Department of Occupational Therapy
What is Occupational Therapy
Pediatric occupational therapy is the specialty involved in the field of health, namely prevention, intervention and rehabilitation, of infants and adolescents, with developmental disorders (such as autism spectrum disorder, hyperactivity disorder and attention deficit disorder), with mental deprivation or kinetic difficulties, sensory dysfunctions, learning difficulties, grammar disorders as well as behavioral disorders. It utilizes creative kinetic skill, imagination and ideation, in play and activities, in order to improve and develop the child's skills at the highest possible operational level.
Where does occupational therapy intervene?
Gross motor skills: includes, inter alia, pleating, static control, equilibrium, bilateral knee resonance, and midline passage.
Fine motor skills: development of skills necessary for writing, visual-kinetic coordination.
Neuromuscular development: reflexes, muscle tone - strength, stasis control.
Αισθητικοκινητικός τομέας.
- Sensory regulation: Vestibular, ideal, visual, tactile, acoustic, tasting system.
- Sensory processing:, perception - body shape, stereophysics, orientation in space, perception of error, etc.
Act: Legend, imitation, succession, planning, execution.
Self-care and day-to-day activities: dressing-down, eating-out, fitness-ball training, self-care.
Cognitive Skills-Estimation: organization, memory, concentration and attention, imitation skills and competences development visual and acoustic perception, orientation in space and time.
Social Skills: Interactive Skills, Vocal Contact, Social Rules, etc.
Where is occupational therapy helpful?
- Autistic spectrum disorders
- Mental retardation
- Cerebral palsy
- Syndromes
- ADHD
- Sensory integration disorder
- Gross-fine motor skills dysfunctions and writing movement dysfunctions.
- Learning disabilities
The occupational therapist evaluates the child's abilities as well as the needs of the child and plays a major role in the child's education and development skills in order to achieve the optimal level of functionality and autonomy.
WHAT METHODS ARE USED IN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY?
- Sensory Integration is the "organization of the senses (vision, hearing, taste, smell, balance, gravity, position and mobility) for their best use" according to A. Jean Ayres phd.
- The TEACCH Method "Treatment and Education of Children with Autism and Communication Disorders": This is a "clearly" structured education program using visualized coding, visual coding (colors, labels) and organization of space (play area, rest area, etc.). of objects. It helps your child learn, function and focus on important information.