Pediatric Occupational Therapy
Fine motor skills
Example:
Samuel, a 6-year-old boy passionate about dinosaurs, has difficulty holding a pencil and cutting with scissors. At school, he becomes tired and struggles to keep up with other students during writing activities. In occupational therapy, dinosaur-themed activities, such as tracing and cutting silhouettes, are introduced to strengthen his grip and improve dexterity. Adaptive tools, such as ergonomic pencils, are also used to support his learning in a playful and effective way.
Gross motor skills
Gross motor skills involve body movements that engage large muscles, such as running, jumping, playing ball, or biking. These abilities are important for the child’s physical development and independence in play and daily activities.
Example:
Léa, a 7-year-old girl who enjoys playing soccer, has difficulty coordinating her movements to run and kick the ball. She lacks balance when pedaling her bike and avoids some activities at school because they feel too difficult. In occupational therapy, soccer-themed games are used to work on coordination and balance, such as dribbling a ball while navigating through varied courses. The goal is to help her build confidence and skills so she can thrive in physical activities.
Feeding
Feeding is a crucial aspect of a child’s development, involving their food preferences, ability to eat independently, and tolerance of different textures. Difficulties in this area can affect the child's growth and overall health.
Example:
Maxime, a 5-year-old boy, is very sensitive to food textures. He refuses to eat vegetables and prefers only soft foods, which is affecting his growth curve. His parents are concerned about his diet. In occupational therapy, playful activities are incorporated to explore different textures, such as making smoothies or playing with food-themed games. These interventions are introduced gradually, at Maxime’s and his parents' pace, to respect his preferences while encouraging him to try new foods. The goal for Maxime is to develop a more varied and balanced diet. Other children may have different goals, such as tolerating foods in the same room or sitting at the table with the family for 5 minutes.
Sensory processing issues
Sensory processing issues can affect how a child interacts with their environment. Some children may be overreactive or under-reactive to certain stimuli, impacting their behaviour, focus, and participation in daily activities.
Example:
Lucas, a 7-year-old boy, is hypersensitive to touch and has difficulty tolerating his clothing. He often complains about the texture of his clothes, leading to episodes of anxiety when it’s time to dress. His parents are concerned about his discomfort and avoidance of social activities. In occupational therapy, activities are designed to help Lucas adapt to different fabric textures, such as exploring various materials and participating in dress-up games. The goal for Lucas is to learn to tolerate different types of clothing and dress independently. Other children may have different goals, such as learning to manage their response to loud noises or exploring different tastes without discomfort.
Autonomy
Autonomy is essential for a child’s development. It includes skills such as dressing, brushing teeth, toileting, and sleep. Children who face difficulties in these areas may benefit from tailored occupational therapy interventions.
Example:
Chloé, a 5-year-old girl, struggles to dress herself. She needs help putting on clothes and cannot button her shirt. Chloé loves role-playing and playing with dolls, which can be used as a learning tool. In occupational therapy, strategies are implemented to encourage Chloé to practice dressing in a playful way, using her dolls to simulate dressing activities. The goal for Chloé is to learn to dress independently, starting with simple clothes and progressing to more complex garments. Each child has their own specific needs, requiring personalized approaches to promote their autonomy in various activities, such as brushing teeth or managing sleep, including falling asleep.
Preschool skills
Preschool skills are essential for the child’s overall development. These include activities like colouring, crafting, and various manipulation tasks that promote fine motor skills and creativity. These skills prepare the child for school and daily activities.
Example:
Ludovic, a 4-year-old boy, loves drawing but often becomes frustrated when trying to create shapes and figures. To help him, the therapist uses playful activities that incorporate his interest, such as making trucks out of modeling clay, where Maxime learns to make coils and balls to represent wheels and the body of the truck. They also practice embroidery and bead threading to strengthen his coordination and dexterity. The goal is to encourage Maxime to handle objects independently while developing his skills. Each child progresses at their own pace, and activities are adapted to foster engagement and development of preschool skills.
Emotional Regulation
Emotional regulation helps children understand and express their feelings while developing strategies to cope with difficult situations. Children may struggle with emotional regulation, which can manifest as anxiety, anger, or intense reactions.
Example:
Émilie, a 5-year-old girl, has difficulty managing her anger when she can’t complete a task. She loves playing store, which allows her to focus on playful situations. To help, the therapist uses role-playing activities where Émilie can express her emotions through her dolls. For example, when her doll is frustrated, Émilie learns to verbalize her feelings and find solutions, like taking deep breaths or asking for help.
The interventions aim to strengthen Émilie’s ability to identify and express her emotions appropriately, focusing on simple strategies she can apply in daily life, such as when she feels frustrated during play.
Motor development (0-36 months)
Motor development in children from 0 to 36 months is crucial for their independence and interaction with the world around them. This development includes both gross motor skills, involving whole-body movements, and fine motor skills, which involve more precise hand and finger movements.
Example:
Jenny, a 9-month-old girl, still cannot sit up or walk. To help her develop motor skills, the therapist provides playful activities. For example, using colourful and sound-making toys, Émilie is encouraged to reach for, push, and pull these objects.
These games stimulate her movements and strengthen her muscles. By playing with lightweight objects, Émilie begins to develop her ability to sit with support on her hands and roll over. These activities are essential for promoting her motor development while providing a safe and enjoyable environment.
Areas of expertise:
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