Occupational Therapy

Occupational Therapists (OTs) are here to empower children and young people to develop and maintain healthy independence in daily activities important to them, despite having an illness. For example, Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) or Chronic Pain.

This may involve adapting play, getting the support you need from education, exploring ways to keep you active, developing life skills and general independence and making sure you are getting out and about with your friends - after all, these are the main occupations of young people.

Occupational therapists can offer specific advice on:

• Increasing energy levels through pacing
• Goal setting to get you back to being active and doing the things you enjoy
• How school can support you
• Returning to school after a period of absence
• Handwriting and fine motor skills
• Hand and wrist strengthening
• Improving sleep
• Relaxation / mindfulness to aid sleep
• Journaling to help vent and process strong feelings/emotions
• Independence in self-care
• Independence with domestic tasks, for example cooking
• Improving posture

You can find out more about occupational therapy for children with JIA on the Children’s Arthritis Association (CCAA) website using the link below.

• Children's Arthritis Association