Occupational Therapy (OT) myth busting

This week, we caught up with Jessica, Specialist Children’s Occupational Therapist and Rianne, Children’s Occupational Therapist to bust some myths around children’s Occupational Therapy (OT).

Myth: Children’s OT is just play. 
Fact: Play is the tool—every activity is purposeful and builds real-life skills.  

Myth: OT is only for physical difficulties. 
Fact: Children’s OT supports fine motor coordination, sensory, self-care, and functional skills. We work with kids in mainstream schools and specialist provisions.  

Myth: If a child can do it at home, they don’t need OT. 
Fact: OT looks at how a child functions across environments and their functional abilities may differ between home, school, and their community. 

Myth: OT can address social, emotional, sensory or behaviour difficulties on its own. 
Fact: OTs work with functional skills like washing, dressing, and fine motor skills to name a few. Supporting these functional skills may then positively impact on a child’s social, emotional, sensory and behavioural needs. 

For more information from our children’s Occupational Therapy (OT) team, visit, Physical and sensory – Children and Family Health Devon