Occupational Therapy for Children
The Occupational Therapy (OT) Department at Al Soor Specialist Clinic, Sharjah, is committed to providing specialized, child-centred services that fosters development, independence, and quality of life for children facing various challenges.
What is Occupational Therapy?
Paediatric Occupational Therapy helps children develop the skills they need for daily activities, play, and learning.
It focuses on enhancing fine motor skills, sensory integration, and cognitive abilities to enable independence in tasks like dressing, writing, or social interaction.
Occupational therapists work with children facing developmental delays, physical disabilities, or sensory challenges, tailoring interventions to their unique needs.
Through engaging activities, therapy fosters growth in motor coordination, self-regulation, and confidence, empowering children to thrive in school, home, and community environment
Individualized Care: We believe that each child is unique and faces differing challenges and therefore requires an individualized approach.
Assessment: Our Occupational Therapist begins by making an assessment to identify the specific issues a child faces in daily tasks. Following the evaluation, objectives are established, and the intervention strategy also addresses the parent’s priorities.
Play Therapy: We use engaging, child-friendly techniques and play-based activities to support skill development and promote independence in everyday routines. These approaches ensure therapy is both effective and enjoyable for the child.
One-on-one Setting: Therapy sessions are offered in a one-on-one setting, which helps the therapist focus and address specific challenges the child faces.
Parental Involvement: We also actively involve parents during sessions, providing guidance and training to help families implement strategies and use therapeutic tools at home. This collaborative approach ensures progress continues beyond the therapy room.
What are the goals of Occupational Therapy (OT) in children?
- Enhances skills for age-appropriate independence.
- Specific skills include self-care tasks like dressing, eating, and grooming.
2) To Address Developmental Delays
- Supports children who are not meeting physical, cognitive, or social milestones.
- Aims for progress in particular skills that a child needs with specific techniques.
3) To Improve Gross Motor Skills:
- Improve core strength and postural control to enhance sitting and standing balance.
- Develop coordination for activities like jumping, hopping, or climbing stairs.
- Increase endurance for prolonged physical activity, like walking or playing.
- Enhance bilateral coordination for activities like catching and throwing a ball.
4) To Improve Fine Motor Skills:
- Improve hand-eye coordination for tasks like drawing or using scissors.
- Develop hand strength and dexterity for writing or manipulating small objects.
- Enhance grip and precision for self-care tasks like buttoning or tying shoelaces.
- Foster independence in everyday tasks by integrating motor skills into functional activities.
5) To Develop Sensory Processing Skills
- Helps children regulate responses to sensory input (e.g., sounds, sights, smells, tastes, textures, or movements).
- Reduces sensory sensitivities or sensory-seeking behaviours.
6) To Enhance Social and Emotional Development
- Promotes confidence, self-regulation, and social interaction skills.
- Helps children manage frustration and cope with challenges.
7) To Support Learning and School Readiness
- Improves handwriting, focus, and classroom participation.
- Addresses challenges like difficulty sitting still or following instructions.
8) To Foster Play and Exploration
- Encourages meaningful play that aids in cognitive and motor development.
- Helps children explore their environment safely and effectively.
9) To Address Behavioural Challenges
- Identifies underlying issues like sensory overload or difficulty transitioning.
- Provides tools to handle frustration, aggression, or anxiety.
10) To Empower Families
- Offers guidance and strategies for parents to support the child’s progress at home.
- Creates a collaborative plan to meet the child’s goals.
What are the disorders managed in the Occupational Therapy (OT) Department?
Here are some of the disorders managed in our OT unit:
- For children with ADHD, out OT implements interventions that improve focus, organization, and self-control.
- Our approach involves creating structured and engaging activities that promote executive functioning skills such as time management and impulse control.
- We teach practical strategies to improve attention span and optimize classroom and home environments to reduce distractions and foster positive behaviours.
2) Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD):
- Children with ASD often face challenges related to social interaction, communication, and sensory processing.
- Our OT designs personalized, sensory-rich experiences to support sensory modulation and encourage social engagement through play.
3) Anxiety Disorders:
- Children with anxiety disorders may experience overwhelming fears that interfere with their daily routines.
- Calming techniques, sensory integration strategies, and environmental modifications are used to help children develop coping mechanisms.
