Celebrating National Occupational Therapy Month

National Occupational Therapy Month has been observed in the United States every April since 1917. While the American Occupational Therapy Association  (AOTA) continues to provide awareness in the time of COVID-19, they have also created additional online resources and webinars this year.

Occupational Therapy is an important course of treatment for people of all ages. It creates individual, specialized support to improve the lives of those with disabilities or recovering from accidents.

What is Occupational Therapy?

Just as Physical Therapy helps patients regain their physical mobility, Occupational Therapy (OT) helps patients develop their physical and cognitive functions to better perform daily activities (or occupations). OT enables people of all ages to live a fuller life and helps them live better with–or prevent –injuries, illness, or disabilities.

Pediatric Occupational Therapy

Many occupational therapy sessions involve helping children with disabilities become more involved in school or better develop their social skills. At MMI, we have therapies and services available to help parents address conditions in infants, toddlers, and school-age children. We can help improve everyday functions from children with movement disorders (such as Cerebral Palsy, Muscular Dystrophy, or Spina Bifida) or developmental issues (such as ADHD, Down’s Syndrome, or Autism Spectrum Disorder).

Our experienced therapists work with each child on a unique course of treatment with an emphasis on fun and play. Benefits of the treatment include:

• Improved coordination and motor skills
• Neuro-Developmental Re-Education
• Improved balance and posture control
• Increased strengthening, range of motion, and endurance
• Enhanced sensory integration

Working on these skills gives a child the chance to improve their independence–both now and later in life. If you believe your child could benefit from occupational therapy, contact us today to learn more.