Occupational Therapy (OT) and who can it help?

Occupational Therapy (OT) focuses on an individual's ability to participate in daily life activities or “occupations”. An Occupational Therapist works with individuals of all ages to enhance their participation in and performance of activities of daily living (i.e., feeding and dressing), education (i.e., handwriting and classroom routines), work, leisure activities, play (i.e., accessing play areas, utilizing fine motor skills and interacting with peers), and social participation.  

For children with development disorders such as Autism, OT can provide strategies to help facilitate a child's participation in daily routines (at home, school or in the community), help plan developmentally appropriate activities and identify needed assistive technology devices and supports.  

Our OT department is excited to offer the Handwriting Without Tears program. This program is designed for any child who is struggling (or just looking to improve)printing or writing skills at any level. In the kindergarten program, body awareness, proper grip of the writing utensil, shape recognition and number/letter formation is taught. For children learning printing and cursive writing, fine motor skills, posture and proper developmental sequences are taught. Prevention/correction of number/letter reversal is also addressed with the program. Hands-on manipulatives, music and multisensory activities, are just some of the tools used in HWT.   If you or someone you know struggles with performing a desired life activity due to a physical, cognitive, social-emotional, sensory, or communication challenge, our occupational therapists have expereince and training in working with people of all ages. Please contact us for further information or to schedule an evaluation to see how OT can determine what services, support and modifications or accomodations are needed to achieve your desired goals.