skills Does An Occupational Therapist Help With?
Each patient’s needs vary, and your therapist is trained to evaluate your child and provide a care plan that considers their specific diagnosis and your goals. Here are some of the main categories an occupational therapist may address.
Daily Living Skills
Skills of daily life are the most foundational and essential skills addressed during this therapy. Giving your child the tools to bathe themselves, dress themselves, brush their teeth, and put together their own meals gives them autonomy and independence that can be life-changing.
Using Adaptive Equipment
Whether your child is in therapy due to a developmental condition or recovering from an injury, there can be a learning curve to using adaptive equipment, like shower seats or lifts to help transfer them in and out of bed. An occupational therapist can help your child and other family members learn how to effectively use those tools to create more independence in their lives.
Social And Emotional Development
What’s common nature to many people may not be obvious to some children. An occupational therapist can help children understand the unspoken social roles that exist in the world around them. By role-playing everyday tasks and activities, they learn what is expected of them in given scenarios and how to respond appropriately.
Occupational Therapy Benefits the Whole Family
This therapy is crucial for children who are learning to navigate life amid their developmental differences. However, this therapy is equally valuable to your child’s caregivers and family. We provide caregiving training as part of occupational therapy to ensure you have the tools to support your child’s needs. Our occupational therapists treat children with various conditions, including cerebral palsy, stroke, traumatic injury, ADHD, autism, genetic disorders, and more. Occupational therapists can help you develop new routines and imagine a future where you take your family on vacations and day trips. While those things may sound foreign today, occupational therapy can help you envision this new life.
Where Do We Start?
Every therapy relationship at AchieveAbility begins with an evaluation. This is where our therapists can gather a clear understanding of your child’s needs so that they can develop a therapy that will be most effective for them. With your evaluation in hand, you will work with your therapist to set goals and begin treatment. As your relationship progresses, we expect you will experience the joy and satisfaction of witnessing your child’s developmental growth.
We know how hard you work as a caregiver to your child. You want the best for them, and we want to help you achieve that. At AchieveAbility, we are committed to providing therapies that unite children and their families with the common goal of freedom and independence. When your child develops more autonomy, it gives them confidence and self-esteem, and there is nothing better than that! Contact our office when you’re ready to begin.
