What is Occupational Therapy?

A simplified answer to this question is:

“Occupational therapy supports individuals to engage in everyday life, with increased meaning and independence”

Understanding Occupational Therapy


One of the reasons it is so challenging to describe “Occupational Therapy” is that the scope of practice is so broad. Scope of practice refers to the range of roles, responsibilities, and interventions that Occupational Therapists (OTs) are educated, trained and qualified to provide.

Occupational therapists work with people across the whole lifespan to support participation in everyday activities. These activities are referred to as “occupations”- hence occupational therapy. An OTs scope of practice is broad, flexible, and holistic. Occupational therapists consider the interaction between the person, their environment, and the activities they need or want to do.

What is Paediatric Occupational Therapy?

Another simplified descriptor for you:

“Occupational therapy supports children to engage within their environments, with increased confidence, knowledge and skill”

As mentioned above OTs support participation in “occupations”. So lets look at what constitutes as kid’s occupations:

  1. Play
  2. Education
  3. Social participation
  4. Self-care
  5. Rest

With these occupations in mind an occupational therapist can therefore support children to build their confidence, skills and abilities. Alongside increasing their resilience and independence in the following areas:

  • Fine and gross motor skills
  • Sensory processing and regulation
  • Emotional regulation
  • Executive functioning skills (attention, planning, and organisation)
  • Self-care
  • Social skills and play
  • School participation

These areas can be addressed through adapting environments or routines to reduce barriers, and utilising tools and/or strategies that support safety, confidence, and success.

One of the reasons I love paediatric occupational therapy is that it adopts a child-centred and strengths-based approach. Recognising that every child is unique, valued and capable. Therapy is practical, play-based, and meaningful, tailored to each child’s needs, interests, and goals. OTs are collaborative and partner with families, teachers, and other professionals to support children in the environments that matter most to them.