Occupational therapy is a service that helps people achieve
independence in their daily life activities or “occupations”. In
the pediatric setting, therapists use their expertise to help
children prepare for and perform important learning and
developmental activities. This typically includes muscle
strengthening and range of motion of the hands and body, work on
bilateral coordination (using two hands together), motor
planning, visual perception skills, and visual motor skills. It
also includes direct practice of the task, often with
adaptations or modifications of the fine motor and self care
tasks (cutting, writing, tying shoes) that are difficult for the
individual child. An occupational therapist is someone who
specializes in working with individuals who are experiencing a
condition that is limiting their ability to independently
complete the tasks of every day living. In pediatrics,
occupational therapists use their expertise to help children
gain the functional skills they need for independence in play,