Occupational Therapy in Preschool and Early Intervention

For my final research report I decided to do my research on occupational therapy in preschool and early intervention. The purpose of my research is to discover what an occupational therapist in a preschool and early intervention setting does on a daily basis. I believe young children need the most assistance before they enter elementary school. Children start to become their own person when they are young. If they are not taught to succeed at an early age then they might not be able to succeed when they get older. Also, if a young child has a disability and cannot do the same activities as their peers it can set them up for insecurity and feeling left out. If a child can get help with their disabilities when they are young, they will be more likely to be able to either be at the same level or almost be at the same level as their peers. If a child starts therapy at a young age they will hopefully not be behind when they enter school. On the other hand, if a child starts therapy when they are in elementary school or higher they will most likely be a lot more behind because they have been trying to get at the same level as their peers their entire educational career.

The characteristics that most occupational therapist needs to work on with children on in early intervention and preschool settings are very different depending on the child’s disability. Some of the main aspects occupational therapists try to help young children with are motor control, sensory modulation, adaptive coping, sensorimotor development, social-environment development, and daily living skills. The child’s disability and what the child is have troubles with in education and everyday life determines what the occupational therapist needs to work with the child o...

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...in preschool and early intervention have the most normal life, be as independent as they can, and be at the same level as all of their peers and classmates. Watching my little brother with Down syndrome grow up and shadowing an occupational therapist in a preschool really shaped me into wanting to be an occupational therapist for young children. If my little brother did not have therapy when he was a child he would not be able to do most of the things he is able to do today. He can bathe himself, dress himself, and prepare his own food everyday now. If he did not have a therapist who helped him do these everyday life skills he most likely would not be able to do them to this day. I want to be able to help kids like my little brother, or like the kids I observed at the preschool be able to do whatever they want in life and not let their disabilities stop them.