At The Boston Ability Center, we see each child as a unique individual with specific gifts and strengths. Children who have autism, ADHD, a neuromuscular disorder, cerebral palsy, and several more can benefit from pediatric occupational therapy to improve their sense of balance, hand-eye coordination, fine motor skills, and social-emotional development. Read through the information below to learn more about what we offer and understand how our pediatric occupational therapists can work with your child to improve their daily living skills.

​

What Is Pediatric Occupational Therapy?

​

Occupational therapists who work with adults usually focus on helping their patients gain skills to function more adequately in their lives and at their jobs. Though children don't have occupations, their "jobs" are to play and figure out the world they live in. Occupational therapists focus on helping children play, learn, and interact with their peers at a higher level. Children with prior diagnoses and those without behavioral, developmental, or medical conditions can benefit from OT.

​

When your child is referred to an OT, he or she may have a diagnosis already established or maybe struggling to master a specific developmental skill. Children with autism frequently work with occupational therapists to address sensory and social challenges, while children with physical disabilities may work with an occupational therapist to refine motor skills. A child diagnosed with ADHD may visit an OT to work on handwriting. Pediatric occupational therapy is widely varied, and no two patients need exactly the same treatment!

​

Your child may work with a pediatric occupational therapist to gain fine motor skills related to a neuromuscular disorder, or the OT may help your child by devising a daily visual schedule to decrease meltdowns related to Autism Spectrum Disorder. Occupational therapy is a flexible and creative profession that uses research-backed, scientific methods as well as fun and play to assist children in gaining real-life skills that can be part of their family's daily routine.

​

Occupational Therapists Combine Science and Creativity To Help Children Reach Functional Goals Related To: 

​

• Fine and visual-motor skills, including handwriting
   

• Hand-eye coordination
   

• Postural control
   

• Bilateral coordination
   

• Praxis or motor planning
   

• Executive functioning
   

• Sensory integration
   

• Self-regulation
   

• Social-emotional development
   

• Independence with activities of daily living, such as sleeping, dressing, eating, and using the bathroom

• ​
   

Does My Child Need Occupational Therapy?

​

Suppose your child has a diagnosis of autism, a sensory processing disorder, or a neuromuscular disorder. In that case, he or she can certainly benefit from occupational therapy as the sensory, planning, and motor deficits that come with these diagnoses are often lifelong challenges. Learning concrete, tangible skills that can help them function better can significantly benefit kids with chronic or developmental disorders.

​

If you have concerns about your child's development or feel that your child is not functioning at his or her developmental level, scheduling an evaluation with the appropriate therapist is always appropriate — whether you have concerns that fall into the domain of occupational, physical, or speech therapy. You can check out the CDC milestones and find more information about common developmental concerns here.

​

Who Might Benefit From Occupational Therapy at Boston Ability Center? Children and Teens Who Have:

​

• ADHD/ADD
   

• Autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
   

• Behavioral and/or mental health challenges, such as anxiety, depression, oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), conduct disorder (CD)
   

• Cerebral palsy
   

• Developmental coordination disorder (DCD)
   

• Developmental delay(s)
   

• Down syndrome
   

• Dyslexia or dysgraphia
   

• Dyspraxia
   

• Feeding challenges
   

• Hyper- or hypotonia
   

• Neuromuscular disorders, such as muscular dystrophy (MD)
   

• Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
   

• And more!

 

Intervention Strategies and Programs

​

Our pediatric occupational therapists have specialized intervention training to treat many different diagnoses and special needs. Pediatric OTs also have experience working with other professionals such as speech therapists and physical therapists. At Boston Ability Center, many of our children visit multiple therapists on a regular basis, and our professionals often work in collaboration to treat your child. Pediatric occupational therapy strategies often include the following programs and modalities:

​

• Feeding therapy (possibly in conjunction with a speech therapist)

• Handwriting and other fine motor skills necessary for daily living

• Creating sensory diets to help children with sensory processing disorders thrive in the real world

• Therapeutic listening

 

Occupational therapists who work with children often have to rely on their creativity and ability to engage with their patients to best connect with them and devise treatment strategies that truly work for your child. Your child is an individual, and he or she will have specific needs and concerns that may or may not be related to his or her diagnosis. For example, if a child loves horses, we may find treatment material specific to horses to engage your child better. If your child has a favorite color, food, or TV show, let us know!

 

We enjoy getting to know you and your family — and the more we know, the better we can devise treatment programs and find appropriate material for helping your child live his or her best life. We are also prepared to answer parents' questions and explain how our treatment strategies work for our pediatric patients. Our goal is to partner fully with each of our families to increase your child's comfort and success.

​

Contact Us To Schedule Your Appointment

​

Often, children with diagnosed conditions need more than one type of pediatric therapy. We are able to perform thorough evaluations and create treatment plans for our pediatric patients. Get in touch with Boston Ability Center if you wish to learn more about occupational therapy and our other services! We look forward to partnering with your family and helping your child reach his or her potential.

​