--- title: What is occupational therapy? description: What is occupational therapy? Find out how OT works and how kids and adults can get this treatment. slug: occupational-therapy-what-you-need-to-know author: Gail Belsky reviewer: Keri Wilmot published: '2019-08-05T15:43:52.101Z' thumbnail: https://cdn-images.understood.org/p0qf7j048i0q/4paa8UTfq2latMjFoKIwYH/7e519984aa5d3ee24150608787f43b42/G1270618849.png source_url: https://www.understood.org/en/articles/occupational-therapy-what-you-need-to-know lang: en --- # What is occupational therapy? Occupational therapy (OT) is a treatment for problems with movement and coordination. It helps people improve the motor skills involved in everyday tasks, like writing and getting dressed. These skills include fine and gross motor skills and motor planning. Therapists also work on coordination, balance, and self-regulation skills. Kids can get OT for free at school. But adults have to find a therapist who works privately. (Doctors can often recommend private occupational therapists). Insurance may or may not cover OT. The need for OT can come up at any age and for a wide range of reasons. But there are lifelong conditions that impact motor skills starting in early childhood. One of them is developmental coordination disorder (DCD). While adults with DCD may benefit from OT, it’s most effective with kids. And the earlier OT starts, the better. ## How does OT work? OT is tailored for each person’s needs. Therapists start by looking at strengths and challenges. Then they create a program of exercises and activities that focus on the motor skills that need improving. For example, activities to build fine motor skills might include picking things up with tweezers. Exercises to improve gross motor skills might include jumping jacks or running an obstacle course. For someone who struggles with motor planning, therapists might work on daily routines like getting dressed. They help people learn the initial steps and the sequence of tasks that follow. Many kids who need OT get it for free at school. This service is usually part of a special education plan. OT can happen one-on-one or in small groups. Learn more about: - [Fine motor skills](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/all-about-fine-motor-skills) - [Gross motor skills](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/all-about-gross-motor-skills) - [Motor planning](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/motor-planning-what-you-need-to-know) ## How can OT help kids? For kids, therapy at school might focus on school-related tasks like writing. Private OT might focus more on [self-care routines](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/2-minute-tutorial-self-care-routines-for-kids-with-motor-skills-issues).  In either case, being able to do basic tasks can help build up kids’ confidence, which can drop when they are struggling. When kids see improvement it can boost their self-esteem.  Learn about some of the [ways occupational therapists work with kids](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/occupational-therapy-motor-skills-help). ## Getting occupational therapy at school Some kids may qualify for free OT services at school. That usually happens through a special education plan called an IEP. Students go through an evaluation process that’s also free. The evaluation looks at strengths and challenges in many areas. Occupational therapists do the part that looks at motor skills. Parents can request an evaluation for their child at any time. Learn [how to request an evaluation](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/learning-about-evaluations). Watch an occupational therapist describe [the OT evaluation process](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/ot-evaluation). --- ## Explore related topics and articles - [Treatment for kids with developmental coordination disorder](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/treatment-for-kids-with-developmental-coordination-disorder) - - There are a number of ways specialists can help kids with DCD. - Occupational therapy and physical therapy are key treatments for kids with DCD. - There are no medications to treat DCD. Whether you suspect that your child has developmental coordination disorder \(DCD\) or you know for sure, its - [What are fine motor skills?](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/all-about-fine-motor-skills) - - Fine motor skills are the ability to make movements using the small muscles in our hands and wrists. - People use fine motor skills to do many school- and work-related tasks. - There are things you can do at home to help improve fine motor skills. Fine motor skills are the ability to make mo - [How occupational therapists help kids who struggle with motor skills](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/occupational-therapy-motor-skills-help) - Handwriting, cutting with scissors, and tying shoes are common tasks that occupational therapists \(OTs\) work on with kids. Learn more about the strategies OTs use to help kids build motor skills. --- ```json [{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.understood.org/en/articles/occupational-therapy-what-you-need-to-know#webpage","url":"https://www.understood.org/en/articles/occupational-therapy-what-you-need-to-know","description":"What is occupational therapy? Find out how OT works and how kids and adults can get this treatment."},{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"item":{"@id":"https://www.understood.org/en/articles/occupational-therapy-what-you-need-to-know","name":"What is occupational therapy?"}}]},{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"Article","datePublished":"2019-08-05T15:43:52.101Z","description":"What is occupational therapy? Find out how OT works and how kids and adults can get this treatment.","headline":"What is occupational therapy?","url":"https://www.understood.org/en/articles/occupational-therapy-what-you-need-to-know","publisher":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https://www.understood.org/#organization","name":"Understood for All Inc","logo":"https://cdn-images.understood.org/p0qf7j048i0q/307jFAYQevghG8nQMCjh89/ccdbbec895765824db43f6d30b496e83/logo_lockup_navy.jpg"}}] ```