What Does a Pediatric Occupational Therapist Do?

A pediatric occupational therapist (OT) helps children build the everyday skills they need to play, learn, and grow — things like fine motor control, handwriting, self-care (dressing, feeding, toileting), sensory processing, coordination, and attention. Using play-based activities, a pediatric OT assesses where a child is struggling and builds a plan to help them participate more fully at home, at school, and with friends.

What skills does a pediatric occupational therapist help with?

Pediatric OTs focus on the “occupations” of childhood — playing, learning, and daily routines. Common areas include fine motor skills (grasping, cutting, handwriting), gross motor and coordination, sensory processing (over- or under-sensitivity to sound, touch, movement), self-care and independence (dressing, feeding, toileting), visual-motor and pre-writing skills, attention and self-regulation, and social participation.

What conditions do pediatric OTs work with?

Pediatric OTs support children with a wide range of needs — not just diagnosed conditions. These include autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, developmental coordination disorder (DCD), sensory processing differences, developmental delays, cerebral palsy, and fine-motor or handwriting difficulties. Many children benefit from OT without any formal diagnosis at all.

What does a pediatric OT session look like?

Sessions are play-based and tailored to the child, so they often look like fun rather than “therapy.” An OT might use obstacle courses, crafts, games, or sensory activities to build specific skills, while coaching parents on strategies to use at home. Swift Health can see children in-clinic, at home, at school or daycare, or by tele-health.

How is pediatric OT different from physiotherapy or speech therapy?

Occupational therapy focuses on daily-life skills and participation; physiotherapy focuses on gross motor movement and physical function; speech therapy focuses on communication, language, and feeding/swallowing. The three often work together — for example, an OT and speech-language pathologist may both support a child with feeding difficulties from different angles.

When should I consider a pediatric OT for my child?

Consider an assessment if your child struggles with everyday tasks their peers manage, avoids certain textures or activities, has difficulty with handwriting or fine-motor tasks, or has big reactions to sensory input. You don’t need a diagnosis or a doctor’s referral to book a private OT assessment.

How Swift Health helps

Swift Health’s pediatric occupational therapists work with children across the Lower Mainland, in-clinic or in your community, and children are our specialty. Learn more on our occupational therapy for kids page.

Start with Swift Health

Wondering if pediatric OT is right for your child? Contact Swift Health to book an assessment or ask a question.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a referral for pediatric occupational therapy? No — you can book a private pediatric OT assessment without a doctor’s referral.

At what age can a child start OT? Occupational therapy can help children from infancy through the teen years; the right approach depends on the child’s age and needs.

Is pediatric OT covered by funding? It may be covered through BC Autism Funding, extended health benefits, or other programs depending on your child’s situation.