- We emphasize building self-regulation skills, promoting relaxation through sensory-based activities, and gradually increasing a child’s ability to engage in situations that cause anxiety, always at their own pace.
4) Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD):
- For children struggling with SPD, we create sensory-friendly environments that address their unique sensory needs.
- Through structured sensory integration therapy, we help children process and respond to sensory stimuli in a more regulated manner.
- Our activities are designed to promote sensory awareness and self-soothing techniques, enhancing a child’s ability to engage in everyday activities with comfort and ease.
5) Developmental Delays:
- Children with developmental delays often benefit from early intervention to enhance their physical, cognitive, and social abilities.
- Our therapists focus on improving motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and problem-solving abilities through engaging, age-appropriate activities.
- We provide parent education to continue skill development at home and work collaboratively with families to create a consistent and supportive environment.
6) Trauma-Related Conditions:
- For children who have experienced trauma, we help build a sense of safety and trust.
- We use trauma-informed care practices, incorporating sensory-based calming strategies and supportive routines to reduce anxiety and stress.
- Our goal is to help children process and express their emotions safely, using art, play, and mindfulness techniques to foster emotional healing.
7) Social and Emotional Challenges:
- Children who struggle with social interactions or emotional regulation are guided through social skills groups and individualized therapy sessions.
- We focus on teaching children how to recognize and manage their emotions, build healthy relationships, and resolve conflicts.
- By incorporating role-playing activities and real-world scenarios, we help children practice and master essential social skills.
Setting and Duration
- Individual Therapy: One-on-one sessions tailored to the child’s specific needs. Each session is usually 45 minutes long.
- Home Practice: Activities and exercises for parents to reinforce therapy at home.
Role of Parents and Caregivers
- Active Participation: Engaging in therapy sessions and practicing techniques at home.
- Communication: Regular updates with the occupational therapist to track progress and adjust goals.
- Support: Encouraging and supporting the child’s efforts and progress.
Early Intervention
- Critical for Success: The earlier challenges are identified and addressed with occupational interventions, the better the outcome.
- Reach out: Please feel free to call us if you have any questions regarding your child’s development.
Frequently Asked Questions
At what age can a child begin occupational therapy at Al Soor?
Occupational therapy can begin as early as infancy if developmental concerns are identified. Early intervention is strongly recommended because the brain is most responsive to therapeutic input during the early years. Our OT team evaluates children across a wide age range and designs age-appropriate, evidence-based programs that progress at each child’s own pace. If you have concerns about your child’s development, contacting us for an initial assessment is the best first step.
How do I know if my child needs occupational therapy?
Signs that a child may benefit from occupational therapy include difficulty with fine motor tasks such as holding a pencil or using scissors, trouble with self-care routines like dressing or feeding, sensory sensitivities, poor coordination, challenges following instructions at school, or significant difficulties in social play. Our occupational therapist conducts a structured assessment to identify specific areas of need and design a personalized intervention plan.
How does occupational therapy support children with ADHD or autism?
For children with ADHD, occupational therapy helps build attention, task organization, fine motor control, and daily living skills that improve functioning at home and school. For children with ASD, OT focuses on sensory integration, social participation, and developing the independence skills needed for daily routines. Our therapists use structured, play-based techniques in a child-friendly environment, and maintain close communication with parents to reinforce progress at home.
How many occupational therapy sessions will my child need?
The number of sessions depends on the child’s specific condition, the goals identified during assessment, and how quickly they respond to intervention. Some children make significant progress within a focused block of sessions while others benefit from ongoing therapy over a longer period. Your child’s occupational therapist will discuss a realistic plan after the initial assessment and review goals regularly throughout the program.
Do parents need to attend occupational therapy sessions at Al Soor?
Parental involvement is strongly encouraged and, in many cases, an important part of the therapeutic process. Our occupational therapist guides parents on how to support their child’s progress through specific activities and strategies at home. This home-based reinforcement significantly accelerates the benefits of clinic sessions and helps children apply new skills across all settings of their daily lives.
Take the First Step
If you are concerned about your child’s development, don’t hesitate to contact Al Soor Specialist Clinic’s Occupational Therapy Department.
Our Occupational Therapist is here to provide the support, guidance, and expertise you need to help your child thrive.
Contact us today at +971 6 5512913 to schedule an appointment or learn more about our services. Let us be your partner in helping your child reach their full potential.