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Occupational Therapy
Occupational therapy focuses on helping children develop the abilities necessary for the many “occupations” of childhood such as play, self care, learning, school performance, community skills, and socializing. Pediatric OT includes intervention aimed at developing the underlying sensory and motor foundation necessary for skill development, the development of compensatory strategies, and environmental adaptations needed for successful participation in daily life activities.
Occupational therapy provides evaluation and intervention in the following areas:
- Feeding and swallowing disorders including sensory based feeding issues (see below for more info)
- Sensory processing disorders
- Attention span and self regulation abilities
- Fine motor skills
- Handwriting
- Motor Coordination
- Motor Planning/Praxis
- Play and social skills
- Self care
- Strength and endurance
- Visual motor and visual perceptual skills
Behavior-Sensory Pediatric Food Program
Among feeding therapists, occupational therapists have a special focus on feeding as a life occupation. We are in a position to encourage the development of socially appropriate eating skills, to address social and cultural issues related to feeding and eating, and to help a client's family create an enjoyable context for eating.
The Behavior-Sensory Pediatric Food Program is a functional food program for children with food selectivities (organic and non-organic). It is an eclectic approach utilizing the evidence-based practice of ABA as its format, a sensory-behavioral protocol infused with fun food games and supported with individual mealtime stories. It can be implemented to address individual feeding difficulties or in small food groups.
Those who benefit from food therapy include children with:
- Food refusal
- Choking
- Sensory problems
- Lack of appetite
- Swallowing and chewing difficulties
- Picky eaters
- Fear/anxiety related to eating
- Trouble accepting and swallowing different food textures
- Limited food repertoire
