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Occupational Therapy
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Occupational therapists
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For families

What can you expect from an occupational therapist?

The occupational therapist will begin by assessing your child. The therapist will use standardized tests, purposeful play and other planned activities to examine your child's practical ability to do the tasks that enable him or her to learn like other children of the same age. For example:
  • A baby needs to explore the world by moving his limbs and using his senses to touch, see, hear, taste and smell.
  • A toddler needs to practice skills, such as eye-hand co-ordination, control of muscles, and attention that she will use in a variety of learning situations.
  • A school-age child must be able to participate in as many activities as possible, both in and out of the classroom.
If for any reason children are unable to do these things, growth and development will lag.

Once the assessment is complete, the therapist will offer treatment services or suggestions for assisting your child, such as:
  • teaching you activities to encourage your child's development and independence
  • identifying equipment such as wheelchairs, special seating, writing tools, or standing tables that make tasks easier
  • recommending purchasing and customizing equipment to your child's specific requirements
  • making splints to help overcome various orthopedic and neurological problems
  • offering your child an opportunity to participate in groups designed to encourage appropriate social interaction and self expression
  • contacting professionals, treatment centres, schools and agencies in your community that can provide ongoing care after the hospital
  • advising you and others who will be working with your child, such as teachers, about appropriate activities and expectations
You can find more information about occupational therapy from several sources:

Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists – C.A.O.T.www.caot.ca. You can access “OT Finder” through the consumer information on the site.

The Canadian Occupational Therapy Resource site offers Quick Tips.
  • Tips for children about the skills for living include topics such as: Gift ideas for children with disabilities, Pre-writing skills for children under five, Backpacks: Beasts of Burden, School Agendas: Enabling Children to Manage their Time, All Children Love to Play, Strategies for Children with Learning Disabilities.
  • Tips for handling stress such as Coping with Loss, Putting Balance Into Your Life, Take a Moment Strategies for Canadians – The 4 p’s, Energy for Everyday Living.
At http://www.otworks.ca/ you can find out information by going to Ask an OT. For example, Ask An OT about Brain Injury.

Other links to occupational therapy information include the BC Society of Occupational Therapists website.

Bablefish is a free translation web site.