Occupational Therapy (OT)
Occupational therapy (OT) helps individuals develop, improve, or maintain the skills needed for daily life. For children, OT focuses on supporting participation in everyday activities such as play, learning, self-care, and routines.
The goal of occupational therapy is to help individuals function as independently and comfortably as possible in their home, school, and community environments.
What Is Occupational Therapy?
Occupational therapy is provided by a licensed Occupational Therapist (OT) and focuses on how a person’s body, senses, environment, and routines work together to support daily functioning.
For children, OT often addresses:
- How they interact with their environment
- How they regulate their bodies and emotions
- How they complete everyday tasks
OT is highly individualized and goal-driven. Therapy plans are based on the child’s needs, strengths, and daily routines.
What Skills Can Occupational Therapy Address?
Occupational therapy may focus on:
- Fine motor skills (hand strength, grasp, writing, cutting)
- Sensory processing and regulation
- Self-care skills (dressing, feeding, toileting, hygiene)
- Visual-motor and visual-perceptual skills
- Attention and task engagement
- Emotional regulation and coping
- Play skills
- Adaptive skills needed for school and daily routines
Goals are practical and functional, helping children participate more fully in everyday life.
Who May Benefit From Occupational Therapy?
Occupational therapy may be recommended for individuals who:
- Have developmental delays
- Struggle with sensory processing or regulation
- Have difficulty with fine motor or self-care skills
- Experience challenges with attention, transitions, or routines
- Have diagnoses such as autism, ADHD, cerebral palsy, genetic conditions, or developmental disabilities
- Have functional challenges following illness or injury
OT services are based on functional need, not diagnosis alone.
Where Is Occupational Therapy Provided?
Occupational therapy can be delivered in a variety of settings, including:
- Outpatient therapy clinics
- In-home therapy
- EIDT or center-based programs
- School-based services
- Medical or rehabilitation settings
The setting chosen often depends on the child’s needs, tolerance for environments, and family schedule.
Who Provides Occupational Therapy?
Occupational therapy is provided by a licensed Occupational Therapist (OT). In some settings, therapy sessions may also involve Occupational Therapy Assistants (OTAs) working under the supervision of the OT.
The OT is responsible for:
- Evaluations
- Treatment planning
- Monitoring progress
- Adjusting goals and strategies over time
Occupational Therapy Funding & Coverage in Arkansas
Occupational therapy may be covered through:
- Medicaid, including TEFRA when applicable
- Private insurance
- ARKids
- School-based services, when OT supports educational access
Coverage depends on medical necessity, service setting, and payer requirements.
Many children receive OT services through more than one system at the same time, such as school-based OT combined with outpatient or in-home therapy.
Explore therapy funding options in Arkansas
Learn about Medicaid, TEFRA, ARKids, ARHIPP, waivers, and private insurance.
Important Distinction: Medical vs. School-Based OT
It’s helpful for families to understand the difference between:
- Medical occupational therapy, which focuses on daily functioning across home and community environments
- School-based occupational therapy, which focuses on skills needed to access and participate in education
Both may be appropriate depending on the child’s needs, and one does not replace the other.
Is Occupational Therapy Right for Every Child?
Occupational therapy can be helpful for many children, but the goals, frequency, and setting should be individualized based on:
- Functional challenges
- Sensory and regulation needs
- Attention and learning style
- Family routines and capacity
- Availability of services in the community
OT is often most effective when strategies are carried over into daily routines at home and school.
Want to Learn More?
Understanding where occupational therapy is delivered can help families choose what fits best.
You can explore different occupational therapy settings here:
- Outpatient occupational therapy
- In-home occupational therapy
- Occupational therapy within EIDT programs
- School-based occupational therapy