Occupational Therapy: When Does Your Child Need It?

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​Is your child in need of occupational therapy? Find out when it is time to call in professionals for help.

Does your child experience difficulty in their day-to-day activities? Are they going through more challenges than the average child?

If you said yes to all of these, it might be time to consider occupational therapy. The professional support and guidance might be what your child needs to cope with their environment–at home, in school, and the general community.

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Occupational Therapy for Children

Occupational therapy is a method of treatment for individuals dealing with physical, cognitive, and sensory disabilities. It is quite common in children, which is why this type of treatment is recommended for them. Not only is the treatment designed to strengthen skills, but it can also enhance your child’s self-esteem.

When trying to determine if your child needs to undergo this kind of treatment, it is important to know what conditions this treatment can address:

• Developmental Delay – Developmental delay in your child could mean that they have not developed the skills expected at a particular age, i.e., they are behind other kids in terms of specific skills or abilities. A common example of this is speech delay. If your child fails to meet the development milestones expected of their age, they could be suffering from developmental delays. Make sure to consult an occupational therapist about it so your child’s condition can be properly diagnosed. Aside from a delay in the development of sensory or motor skills, your child can also exhibit poor social skills.
• Fine Motor Skills – This refers to the small movements in various body parts such as fingers, toes, lips, tongue, and wrist. Fine motor skills enable you to hold objects properly (especially small objects). If your child is struggling with performing these basic tasks, their fine motor skills might not be fully developed. This particular skill is highly important during the development stages of your child. Make sure that you consult an occupational therapist about this particular condition so it can be treated.
• Gross Motor Skills – On the other end of the spectrum, there are gross motor skills. Whereas fine motor skills problems refer to the inability to manage small movements, this one is the opposite. Your child might experience difficulties when dealing with the movements of the large muscle groups. This might result in your child being clumsy or lacking in coordination. The real-world impact of this problem could mean a lack of balance, poor handling skills, etc. Therapists can help in this case so your child will be able to control their motor skills.
• Social Interaction – This is one of the most common issues addressed during occupational therapy for children. If your child has difficulty interacting socially or has language difficulties, it becomes difficult for them to adapt.

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​Searching for the Best Occupational Therapy in Colorado Springs CO?

When in search of occupational therapy in Colorado Springs, look no further than WellCare Pediatric Therapy Specialists. We specialize in occupational, speech, physical and ABA therapy for children. We have the best pediatric specialists in Colorado Springs as part of our team. 

We have some of the best pediatric physical therapy Colorado Springs can offer. Book an occupational therapy session now or consider scheduling a free pediatric screening. To sign up visit here: https://www.wellcareco.com/schedule-a-free-screening.html. For any other inquiries, you may call us at (719) 598-5555 or contact us at https://www.wellcareco.com/contact-us.html. We will be happy to assist you!