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How Your Child Can Benefit From Occupational Therapy

by Emma Watson

Children suffering from various health complications experience difficulty moving on with their everyday lives. Depending on the severity of their medical condition, some of them cannot do regular tasks independently. They require their parents or caregiver's assistance which can frustrate their recovery process. Pediatric therapy can benefit many children recovering from surgeries, injuries, amputations, and intense treatment regimens. Occupational therapy is a subset of pediatric therapy and involves helping children learn to be functional despite their injuries and sickness. These therapists improve their patients' functional abilities, boosting their self-esteem and improving their chances of a quick recovery. In general, working with specialized occupational therapists helps ensure your child gets the most out of the procedure. The following are some of the ways that your child can benefit from this form of pediatric therapy:

It Can Improve the Child's Gross Motor Skills

Children develop their gross motor skills at a very young age when they learn how to sit, crawl, walk, and run. These skills help them develop the largest muscles in their bodies, which are found in their limbs. When they are recovering from illnesses affecting these muscles, children may lose these skills and have to learn all over again. Medical experts may recommend pediatric therapy for children who have locomotion, balance, stability, and posture issues. These therapists can intervene early enough to cater to the child's specific needs and teach them these skills positively. 

It Can Rebuild Your Child's Fine Motor Skills 

After learning the gross motor skills, children work on the fine motor skills, which involve small and deliberate muscles. These skills enable the child to coordinate their finger and hand movements with the eyes. Children who lose this skill find it challenging to complete complex academic tasks like scribbling and writing using various stationery. Furthermore, many of these children cannot maintain their hygiene since activities like showering, dressing, and tying shoelaces become impossible without help. Enrolling such children in pediatric therapy facilitates them to build these skills once again. Consequently, your child will have an easy time in the classroom, at home, and playing with other children. 

It Improves Your Child's Independence 

Children recovering from life-changing injuries or medical procedures cannot be fully independent without occupational pediatric therapy. They will require assistance in doing simple tasks like dressing, grooming, and eating. You will have to employ a qualified caregiver or take time off to take care of them. On the other hand, occupational therapists can train them to do these crucial tasks independently. Being independent will help improve the recovery process making them confident to interact with other children and family members. For more information, contact a pediatric therapy clinic.

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