Introduction to the Children and Youth Practice Area
AOTA’s Centennial Vision challenges pediatric occupational therapy professionals to provide excellence in service to infants, toddlers, children, and youth and their families in a variety of settings including schools, clinics, and homes. With the new IDEA regulations, occupational therapy practitioners are also participating in broad new initiatives such as early intervening services and response-to-intervention.
Additional emerging areas of pediatric practice include consultation in technology, wellness promotion, and greater involvement in the rising population of children with mental health disorders such as depression and autism spectrum disorders.
Pediatric occupational therapy practitioners continue to promote function and engagement in meaningful occupations, remediate disability, provide support to families, and collaborate with other disciplines such as special educators, teachers, and medical personnel.
The resources in this section provide information to the practitioner meeting the needs of the more than 6 million children and youth with disabilities in this country.