Role of an Occupational Therapist(OT)

Evidence  

https://academic.oup.com/ptj/article/94/9/1211/2735587 

Courtney G.E. Hilderman, Susan R. Harris 

Early intervention for infants at risk for neurodevelopmental delay due to prematurity, extends across many disciplines and differs according to an infant's needs, services available and family considerations. Programs implemented after hospital discharge focus not only on the infant's overall development, but also on building the relationship between parents and their new baby, within the context of their natural environment such as the home and community. Ideally, all therapists (e.g. Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists and Speech Pathologists) work collaboratively together as a team, to support the child and family using a holistic approach and consider all aspects the child’s and families functioning.  

Education 

If your child was born prematurely or sick and you have concerns about their development, an Occupational Therapy assessment may help to identify delays and provide strategies and support to build your child’s independence in any of the following functional areas: 

• Participating in age-appropriate play and leisure within the home, school, daycare and community 

• Fine motor skills such as reaching, grasping, holding and manipulating objects (e.g. pencils, scissors, cutlery and buttons) 

• Gross motor skills, physical development and coordination required for tasks such as rolling, sitting, standing, walking, skipping and riding a bike 

• Self-care skills and activities of daily living including dressing, toileting, bathing and grooming 

• Social participation including making friends, greetings, turn taking, sharing, asking for help and participating in games with others  

• Building emotional regulation skills to help your child recognise emotions, build self-esteem and maximise their participation in all daily routines  

• Visual and sensory processing to determine the unique way your child interprets and processes sensory information from the environment and how this impacts their participation and attention. 

• Cognitive development such as planning, problem solving, memory, thinking, numeracy, reading and writing and organisation. 

• Sleep

Following their assessment, an Occupational Therapist may prescribe specialised equipment (such as mealtime and bathing equipment, hand splints, car seats) and make environmental modifications (such as safety rails, steps and ramps) to maximise a child’s safety, participation and access across different environments.   

OT’s often use a fun play-based approach and will work closely together with you, the parents and caregivers to upskill and provide coaching, to enable therapy strategies to be part of your child’s everyday life and natural routines, which maximises your child’s learning. For example, they may work with your child and family to practice toileting by accessing and using your child’s own toilet at home, school or daycare.  

Empowerment  

When should my child see an occupational therapist?  

An OT can be recommended if a child has a delay in achieving developmental milestones or is having difficulty participating for any other reason. OT’s can provide support in a wide variety of developmental areas including play, social participation, motor development, independence in self-care and activities of daily living, sensory regulation and more. 

If you have any concerns about your child’s development, you should consult your GP or Paediatrician. Your child may then be referred to a specialist paediatric occupational therapist who can assess them.  

Useful Links 

Occupational Therapy Australia 

https://www.otaus.com.au/find-an-ot 

Occupational Therapy Guide to Good Practice: Working with Children 

Raising Children Network 

https://raisingchildren.net.au/guides/a-z-health-reference/occupational-therapist 

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