Occupation...
is a child’s play, self care, and all their daily learning tasks.

Therapy...
uses activities to improve the child’s ability to function in daily life, particularly with motor, perceptual and daily living skills.

Occupational Therapists work with children, adolescents and their families to maximise a child’s development. Therapy programs assist children to participate in preschool, school and home activities enhancing their quality of life.

Services may be provided to children and adolescents with a range of conditions which may include:
• developmental delay
• learning difficulties
• attention difficulties
• mental health difficulties
• physical disabilities
• intellectual disabilities
• insufficient social and/or play experiences
• Fragile X Syndrome
• Cerebral Palsy
• Down Syndrome

Areas of development that an Occupational Therapist can assist children with include:
• Play
• Fine motor – writing, cutting, drawing
• Gross motor – coordination, balance, organising/planning movements, ball skills
• Self care – dressing, eating, toileting, bathing, sleeping
• Visual Perception – making sense of what they see and developing the eye muscles for reading
• Sensory – meeting a child’s need for more or less sensation throughout the day to stay calm and alert
• Social skills
• Attention and concentration

Areas of development that an Occupational Therapist can assist adolescents with include:
• Daily life skills – meal preparation, budgeting, chores
• Maintaining a healthy lifestyle
• Personal hygiene and presentation skills
• Problem solving
• Increasing leisure activities
• Managing emotions and time
• Social skills