How to Be Pediatric Occupational Therapist - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Oct 30, 2020 / 5 Minutes Read / By Albert

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Pediatric occupational therapists specialize in helping children with physical, mental, behavioral, and development disabilities. By using purposeful activities to improve physical, cognitive, and motor development, occupational therapists help children with various conditions achieve greater success and satisfaction in their daily lives. Through the implementation of therapeutic activities, these professionals can help children increase their strength and coordination, improve hand-eye coordination, enhance their ability to learn new skills, develop social skills, and increase their overall independence. This in turn can help them overcome many of the obstacles they are facing, leading to a better quality of life for both the child and their family.

Steps How to Become

Earn a Bachelors Degree. The first step to becoming a pediatric occupational therapist is to earn a bachelors degree in occupational therapy. Courses in anatomy, physiology, psychology, and kinesiology are important to learn the basics of the profession.
Complete an Accredited Occupational Therapy Program. After earning your bachelors degree, you must complete an accredited occupational therapy program. This usually takes two to three years and includes both classroom and clinical instruction.
Obtain Licensure. In order to practice as a pediatric occupational therapist, you must obtain licensure from your state. This typically requires passing an exam as well as completing additional coursework and/or clinical experience.
Gain Experience. To become a pediatric occupational therapist, you must have experience working with children. This can be gained through volunteer work, internships, or shadowing other occupational therapists.
Obtain Certification. Once you have the necessary experience and licensure, you can obtain certification in pediatric occupational therapy. This will demonstrate your commitment to the profession and help you stand out when seeking employment.

Being an up to date and capable pediatric occupational therapist requires ongoing education and training. Taking courses and attending conferences can help therapists stay informed of the ever-changing research, theories, and treatments that are being used in the field. Keeping abreast of the latest technologies and technologies related to occupational therapy can also help therapists stay proficient.

networking with other professionals in the field can provide opportunities to learn from peers and gain insight into best practices in occupational therapy. By staying informed and staying current with the most recent advancements, pediatric occupational therapists can ensure they are providing the best possible care to their patients.

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Job Description

Develop and implement individualized treatment plans based on clients rehabilitative needs and goals.
Assess clients abilities, limitations, and challenges to develop therapeutic strategies.
Provide appropriate therapeutic interventions to improve clients physical, cognitive, emotional, and sensory skills.
Monitor progress and adjust treatment plans as needed.
Track and document clinical notes and progress reports.
Educate parents and caregivers on therapeutic strategies to be used at home.
Collaborate with other medical professionals to ensure comprehensive care for clients.
Develop and implement group therapy sessions for children with similar disorders.
Assist in the development of adaptive equipment and devices to increase independence.
Provide support to families in managing changes in lifestyle due to a childs disability.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Knowledge of normal and abnormal development in infants and children.
Ability to assess physical, mental, and emotional functions in infants and children.
Understanding of play and leisure activities, and their role in promoting development.
Ability to recognize when a child is not meeting developmental milestones and to design appropriate intervention strategies.
Knowledge of the physical, cognitive, and social implications of various medical conditions, such as cerebral palsy, autism, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Skill in providing physical therapy interventions, including positioning and therapeutic exercises.
Ability to design and implement sensory integration activities.
Experience with adaptive equipment and assistive technologies for children with disabilities.
Ability to collaborate with other professionals, such as speech-language pathologists, to provide comprehensive care for clients.
Ability to effectively communicate with parents and other family members about their child's progress and needs.

Pediatric Occupational Therapists play a vital role in the development and wellbeing of children. A key skill they must possess is the ability to understand and communicate effectively with children. This skill is essential in order to relate to them, build a trusting relationship, and identify their needs.

Furthermore, occupational therapists must be able to assess a child's cognitive, physical, and emotional abilities, so they can provide tailored interventions that promote their development. Being able to assess the child's environment, such as their home and school, is also important in order to ensure they are getting the most out of their therapy. Finally, having a sound knowledge of the latest evidence-based practices and being able to apply them in an ethical and professional manner is essential for successful outcomes.

All these skills combined will help Pediatric Occupational Therapists provide the highest level of care for the children they work with.

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Frequent Interview Questions

What motivated you to become a Pediatric Occupational Therapist?
What experience do you have working with children with special needs?
How do you ensure your treatment plans are tailored to meet the individual needs of the client?
What strategies do you use to help children with motor skill development?
How do you create a positive therapeutic environment for children?
Describe a time when you had to adapt your approach to meet the needs of a challenging client.
What techniques do you use to motivate children in therapy sessions?
How do you handle conflicts between parent and child during a session?
What methods do you use to measure the progress of a client?
How do you integrate physical, cognitive, and social activities into your therapy plans?

Common Tools in Industry

Adaptive Utensils. Utensils designed to help children with manual dexterity difficulties to hold and manipulate utensils more easily. (eg: Adaptive Spoon with built-in adaptive grip)
Sensory Integration Tools. Toys and tools designed to help children with sensory processing disorder become more aware of their body and environment. (eg: Weighted Vest, Chewy Tube)
Visual Aids. Tools and materials to help children with visual impairments or processing difficulties understand instructions and participate in activities. (eg: Picture Schedule, Tactile Pictures)
Motor Planning Tools. Tools to help children with motor planning difficulties plan and sequence activities. (eg: Motor Planner Board, Task Analysis Cards)
Assistive Technology. Devices that provide physical, cognitive, or communication support to help children with disabilities participate in activities. (eg: Speech Generating Device, Adaptive Switch)

Professional Organizations to Know

American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA)
National Association of Pediatric Occupational Therapists (NAPOT)
World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT)
Special Interest Group for Occupational Therapy in Pediatrics (SIGOTP)
American Society of Hand Therapists (ASHT)
International Association of Hand Therapists (IAHT)
American Physical Therapy Association (APTA)
Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists (CAOT)
International Federation of Orthopaedic Manipulative Physical Therapists (IFOMPT)
International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP)

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Common Important Terms

Sensory Integration. A therapeutic approach used to help children with difficulties in processing sensory information from their environment.
Sensory Processing Disorder. A condition in which sensory information is not correctly interpreted by the brain, leading to challenges with behavior and/or development.
Fine Motor Skills. The ability to use the small muscles of the hands, wrists and fingers to perform tasks such as writing, drawing, and manipulating small objects.
Gross Motor Skills. The ability to use the large muscles of the body, such as those needed for walking, running and jumping.
Motor Planning. The ability to plan and execute a motor task.
Cognitive Development. The development of mental processes such as memory, language, problem-solving, and reasoning.
Play Therapy. A therapeutic approach in which play is used as a tool for helping children learn, cope, and grow.
Adaptive Skills. The development of skills needed for activities of daily living such as self-care, communication, and social interaction.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Pediatric Occupational Therapist?

A Pediatric Occupational Therapist is a healthcare professional who specializes in providing therapy to children with physical, developmental, social, and emotional challenges.

What age range can Pediatric Occupational Therapists work with?

Pediatric Occupational Therapists typically work with children from birth up to age 18.

What type of activities do Pediatric Occupational Therapists provide?

Pediatric Occupational Therapists provide activities to improve physical, cognitive, social, and emotional skills such as fine motor skills, handwriting, self-care skills, play skills, and more.

How often do pediatric Occupational Therapists see their patients?

The frequency of visits varies depending on the individual patient and their needs. However, most therapies are provided on a weekly or bi-weekly basis.

What type of qualifications does a Pediatric Occupational Therapist need?

Pediatric Occupational Therapists must have a minimum of a masters degree in occupational therapy and be licensed by the state in which they practice. They may also be certified by the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA).