Occupational therapy is a client-centred health profession concerned with promoting health and well-being through occupation. Occupations, refer to the everyday activities that people do as individuals, in families, and with communities to occupy time and bring meaning and purpose to life. Occupations include things people need to, want to, and are expected to do.

The primary goal of occupational therapy is to enable people to participate in their daily occupations or activities.

Occupational therapists complete a university degree at undergraduate or graduate entry Masters level that provides them with a knowledge base in occupational therapy theory and science, neurology, anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, lifespan including child development, sociology, psychology, psychosocial development, activity-task-environment analysis, and therapeutic techniques.


Occupational therapists aim to enable and optimise children’s occupational performance and participation to fulfil their life roles.

Occupational therapists who work with children require specific knowledge and skills in the areas of:

  • Child and adolescent development

  • Occupations of children (schoolwork, play/leisure, self-care, rest/sleep)

  • Child and family centred practice

  • Assessment and outcome measurement

  • Goal setting and occupational therapy process

  • Evidence-based interventions

  • Occupational therapists may work in the child’s home and community including early intervention, educational settings such as schools and universities, hospital and health settings, and in private practice

Collaborative practice

Occupational therapy for children is best provided in the context of collaborative practice with the family, the education and health systems, and with other organisations providing service for children. Occupational therapy can be delivered within different contexts, and can be provided as part of a team or by a single profession. Regardless of the context in which the service is provided, goals for the child and/or family need to be clearly defined and communicated to all team members involved in providing a service to the child and family. Collaboration and joint goal setting will ensure that services are not duplicated, and that all available resources to support the child and family are expended efficiently and effectively.

What do Occupational Therapists do?

Regardless of whether the recipient of occupational therapy is an individual, group, community, or whole society, the focus of occupational therapy is participation in the meaningful occupations of everyday life in the areas of:

  • Self-care: this includes activities such as showering, toileting, dressing, grooming, eating; or activities such as chores, getting a snack for self and others

  • Productivity: Education/school-based occupations, including activities that allow a person to participate as a student in a learning environment. Work – participating in either paid or voluntary work

  • Play and leisure: this includes participating in non-obligatory, discretionary, and intrinsically rewarding activities; pleasure and amusement

  • Social participation: this includes participating in activities with others.

When working with children, occupational therapy practice is person-focussed and family-centred. It may be delivered directly with individuals and groups of individuals, or strategically to communities and on a societal level. Family-centred practice is a set of values, skills, behaviours and knowledge that recognises the family as the experts in the lives of children. It is grounded in respect for the uniqueness of each child and family, and is a commitment to partnering with families.

Reference:

Occupational Therapy Australia 2016, Occupational Therapy Guide to Good Practice: Working with Children

World Federation of Occupational Therapists, 2011