OT for Children

 

OT for children? OT for children!

Sometimes people are surprised to hear that occupational therapy is not just for adults; kids, after all, do not have occupations in the everyday sense of the word!

The way we see it, a child’s main occupation is play, and play is the basis for learning, developing movement skills, and relating with others. 

Children learn best when they’re having fun! This tenet of learning theory is something we feel intuitively, but it is also supported by extensive research. A brain/body that is both at ease and alert is better able to take in, organize, and respond to new information on an ongoing basis.

Play, movement, and co-regulation are the driving force of the therapeutic process at Dynamic Balance. Through the process of creating a series of “just right challenges”  that are meaningful to a child in the context of play, an OT can help a child to find their way to being more organized (self-regulated and coordinated) and more able to meet the everyday challenges of life.

For children going through difficult transitions, play-based therapy is a powerful way to work with emotions and to create stories that foster resilience and nurture growth.

Individualized therapy for your individual child

We serve children and youth who are having difficulties at home or at school. This includes typically developing children as well as children who have learning disabilities, Autistic Spectrum Disorder, ADD/ADHD, Cerebral Palsy, genetic disorders, or any other physical or psychological conditions that impact function.

The first step is a conversation. This usually takes place at the centre, without your child present. We will discuss your child’s strengths and areas of challenge and work together to create a plan that best serves your family.

The ultimate goal? Harmony at home, success at school, and connection to friends and the community.

What about assessment? Play sessions include ongoing assessment along with therapeutic intervention. Clinical observation is an important part of an assessment of play, developmental movement, relational, and functional skills. Other assessment tools that might be used in combination with clinical observation (depending upon the age and needs of the child) incude the Child Sensory Profile, Beery-Buktenica Develpomental Test of Visual-Motor Integration, Beery Developmental Test of Motor Coordination, Beery Test of Visual Perception, Motor-Free Visual Perception Test, Greenspan Social-Emotional Growth Chart, Toddler Sensory Profile, Autism Spectrum Rating Scales, Kohlman Evaluation of Living Skills, Adolescent and Adult Sensory Profile, and Canadian Occupational Performance Measure. Written reports are optional.