Occupational Therapy (OT) Evaluation and Treatment

Also known as: OT.

What is occupational therapy?

Occupational therapy is a form of therapy that helps people rehabilitate through exercises and other means in order to perform their ordinary, daily tasks or work-related functions. Occupational therapy is often needed after a severe injury or a debilitating illness.

Occupational therapy is a holistic and meaningful profession that promotes performance, health, and well-being for engagement in various occupations across the lifespan. At Nicklaus Children’s Hospital Occupational therapists assist in helping children from birth to adolescence with a variety of diagnosis, meet their developmental milestones through the occupation of play.

Occupational therapists work together with families using a multidisciplinary team approach and evidence based practice in the care of the children.

What happens during the treatment?

A licensed occupational therapist will meet with the individual and determine the treatment that is needed in order for them to accomplish their goals. The specific nature of occupational therapy can vary widely. Some patients will require a series of exercises in order to improve mobility or enhance function. Others may require home modifications or assistive devices in order to regain their abilities.

Occupational therapists evaluate, assess and plan for intervention in order to develop, recover, or maintain the meaningful activities of our patients. When working with children from birth, our focus is to help the infant on reaching their developmental milestones and improve motor function. During school age, therapy is focused on helping the child to become as independent as possible.

Therapy is conducted through play providing age appropriate toys and developing the skills to interact socially. Occupational therapist will also work with the child to improve fine motor skills necessary for handwriting as well as self-care skills to help them with dressing.

Occupational therapists utilizes sensory integration approach to provide the children with opportunities to increase their awareness in order to understand the world better.

Is any special preparation needed?

No special preparation is needed for this treatment.

What are the risk factors?

There are no risk factors related to this treatment.


Reviewed by: Antonette Fernandez

This page was last updated on: May 13, 2022 09:40 AM

Pediatric Rehabilitation Services

The Rehabilitation Services at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital serve the therapeutic needs of infants, children and adolescents.

Learn More

Related Videos

Dressing Skills for Children (Occupational Therapy)

Ivonne Arias-Doppelhammer, an Occupational Therapist at Nicklaus Children Hospital's Rehabilitation Department, explains how to teach dressing skills to a child, so you can do it at home as recommended in your child's treatment plan.
Each child develops differently at his/her own rate. This video will serve as a guide. If you have questions or concerns, please contact your child’s occupational therapist.