Is this difficult for your child too? Let's talk about Pediatric Occupational Therapy!

Have you ever felt that your little one has a hard time holding a pencil, buttoning a button, or tying his shoelaces? Or does he not like to play with other children? Does he sometimes need your help with everyday tasks like eating alone or getting dressed? It is very normal for you, as a mother or father, to feel a little worried and scared when you see things like this. But don't worry, this is not just your child's problem. There is a special treatment method that can help such children and improve their abilities. That is what we are going to talk about today.

What is Pediatric Occupational Therapy?

Simply put, this is a special treatment method that helps children perform their daily tasks easily and successfully. To be precise, a child's "vocation" is to play, learn, and do their own work on their own. So, this treatment method is about developing the skills related to these "vocations" of the child.

Think about how many small things we have to do in our lives. Things like eating, getting dressed, writing, playing, talking to others. All of these require our brain and body to work together. Some children may have minor problems with this coordination. That's when the help of a Pediatric Occupational Therapist is needed.

These treatments help a child develop the following areas:

• Fine motor skills: These are the fine motor skills that involve using the small muscles in the hands and fingers. For example, writing with a pencil, cutting with scissors, stringing beads, and buttoning a shirt.
• Cognitive skills: These include mental processes such as thinking, paying attention, solving problems, and remembering things.
• Play and social skills : Things like how to play together with other children, waiting their turn, sharing things, and understanding the feelings of others.
• Activities of daily living: This refers to the ability to perform tasks on your own, such as eating, drinking, getting dressed, brushing your teeth, and putting on your shoes.
• Skills for education: Skills needed for schoolwork. For example, learning to write, coloring pictures, using scissors, etc.

This treatment does not do the same thing to every child.Each child is first thoroughly evaluated and a treatment plan is created that is specific to that child and suits their needs.

What kind of children need this treatment?

Any child, from infancy to adolescence, may need this treatment. Children with the following conditions are particularly likely to benefit from pediatric occupational therapy:

• Congenital condition: Children who have a condition that affects physical or mental functioning that is present at birth.
• Developmental delays: If a child is late in doing certain things (e.g. walking , talking, playing) that are appropriate for their age.
• Neurological conditions: For example, children with conditions such as Autism Spectrum Disorder ( ASD ) or Cerebral Palsy .
• Due to an accident: Get used to using things like prosthetics or mobility devices after an accident.
• Sensory processing disorder: Some children have a difference in the way they perceive things like sound , light, and touch . Some can't stand the touch of a clothing label. Others love to touch things like mud. These treatments can also help with these sensory problems.
• Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): This treatment is used to help children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) stay focused and stay focused.

What actually happens during a therapy session?

This is a question that many parents have. "What do they do when they take my child there?" These therapy sessions are actually very fun for the child. Because all of this is done while playing.

Day One: Evaluation of the Child

When you take your child to an occupational therapist, the first thing they do is find out what the child's abilities and difficulties are. We call this an evaluation.

• At this time, the therapist will ask you and your child questions. They will talk about your child's daily habits, the problems you are having, and what your hopes are.
• Then, the child is allowed to play. They are allowed to do small activities like taking down blocks, attaching beads, coloring pictures, and cutting with scissors.
• At this time, the therapist is paying close attention to the way the child does things, his behavior, his movements, and the way he solves problems.
• This first session usually takes about an hour or two. The most important thing is that the mother or father should be with the child during this time. It is also best to avoid involving other siblings as much as possible during this time. This will allow the therapist to focus on the child fully.

Then therapy sessions

After the assessment on the first day, the therapist creates a treatment plan that is tailored to the child. The plan clearly states the goals the child needs to achieve. In each subsequent session, fun activities are used to help the child reach these goals.

Imagine that the child's goal is to "learn to hold a pencil properly and write." The therapist might have the child play with Play-Doh (which strengthens the muscles in the fingers), draw with special pens and pencils, or write with their finger on something like shaving cream. While all of this may seem like a game to the child, each of these activities is developing a specific skill.

What are the benefits of this treatment for the child?

The biggest benefit of this treatment method is that it builds the child's self-esteem. You can imagine the joy a child feels when they can do something on their own that they thought they couldn't do.

• You will be able to succeed in school work.
• They become independent because they can do their own work.
• Self-confidence and self-esteem improve.
• They are able to play well with other children and build good social relationships.
• They learn to control their emotions and stay calm when they are upset.

Things your child may feel during treatment

There are no physical risks involved in these treatments. However, like all of us when learning something new, your child may sometimes experience these things:

• Stress: Something new can make you feel a little stressed.
• Frustration: Frustration can arise when something cannot be done properly.
• Confusion: There may be times when you don't know exactly what to do.
• Muscle soreness: When you are getting used to new movements, you may experience some minor muscle soreness.
• Avoidant behavior: You may try to avoid tasks that you find difficult.

At times like this , your support as a parent is very important for your child. It is also very important to talk to your child's therapist regularly and keep him/her informed about how your child is behaving at home. Then the therapist can adjust the treatment methods to best suit the child.

How can I, as a parent, help my child?

The biggest thing you can do on this journey is to support your child.

1. Be patient:Not all children are the same. One child may learn something quickly, while another may take longer. So be patient. Don't compare your child to others.

2. Practice at home: Do the activities your therapist tells you to do at home with your child. Make it fun for your child.

3. Communicate regularly with the therapist: Talk openly with the therapist about your child's progress, any problems you are having, and any changes you are seeing at home.

4. Praise your child: Praise your child for even the smallest success. Even something as simple as saying, "Today you put on your button by yourself, that's so sad!" is a great encouragement to your child.