Occupational therapists use a variety of assessment and treatment techniques in order to help children improve their fine motor skills, strength and dexterity, coordination, visual-motor skills, social skills, handwriting, sensory-processing, and feeding skills. Many occupational therapists are also specially trained in sensory integration (SI) treatment techniques. Physicians may recommend occupational therapy for children diagnosed with:

• Sensory processing disorder
• Learning disabilities
• Autism
• Pervasive developmental disorder (PDD)
• Feeding disorders
• Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis
• Cerebral palsy
• Hypotonia
• Arthrogryposis