Families and fellow professionals often ask, what does Occupational Therapists (OTs) & Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants (COTAs) do in the Early Intervention world?
OTs and COTAs grow the capacity of Parents to meet the needs of their child in promoting, growth and development in the natural environments where families live, work, and play.
More specifically, OTs & COTAs address all of the following domains across the lifespan.
– Activities of Daily Living
– Instrumental Activities of Daily Living
– Rest and Sleep
– Education
– Work
– Play
– Leisure
– Social Participation
Occupational Therapists in Early Intervention:
“A child’s life is made up of “occupations,” or daily activities. These occupations include playing, learning, and socializing. Occupational therapy practitioners work with children and their families to help them succeed in these activities throughout the day. They also help with basic challenges faced by most families, from creating morning routines to choosing appropriate toys.” (AOTA, 2021)
Additional areas of development addressed include:
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Delays in fine motor skills impacting play, drawing/writing, and self-feeding
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Sensory processing differences which impact participation in daily routines & overall coordination
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Difficulty eating age-appropriate textures and varieties of foods, or drinking from a straw/cup & supporting mealtime participation
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Delays in self-care skills (e.g. brushing teeth, washing hands, getting undressed/dressed, toileting