Pediatric Occupational Therapy

Who are Pediatric Occupational Therapists

Pediatric occupational therapy focuses on helping children develop the skills they need to grow into functional, independent adults. Physical impairments, injuries, and a number of other issues can inhibit a child’s ability to perform common tasks or progress normally through the stages of social and cognitive development. Our therapists specialize in occupational therapy for children. The longer a child endures these impairments without learning the necessary skills, the larger the problem becomes as the child matures into adulthood. 

Now offering social skills groups at both our Aurora and Lakewood locations, and welcome new patients!
Our groups are lead by both an occupational therapist and a speech therapist, and are one hour per week. They run for 7-week sessions.  

 Pediatric Occupational Therapy Treatments

Pediatric occupational therapy can benefit children who fall into several categories, occupational therapy for autism to premature infants, to kids with ADHD, to children struggling to read or write. What areas can pediatric occupational therapy address? Consider the following list:

Fine Motor Skills

Finger dexterity, wrist and forearm control, and hand strength

Cognitive Motor Skills

Remembering letters, shapes and sequences

Social Skills

Taking turns, listening and following directions

Gross Motor Skills

Balance and body coordination

Self-care Tasks

Dressing, bathing and self-feeding

Sensory Integration

Exposing children to sensory stimulation in a structured, repetitive way.
If you have a condition you don’t see listed here, it doesn’t mean we can’t help you. Please contact our office to inquire about the full range of our physical therapy services, or make an appointment to speak with us in person. We serve both children and adults.

Equipment & Methods

When working with children, pediatric occupational therapists often incorporate play into practice as a way of motivating them and reducing any anxiety or fears they might feel toward therapy. Play can involve games, toys, puzzles, songs or physical exercises. In all cases, the goal of pediatric occupational therapy is not only to help children adequately progress but to challenge them appropriately, helping to build self-esteem and confidence when it comes to their capabilities and aptitude.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Occupational Therapy?

Occupational Therapy is a skilled physical medicine practice that can help people across the lifespan engage in meaningful activities.

How do I know if my child has a Sensory Integration Disorder?

A sensory integration disorder happens when the brain and nervous system receive sensory information and have a disproportionate response to them. This may present as intolerance or avoidance to certain activities or as craving or obsession over certain activities. An Occupational Therapist can help determine which sensations are integrating like the majority of others and which are over or under responsive.

What should my child expect during their first Occupational Therapy session?

During the initial evaluation your child should expect an assessment of skills and deficits affecting your child’s life. Standardized Assessments and an Occupational Interview will be conducted to determine the most appropriate goals and plan of care for continued treatment.

What do Occupational Therapists address?

We like to joke that an Occupation is anything that occupies your time, but it is pretty close to the truth. Occupational Therapy examines your social roles (student, parent, partner, your work occupation, etc), your cultural and spiritual needs, your physical and cognitive abilities and how you are able to complete your daily tasks and hobbies. We use activity analysis to determine what skills are helping your thrive and which skills need more development for you to feel satisfied with your own performance or meet the performance expectation of your age group. We call many of these activities “ADLs” or Activities of Daily Living.

What is sensory processing?

Much of the development of how our brain interprets sensory information occurs during the first 3-5 months of neonatal life. Many environmental and genetic factors shape how our brain responds and prioritizes sensory stimuli and how we will react to it as a child and into adulthood.

What are some common conditions Occupational Therapists treat?

Occupational Therapy treatments range from pediatric play, feeding and handwriting skills to adult rehabilitation after injury or significant life events such as a stroke.

We have Occupational Therapists who specialize in:

  • Autism Services
  • Sensory Processing
  • Handwriting and Coordination
  • Oncology/Lymphedema Management
  • Stroke Rehabilitation
  • Upper Extremity Rehabilitation
  • Functional Capacity (return to work)
  • Evaluations
  • Pain and Stress Management
  • Lifestyle Redesign
  • Off-Road Driving Assessment

Get in Touch

Aurora & Lakewood 

(720) 535-5671

 Fax: (303) 362-8986

Hours

Monday - Thursday — 8am - 6pm
Saturday & Sunday — Closed

Phone Hours:
Monday - Thursday — 9am - 6pm
Friday — 9am - 1pm

Therapy Locations:

2851 S. Parker Road Suite 570

Aurora, CO 80014
274 Union Blvd
Lakewood, CO 80228 Suite 220