Every child learns about themselves and the world through connection, play, regulation, and exploration. The things children do every day – their ‘occupations’ – are the meaningful activities that make up their lives. These include playful moments with friends and family, self-care tasks like getting dressed or brushing their teeth, and learning experiences at school and in the community. Through these everyday activities, children develop confidence, independence, and a sense of belonging.
For some children, these experiences come naturally. For others, certain parts of their daily life can feel a little trickier – and that’s okay. These challenges can sometimes affect their confidence or how easily they participate in play, learning, or self-care.
When this happens, paediatric occupational therapy can offer gentle, practical support for both the child and their trusted network. The goal isn’t to ‘fix’ the child, but to understand their unique strengths, needs, and experiences. By doing so, paediatric occupational therapy helps children feel heard, safe, regulated, and connected so they can fully engage in the moments that matter most.
A child may benefit from paediatric occupational therapy if they:
- Find it hard to remain focused during home, community, or learning-based tasks
- Experience big emotions that can feel tricky to manage on their own
- Avoid or seek certain sensations in ways that interfere with daily routines
- Tire easily during play, sport, self-care, or classroom activities
- Have difficulty with fine motor tasks like handwriting, scissor skills, or fastening buttons or shoelaces
- Find it challenging to join in or demonstrate symbolic or cooperative play skills
- Would benefit from adaptive equipment, task adaptations, or environmental modifications to participate in everyday activities
What is a Paediatric Occupational Therapist
Paediatric Occupational Therapists help children make sense of their daily experiences and build the skills they need to thrive in their natural environments. At ORS, our paediatric Occupational Therapists lead with a relationship-focused and child-led lense. We meet children, and their support networks, where they are and this can take place within their homes, schools, day-care settings, or community spaces, as well as in our ORS clinics.
We provide assessments to better understand a child’s sensory, motor, emotional, and functional needs and provide skill-building support directly to a child and their support networks. Paediatric occupational therapy sessions are fun and are always tailored to a child’s interests and goals.
For example, this might include obstacle courses to support motor planning, sensory-based play to help regulate their bodies, direct handwriting instruction, or even self-care skill practice through play. We also love to share knowledge – and can provide advice on adaptive equipment, environmental modifications, and task adjustments that we believe could support a child’s participation and independence.
As paediatric Occupational Therapists, we know that children thrive when surrounded by supportive, connected environments – and families, caregivers, teachers and other professionals are at the heart of that support. This is why we work closely with the adults who know the child best, setting collaborative, meaningful goals that respect the child’s preferences, values, and unique way of being, ensuring therapy is truly family-centred and impactful.
How Does a Paediatric Occupational Therapist Support Autistic Children?
Autistic children experience and engage with the world in beautifully diverse ways. They may find deep joy in their special interests, notice details others might miss, or experience sensations and emotions more vividly. These unique ways of thinking, feeling, and connecting are part of who they are and they are worth celebrating.
Sometimes, a child’s support needs may not align perfectly with the expectations of their environment, and this can make parts of their day feel harder. That’s where occupational therapy can help.
Therapy begins by truly getting to know the child – their strengths, sensory preferences, communication style, and what helps them feel calm and connected. The focus is never on changing who they are, but on creating safe, trusting spaces where they can explore, express, and participate in ways that feel joyful and true to them. Sessions can include:
- Building safe, trusting relationships that support co-regulation and emotional safety
- Discovering sensory strategies that help the child’s body feel calm and organised (like movement, deep pressure, or quiet spaces)
- Encouraging movement, coordination, and creativity through child-led play
- Supporting participation in daily self-care routines in ways that respect the child’s pace and preferences
- Following the child’s lead in play to nurture socio-emotional skills
- Providing targeted input to further develop motor planning, motor execution, and coordination
- Recommending adaptive equipment, environmental adjustments, or accommodations to enhance participation and independence
One of the most special parts of being a Paediatric Occupational Therapist is supporting children on their journey toward self-understanding and self-advocacy. I once worked with a young Autistic girl who, near the end of our therapy together, told me something that has stayed with me ever since – that through occupational therapy, she learned she was autistic, and that it was something to be proud of.
She said therapy helped her understand herself, feel confident to share this with others, and ask for what she needed. It was a beautiful reminder that occupational therapy isn’t about changing a child, but about helping them understand, embrace, and celebrate who they already are.
Final Thoughts
Paediatric occupational therapy is about helping children feel safe, confident, and capable in their world. Through connection, curiosity, and playful exploration, we support children to develop the skills and self-understanding they need to thrive. Whether it’s building independence in self-care routines, finding calm in busy environments, joining in play with peers, or discovering new ways to express themselves, occupational therapy can make a meaningful difference.
If you’ve noticed your child finding certain daily activities tricky, struggling to join in play, or needing extra support to participate fully in daily life, our friendly paediatric occupational therapy team at ORS would love to walk alongside you and your family on that journey. Together, we can help your child feel confident, capable, and celebrated for exactly who they are.
FAQ
How do I know if my child may benefit from Paediatric Occupational Therapy?
A child may benefit from seeing a paediatric occupational therapist if they:
- Struggle to focus during learning or home tasks
- Experience strong emotions that are hard to regulate
- Seek or avoid certain sensations in ways that disrupt routines
- Find fine motor tasks such as handwriting or buttoning difficult
- Tire easily during play, sport, or classroom activities
- Have difficulty joining play with others or using symbolic play
- Would benefit from adaptive equipment or environmental modifications
What happens during a Paediatric Occupational Therapy session?
OT sessions are playful, engaging, and tailored to the child’s interests and goals. Activities may include obstacle courses for motor planning, sensory-based play for regulation, handwriting practice, or role-playing self-care routines through fun, meaningful scenarios. The focus is on helping the child feel safe, regulated, and confident.
How does a Paediatric Occupational Therapist support autistic children?
Occupational therapists help autistic children by creating safe, trusting spaces where their unique strengths, sensory preferences, and communication styles are understood and honoured. Therapy may include co-regulation strategies, sensory supports, and child-led play. It can also involve movement activities and changes to daily routines. These help promote independence and joy in participation.
Do Paediatric Occupational Therapists work with families and schools?
Yes. Pediatric Occupational Therapists work closely with parents, caregivers, teachers, and other professionals. They make sure the child gets support in all settings. They collaborate on meaningful goals, suggest strategies for daily routines, and recommend environmental or task modifications to help the child succeed in everyday life.
