Occupational Therapy in Lafayette, IN for Pediatric Care
Why pediatric occupational therapy in Lafayette, IN may be the key to your child’s success
Does your child struggle with their motor skills or coordination? Have they been diagnosed with a learning disorder or behavioral problem? If so, your child might benefit from occupational therapy in Lafayette, IN.
Pediatric occupational therapy in Lafayette, IN is designed to address each child’s individual needs. Occupational therapy helps patients learn to execute self-care tasks, leisure activities, and responsibilities to live a productive life. Our highly skilled occupational therapists at Wee Speak Therapy & Learning Center provide individualized treatment tailored to the child’s strengths, interests, and unique needs.
Wondering if pediatric occupational therapy is a good fit for your child? We can help! Call us to book an appointment at Wee Speak Therapy & Learning Center today!
What Is Pediatric Occupational Therapy in Lafayette, IN?
Pediatric occupational therapy is an effective way to help youthful patients gain independence by improving visual skills, sensory-motor skills, and other functions required to perform in different settings. Occupational therapy aims to help children build functional ability in daily environments.
While physical therapy focuses on range of motion and physical functionality, OT helps children ease into daily activities and complete appropriate tasks for their age. Occupational therapy for children often incorporates speech therapy which is used for conditions like speech apraxia. Speech therapy focuses on the jaw, lips, throat, and tongue. If applicable to your child’s condition, occupational therapists will work with speech-language pathologists (SLP) to maximize progress during therapy.
Occupational Milestones
0-3 Months
- Voluntarily grasps objects if placed in palm (Grasp Reflex)
- Follows objects past midline
- Clasps hands together at midline
- Tolerates being held
- Hands remain closed most of the time
- Becomes upset when moved, picked up, laid down, or handed to another person
3-6 Months
- Follows an object with his/her eyes
- Holds own bottle
- Swipes or reaches for objects
- Grasps toys actively
- Puts hands in mouth
- Demonstrates purposeful reaching
- Becomes irritable for no apparent reason
6-9 Months
- Holds onto objects for a few minutes
- Can transfer an object from hand to hand
- Smiles at own image in a mirror
- Does not get upset at leaving the home
- Bangs two objects together
- Takes objects out of a container
- Feeds self finger foods
9-12 Months
- Picks up small objects
- Accepts a variety of food textures
- Is not excessively upset by being dressed, diapered, or bathed
- Sleeps through the night most of the time
- Explores toys made for one-year-olds
- Intentionally drops and releases objects
- Pokes and points with index finger
- Picks up small objects using thumb and fingers
Around 15 Months
- Puts a round shape into a round shape puzzle
- Stacks 2 cubes
- Drinks from an open cup
- Holds crayon with whole hand (thumb up)
- Feeds self with a spoon
- Removes socks
18-24 Months
- Stacks 4 cubes (builds a tower)
- Turns pages of a cardboard book, 2 to 3 pages at a time
- Points to or names body parts, such as eyes, nose, mouth, etc.
- Gives hugs and kisses
- Throws a small ball
- Turns a knob
2-3 Years
- Removes socks, unties shoes, or pulls on pants without help
- Plays with toys only by tapping, shaking, or throwing
- Holds a crayon with thumb and all fingers (thumb down)
- Completes simple puzzles
- Holds pencil with tripod grasp
- Imitates circular, vertical, and horizontal strokes
- Buttons/unbuttons large buttons
- Drinks from a cup
3-4 Years
- Pretends during play
- Imitates the actions of adults
- Stacks 8-10 blocks
- Removes/pulls on clothes
- Feeds self with little to no spilling
- Strings small beads
4-5 Years
- Shows hand preference
- Draws a person with 3 parts
- Threads 1/4 inch beads
- Copies squares
- Manages buttons/zippers/snaps
- Uses scissors to follow and cut both straight and curved lines
Who Benefits From Occupational Therapy in Lafayette, IN?
Children don’t require a medical condition to benefit from occupational therapy. OT can help kids overcome delays or difficulties so they can participate in home, school, and social environments.
Children with the following conditions are often treated in occupational therapy:
- birth injuries/congenital disabilities
- sensory processing disorders
- brain or spinal cord injuries
- learning disorders
- autism
- Behavioral issues
- developmental delays
- post-surgical hand conditions
- spina bifida cerebral palsy
- chronic illnesses
- Down syndrome
Many of these conditions and their symptoms can cause a child to have issues with their self-esteem and personal connections. Fortunately, our therapists are here to support your family and guide your child through a progressive treatment plan. During your initial consultation, our pediatric OTs in Lafayette, IN will assess your child’s condition, behaviors, and limitations that they display. We will observe how your child functions in normal settings and design a plan with corrective measures in order to enhance your child’s life.
What Can Be Accomplished Through OT?
Occupational therapists can help children in a number of ways, including:
- Improving fine motor skills: Cutting paper, handwriting, opening a lunchbox, grasping toys
- Improving hand-eye coordination: Throwing a ball, copying from a whiteboard, playing an instrument while reading music
- Learning self care tasks: Bathing, getting dressed, brushing teeth
- Behavioral correction in all environments: Anger management, coping skills, learning to handle emotions
- Learning to use specialized equipment: Wheelchairs, splints, crutches, communication aids, etc.
- Improving attention and social skills
Our pediatric occupational therapists at Wee Speak Therapy & Learning Center help children build confidence and success in self-care, school, recreational activities, and community participation.
What to Expect During Sessions at Wee Speak Therapy & Learning Center
Our occupational therapy programs help children build developmental skills in a safe, fun, and comfortable way. Our therapists at Wee Speak Therapy & Learning Center can teach your child how to perform daily tasks, including dressing and eating, drawing, writing, and playing with friends.
During treatment, your child’s OT will develop goals to support areas of need, assess your child’s developmental and learning needs, implement appropriate activities to help meet a child’s goal, and make environmental changes if necessary. We will begin with a comprehensive assessment of your child and their needs. We know that each child is unique in their own way, which is why we customize treatment plans to ensure our patients have the best chance of success. It’s important that we understand your child’s daily environments, such as school, hobbies, recreational activities, and home life. This way, we can tailor exercises and developmental strategies to fit your child’s lifestyle.
Book an Appointment Today!
Our team at Wee Speak Therapy & Learning Center in Lafayette, IN is committed to helping your child find the relief they need. Through effective exercises and evidence-based techniques, we can help your child improve their quality of life by strengthening their relationships and developing their independence.
Why Choose Wee Speak Therapy & Learning Center?
At Wee Speak Therapy & Learning Center, our team of caring and skilled pediatric therapists is dedicated to helping children in Lafayette, IN overcome challenges and reach their full potential. We specialize in treating developmental delays and various pediatric conditions to ensure your child has the best possible life.