Occupational Therapy (OT) started to be widely used during World War I, when a group of civilian women—teachers, artists, and craftspersons—were called upon to help soldiers recover from the physical and emotional scars of the war. With a combination of therapy techniques and creativity, they helped the soldiers recover, often achieving amazing results.
By World War II, OT had undergone significant change. What began with arts and crafts had transformed into something more practical, more grounded in the everyday tasks that define our lives. This shift established OT as an essential part of modern therapy, ensuring its importance for future generations.
Today, OT is an essential part of early intervention for children with autism, ADHD, Down syndrome, and developmental delays. From learning to tie shoelaces to mastering the complexities of daily life, OT equips children with the skills they need to lead fulfilling, self-sufficient lives.
It’s about more than teaching children how to dress, eat, or write—it’s about giving them the foundation they need to navigate the world with confidence.
Four Key Components of OT
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Sensory Integration Therapy
For children with sensory challenges, the world can be overwhelming, with sounds being louder, touches sharper, and sensations more intense. Sensory integration therapy helps them make sense of these experiences, turning chaos into manageable moments. It’s not always hypersensitivity; sometimes, they feel less than usual, a condition called hyposensitivity.
The therapy involves simple activities like swinging or playing with objects that feel different to the touch, such as rough or soft surfaces. These small actions help children regulate their sensory input, improve focus, and achieve emotional balance.
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Fine Motor Skill Development
Tasks like holding a pencil or buttoning a shirt might seem simple, but for some children, they’re major hurdles. These basic skills are crucial for independence, yet they often feel out of reach. Occupational therapy breaks these tasks down into manageable steps, turning frustration into progress.
Activities like threading beads or cutting with scissors build hand-eye coordination and lay the foundation for school readiness and self-care. Each small victory brings children closer to mastering the essential skills needed for everyday life.
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Visual-Motor Integration Therapy
Imagine trying to write your name, but your hand doesn’t quite match what your eyes see on the page. This is the challenge many children face when their visual-motor integration isn’t fully developed. This skill is essential for tasks like handwriting, drawing, and even tying shoelaces.
Through puzzles, mazes, and tracing exercises, therapists help children connect their vision with their physical movements. It builds confidence in children to approach everyday tasks with ease.
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Self-Care Skills Training
One of the most important milestones of childhood is learning to care for oneself. Tasks like brushing teeth or getting dressed may seem small for neurotypical children, but they are significant steps toward independence for children with special needs.
OT teaches these skills step by step, with repetition and encouragement. As children gain mastery over their routines, the ability to care for themselves fosters a sense of autonomy and accomplishment, making the world feel more manageable and helping them face the day with pride.
How Much OT Your Child Needs
Children begin occupational therapy, the greater the impact. Early intervention taps into the brain's remarkable ability to adapt (aka neuroplasticity), accelerating progress and making it more effective.
The length of therapy depends on the child’s needs.
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Short-term therapy (3 to 6 months): Suitable for mild delays or specific skill development needs.
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Medium-term therapy (6 months to 1 year): Needed for moderate delays.
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Long-term therapy (1 year or more): Required for serious developmental issues or chronic conditions.
How Enara Improves OT
Enara makes OT more accessible and effective, connecting therapy sessions with home practice. Here is how Enara supports OT:
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Personalized Programs: Therapists create tailored plans for each child.
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Interactive Games and Activities: Interactive and animated activities, powered by artificial intelligence and video modeling, along with clear tutorials, make learning simple, fun, and engaging.
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Progress Tracking: Real-time updates help therapists adjust strategies.
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Parent Involvement: Guided tutorials give parents the confidence to support therapy at home.
According to a study, children whose parents participated in therapy showed nearly twice the improvement in key areas—cognitive, language, motor, social, and self-care skills. Children make faster progress when therapy extends beyond the clinic, and parents are motivated to play an active role in their child's success.
Reference:
https://www.myotspot.com/history-of-occupational-therapy/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1558137/
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4951085/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29503546/
