A Day in the Life of a Pediatric Occupational Therapist
What It Looks Like to be a Strategic Master of Play
If you’ve ever paused to consider what a pediatric occupational therapist (OT) does in the span of their work day, the answer is simple: they play—with a purpose! Behind every puzzle piece, obstacle course, or messy art project is a carefully designed plan to help children build the skills they need for everyday life.
A typical day for a pediatric OT starts with reviewing the caseload of kiddos and preparing the therapy space. Each session is customized to meet the needs of the child, so no two sessions are exactly the same. However, even the most carefully executed plan might have to be modified, based on a child’s regulation, attention and alertness on any given day. A pediatric therapist must always be ready to pivot! One child might be working on fine motor skills by threading beads or using tweezers to build hand strength. Another might be navigating a sensory obstacle course to improve balance and body awareness. Yet another might be on a swing as their OT pushes them in a linear movement to help regulate their nervous system.
Throughout the day, an OT supports children with a wide range of challenges—developmental delays, sensory processing difficulties, handwriting struggles, feeding issues, and more. The magic of pediatric OT is in how these goals are addressed through play. A simple game of “Simon Says” might be used to improve attention and motor planning, while finger painting might help a child who avoids messy textures build sensory tolerance.
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Communication is a key component as well. OTs regularly talk with parents, fellow therapists, teachers, and other professionals to ensure consistent support across home and school environments. They offer strategies to make daily routines smoother, such as dressing, brushing teeth, tolerating mealtimes, and using the bathroom. Even managing transitions and meltdowns can become more tolerable with the help of an OT.
Documentation is also part of each day; tracking progress, updating goals, and writing reports to measure how a child is developing over time are also a part of an OT’s duties. Given the hands-on nature of little ones, getting notes done during a session can be nearly impossible, meaning a lot of pediatric therapists do end up “taking their work home” in order to ensure that a child’s progress is well documented and up-to-date.
But perhaps the best part of the job? The little victories. When a child zips their coat for the first time, writes their name legibly, stacks a block tower, or tries a new food they used to avoid, the joy is shared by everyone. Pediatric OTs are passionate about helping children become more independent, confident, and capable. Every session is a step toward making daily life easier and more enjoyable—for both the child and their family.
This OT Awareness Month, we’re proud to celebrate the creativity, dedication, and heart that OTs bring to their work each day. We are especially proud of our staff of incredible OTs here at CTC, and encourage you to celebrate them with joy and gratitude!
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