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Occupational therapy for children and young people

Why is occupation important for children’s development, health and well-being?  

Occupational therapists (OTs) help children and young people take part in the daily activities (occupations) that are important to them – at home, at school and elsewhere. 

‘OT helped my son immensely. We understood more the impact of sensory sensitivities, we used the report to inform school intervention, our OT went to school to talk through interventions. His teacher was wonderful, so engaged. The role of OT has been huge for us as a family’ – a parent  

Some children and young people have difficulty doing the things they want or have to do because they have physical, learning or mental health needs. 

Others struggle due to illness or family circumstances, or because of changes that happen as they grow and develop.   

Whatever the reason, we – occupational therapists – help children and young people take part in the activities and routines – the occupations – that give purpose and meaning to their lives. These include: 

  • self-care activities – getting dressed, eating and sleeping  

  • productive occupations – learning, writing, doing PE  

  • play and leisure – playing with friends and doing sports or hobbies. 

What do we do?  

We help children and young people grow, thrive and reach their full potential by identifying: 

  • activities they do well and those they find difficult  

  • personal, environmental and task-specific factors that help or limit their ability to take part  

  • different ways of doing things, teaching new skills or changing the environment to make it easier for them to participate, have fun and achieve. 

‘He seems to be able to recognize his own needs more since the therapy and has been able to attend school much more regulated’ – a parent. 

Types and levels of occupational therapy support  

Children and young people may need different types of occupational therapy support at different times. 

They can move between levels as their needs change, and as their skills and participation improve. 

Offering different levels of support means children and young people can access the occupational therapy they need, when they need it. 

We’ve broken them down into three rough categories. 

Universal support

This is available for everyone - you don’t have to be referred to benefit. 

The aim is to help the adults who spend most time with children and young people understand and support their learning, growth and participation. We also help them identify children and young people who may need a higher level of support.  

Universal interventions include: 

  • Information on websites and social media about everyday activities such as tying shoelaces, getting organised and riding a bike. 
  • Webinars and workshops for parents, carers and teachers on areas such as supporting well-being, environmental adaptations to reduce sensory overwhelm and encouraging physical activity.  

Targeted support

This level of support addresses the needs of children and young people whose mental health, physical development and/or learning outcomes are of concern. They are often delivered by occupational therapists in partnership with others. 

Targeted interventions prevent difficulties from escalating – helping to reduce the need for more intense, specialist interventions later.  

Targeted interventions include: 

  • OT-led groups and workshops for young people, families and professionals with recognised challenges. For example – ‘Understanding your child’s sensory needs’. 
  • Programmes developed and overseen by an occupational therapist but delivered by others. For example – a school-based handwriting programme. 
  • Support to help schools and nurseries understand how sensory, motor, mental health, medical or other difficulties affect children and young people’s participation and achievement – advising strategies and approaches as appropriate. 
  • Advice to help parents, carers or teachers adapt activities, equipment and environments to help individuals and groups of children and young people take part and achieve at home, school and elsewhere. 
  • Advice to help parents, carers and teachers embed approaches that support children’s health, development and wellbeing into their daily routines. 

Individualised support

This level of involvement is for children and young people with the most complex needs and circumstances. 

Some individuals require a period of direct intervention to address a particular need. Others benefit from personalised input to monitor and adjust interventions as their complex needs change, or at times of transition.  

Adopting a strengths-based approach helps individuals and families develop the skills and the confidence to understand themselves and manage their occupational needs throughout their lives. 

‘Occupational therapy really helped me at a young age. They advised simple, practical strategies like a ruler with a handle and a sloping desk to help my writing which really improved it. Also things like laying clothes in the order of putting them on, as this was a struggle…I have massive appreciation for the work OTs do!’ – young adult.  

How occupational therapy makes a difference – a parent’s view

‘Our daughter’s life has been transformed by occupational therapy. Every single self-care act has been patiently taught by a skilled professional. 

Our daughter is currently six, and from one year old they have patiently worked their way up from grasp to point. Working on isolating the fine motor skills required to dress, feed, and communicate. 

She can now dress and feed herself. She loves to wash herself and brush her hair. She has a great pen grip and walks everywhere with a pen and notepad to draw and is making outstanding progress towards writing legible letters and numbers. 

When she was two, we were told that she was essentially a vegetable and there was no hope – that didn’t stop the dedicated professionals in her life who continued to determinedly work to support her in achieving her milestones. 

Bear in mind this includes the Covid years, with an OT working on shape-sorters and puzzles via Zoom – helping every step of the way.’