Children & Youth

AOTA’s Centennial Vision challenges pediatric occupational therapy practitioners 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.

We hope the resources below will help you in your practice. If you have additional questions, try posting them on OTConnections, a community for occupational therapy practitioners just like you. If you are an AOTA member, you are already signed up with OTConnections! Just use your member login and password for the AOTA Web site to access OTConnections.

Learn About Pediatric Workgroups 

What's New:

• National radio show focuses on OT in schools
• New! Establishing Mealtime Routines for Children - pdf
• New! Living with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) – Supporting a Smooth Transition to Preschool - pdf
• New! Autism-Related Wandering Fact Sheet for Occupational Therapy - pdf
• Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
• AOTA Practice Advisory on the Primary Provider Approach in Early Intervention 
• AOTA Response to the RRPC Document 
• FAQ: What is the Role of Occupational Therapy in Supporting Employment of Young Adults with Disabilities? 
  

Explore Children and Youth Topics

• Childhood Obesity

Explore Children & Youth Topics

• Autism Resources
• Early Intervention - Early Childhood
• Mental Health
• Play
• School-based Practice
• Sensory Integration
• Transitions
• Youth Transportation

Fact Sheets: The Role of OT

Designed for practitioners and other professionals to explain the role and scope of occupational therapy. Find our fact sheets here.

Other Resources

Find apps for Children & Youth here. Check out what we've identified as emerging niches in the Children & Youth practice area. 

Tips for Living

Brief Tip Sheets to help people cope with a variety of health conditions and explain how occupational therapy can help. Find our tips sheets here.

AOTA Official Documents

Informative documents on the role and scope of occupational therapy services. Get AOTA's Official Documents here. 

Evidence-Based Practice

Find evidence-based practice info and the latest research to guide your practice.

Special Interest Sections

Network and collaborate with colleagues in your field and areas of interest, from SIS Quarterly newsletters to forums on OTConnections: Early Intervention & School, Sensory Integration, and Developmental Disabilities.