Children with developmental delays may benefit from pediatric occupational therapy to help them reach the expected level of skills for their age. Youngsters can be slow to develop certain skills because of various issues. Pediatric therapy services in Surprise, AZ, provide fun and effective strategies that make it easier for kids to progress.
Examples
Developmental delays can occur when a baby is born prematurely or with cerebral palsy. A severe injury experienced by a toddler may have caused delays. The same is true for a serious illness like cancer, requiring intensive treatment. A traumatic event in a child’s life also can reduce normal progression.
Evaluation
Sometimes parents don’t know why a child lags behind in one or more specific skills. A medical evaluation should be completed first. If no disorders or illnesses are diagnosed, an occupational therapist with pediatric therapy services in Surprise, AZ, can provide an evaluation to discover why the problem is happening. Often, a little one simply needs more direct attention and practice in motor coordination, social skills, and other developmental areas.
A Customized Plan
Pediatric occupational therapists create a customized plan for each youngster after an evaluation and an interview with the parent or parents. Practitioners use toys and objects of interest to each particular child, which generates individualized enthusiasm for the program. Kids look forward to their occupational therapy sessions instead of viewing these sessions as a chore and dreading it. Although at first, they may feel embarrassed and self-conscious, they quickly grow to appreciate the enjoyment of the activities and realizing their self-improvement.
