Many of the children who come to the VIP Community Mental Health Center for services struggle with social interaction and carrying out activities of daily living - doing chores, finishing homework, getting ready for bed.
Interacting with others helps children build relationships and gain social support which can enhance mental health. And mastering daily living activities gives children a sense of self-efficacy and may make it easier for them to adjust to new schools or home environments.
The pediatric occupational therapists at VIP engage children in meaningful and purposeful activities, or occupations like playing, doing homework, going to school, forming relationships, that help them develop their sensory, motor, social, self-help, and cognitive skills and their sensory and emotional regulation.
How do they do this?
- By engaging children in "play occupations"
- By practicing daily living activities with the child
- By uncovering and addressing the underlying problems that make daily activities difficult
- By collaborating with caregivers and parents to come up with strategies for success at home
