Occupational Therapy

What is the Occupational Therapy?

Occupational therapy, or OT, helps children and youth learn and practice everyday skills they need at home, at school, and in the community.

Our therapists support skills for moving and using their hands, self-care activities like dressing and feeding, playing, and school tasks such as writing and cutting. The goal is to help kids participate and become more independent in their daily lives.

Child threading large red bead with wooden stick on white table with yellow string and beads.

How We Help

Our occupational therapists work with children, teens, and their families to build important everyday skills. Here’s how we help:

Motor skills: Improving hand coordination, balance, and movement for tasks like drawing, cutting, or playing.

Self-care skills: Supporting children in learning to dress, feed themselves, brush their teeth, and more—so they can be more independent.

Sensory processing: Helping kids who may be extra sensitive to sounds, lights, or touch.

Tools and equipment: Recommending special tools or changes at home or school to make tasks easier.

School skills: Supporting classroom activities like writing, or helping stay calm and focused in class.

Typical Occupational Therapy Goals

Helping your child use their hands better for tasks like writing, buttoning, or using scissors

Building balance and coordination for safe movement and play

Teaching skills to dress, feed, and take care of themselves more independently

Supporting your child in managing how they feel about things they see, hear, or touch (sensory processing)

Recommending tools or changes to make daily tasks easier at home or school

Helping your child get ready for school by improving handwriting, organizing, and focusing in class

Building confidence so your child can join in activities with friends and family

Hands of a child being washed under running water with adult helping at a kitchen sink

Resources

Explore helpful guides, tools, and recommendations to support your child’s development. Our occupational therapy resources provide practical strategies for building independence, improving motor skills, managing sensory challenges, and more.

Explore Resources