What is Paediatric Occupational Therapy?

Helping children build the skills, confidence and independence to participate in everyday life.

Childhood is full of opportunities to learn, explore, play and grow. From getting dressed in the morning and managing mealtimes, to making friends, navigating the classroom and developing independence, children are constantly learning the skills they need to participate in the world around them.

Sometimes, these everyday activities don't come easily. A child may find certain movements challenging, struggle with handwriting or coordination, feel overwhelmed by sensory experiences, have difficulty managing emotions or find everyday routines harder than expected.

Paediatric occupational therapy (OT) helps children develop the skills and strategies they need to navigate these everyday challenges and participate more comfortably, confidently and independently in the activities that matter to them.

At Holistic Paediatrics, we recognise that every child is different. Our approach is centred on understanding the whole child — their developmental journey, individual strengths, interests, environment and unique needs. We aim to build on what a child can do, identify what might be getting in their way, and work alongside families to support meaningful progress.

What areas can Occupational Therapy help with?

Paediatric occupational therapy can support children across a range of developmental areas, including:

1. Fine motor skills and handwriting

Developing the smaller movements and coordination needed for everyday tasks, such as:

• Holding and using pencils, crayons and scissors.
• Drawing, colouring and handwriting.
• Manipulating small objects, doing up buttons and using zips.
• Developing hand strength, dexterity and coordination.

2. Gross motor skills and coordination

Supporting the movement skills children need to explore their environment and participate in physical activities, including:

• Balance, posture and body awareness.
• Coordination and motor planning.
• Ball skills, jumping, hopping and playground activities.
• Confidence participating in sport and physical play.

3. Sensory processing and regulation

Children experience and respond to the world through their senses. Some children may be particularly sensitive to sounds, textures, touch, movement, light or busy environments. Others may actively seek additional sensory experiences.

An OT can help understand how these sensory differences affect a child's everyday participation and develop practical strategies to support their comfort, regulation and engagement at home and school.

4. Emotional regulation and coping skills

Developing the ability to recognise, understand and respond to emotions can be challenging for some children.

OT may help children:

• Recognise and communicate their feelings and needs.
• Develop strategies to manage overwhelming emotions.
• Navigate transitions and changes in routine.
• Build coping strategies for challenging situations.
• Develop confidence and a greater understanding of themselves.

5. Self-care and everyday independence

Building the skills needed to manage daily routines and personal care, such as:

• Dressing, undressing and managing fasteners.
• Feeding and using cutlery.
• Toileting and personal hygiene.
• Brushing teeth and managing morning and bedtime routines.
• Developing age-appropriate independence.

6. Play, social participation and interaction

Play is fundamental to childhood development. It is how children explore, learn, communicate and build relationships.

OT can support children to:

• Develop play skills and explore different types of play.
• Participate in shared activities and games.
• Develop turn-taking and social participation.
• Build confidence engaging with peers.
• Navigate social environments and group activities.

7. Attention, organisation and executive functioning

Some children find it difficult to organise themselves, get started on tasks, maintain attention or manage multiple steps in an activity.

OT can help develop practical strategies for:

• Planning and organising everyday activities.
• Following routines and instructions.
• Starting and completing tasks.
• Managing transitions and time.
• Developing independence with schoolwork and daily responsibilities.

Who might benefit from Paediatric OT?

Occupational therapy may benefit infants, children and adolescents who experience difficulties with everyday activities or need additional support with their development.

This may include children with:

• Autism and other neurodevelopmental differences.
• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
• Developmental delays or differences.
• Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD).
• Fine or gross motor difficulties.
• Sensory processing differences.
• Learning and handwriting difficulties.
• Emotional regulation and functional participation challenges.
• Difficulties with self-care and everyday independence.

Importantly, a formal diagnosis is not always necessary to benefit from occupational therapy. Sometimes, it is simply about recognising that a child is finding certain aspects of everyday life challenging and exploring how best to support them.

What does OT involve?

Occupational therapy is individualised and goal-directed. The starting point is understanding the child, their family and the activities they find challenging or would like to become more confident doing.

Following an initial assessment, the OT will work with the family to identify meaningful goals and develop an individualised plan.

Depending on the child's needs, therapy may involve:

• Play-based activities to develop specific skills.
• Practical, task-based activities that relate to everyday life.
• Strategies to support sensory processing and emotional regulation.
• Developing independence with daily routines.
• Parent education, coaching and practical strategies for home.
• Recommendations and collaboration with schools and other professionals, where appropriate.

Therapy is not just about what happens in the clinic. We want the skills children develop to translate into their everyday lives — at home, at school and in the wider community.

Our approach at Holistic Paediatrics

At Holistic Paediatrics, we believe that supporting a child's development means looking beyond individual skills or isolated challenges.

We take a developmental, family-centred and neuroaffirming approach, recognising that children develop in different ways and at different rates. We value each child's strengths, interests and individuality, while acknowledging the challenges that they and their families may experience.

Our aim is to understand not just what a child is finding difficult, but why — and how we can work together to make everyday life a little easier.

We recognise that parents and caregivers know their children best. By working in partnership with families, and where appropriate with educators and other treating professionals, we aim to build practical skills, confidence and strategies that can be carried into everyday life.

Every child deserves the opportunity to participate, connect, learn and thrive in their own way.

At Holistic Paediatrics, we're here to support that journey.