OTA 237 : Developmental/Pediatric OT Practice
Human development and the occupational therapy process in the treatment of developmental concerns are the foundational concepts of this course. Normal development of the infant and child is explored within the context of environmental, community, social, and cultural influences and is compared with delayed development. Students learn pediatric practice skills to address sensorimotor, cognitive, and psychosocial performance. The lab component incorporates theoretical principles and provides opportunities to develop assessment, intervention planning and implementation, and documentation skills. Students demonstrate adaptation of the environment, tools, materials, and occupations to meet the needs of the pediatric population. Prerequisites: OTA 111, OTA 117, OTA 121, OTA 125, and OTA 127. Three lecture and two laboratory hours per week. Instructional Support Fee applies.
Course Outcomes
1. Describe the Occupational Therapy Practice Framework and its relationship to pediatric practice by explaining how performance skills, performance patterns,
contexts, and environments influence the child’s performance in selected areas of occupation. (B.3.2)
2. Describe major frames of reference and how they guide pediatric OT practice. (B.3.2, B2.1)
3. Describe the benefits of using a family centered approach. (B.1.1)
4. Identify the areas of pediatric occupational therapy practice from a lifespan perspective including neonates, intervention, and school practice and through adults
with developmental disabilities. (B.1.1)
5 .Define the fundamentals of normal development related to major milestones and developmental stages and applies to children with special needs. (B.1.1)
6. Apply an understanding of normal development to children with special needs and/or atypical development to treatment that enhances performance skills and
patterns. (B.1.1, B.4.2)
7. Define client factors necessary for postural development, fine and gross motor skills, perception, augmentative communication, handwriting, mobility, sensory
integration, feeding and oral motor skills, self-care and adaptations for independent living. (B.1.1, B.4.16)
8. Define the differences between educational and medical models. (B.2.1)
9. Describe the role of the COTA with pediatric and developmentally disabled diagnoses and the importance of incorporating age-appropriate activities into
treatment. (B.4.24 and B.4.0)
10. Describe therapeutic activities used to address problems related to ADLs & IADLs. (B.4.19)
11. Select appropriate occupational therapy tools/methods for analyzing, grading, and adapting ADLs and IADLs. (B.4.9, B.4.16)
12. Identify assistive technology and compensation strategies used in pediatric rehabilitation and developmental readiness for prosthetic care. (B.4.12)
13. Identify effective ways to interact with parents, caregivers, clients, teachers etc. in a professional way through written, and electronic communications. (B.4.23)
14. Describe home and school modifications, accommodations, and/or strategies, including the role of the OTA in the consultative process to encourage success
in the classroom & at home including but not limited to computer keyboard intervention, postural control and positioning, sensory diet and adaptive equipment.
(B.4.19, B.4.9)
15. Explain how gender, age, race, socioeconomic and/or culture impact on intervention planning. (B.1.2)
16. Under the direction of an occupational therapist determine tools/methods that are appropriate for assessment/intervention related to specific pediatric
diagnosis including but not limited to: cerebral palsy, intellectual disabilities, sensory processing disorders, and other common pediatric conditions/disorders.
(B.4.4, B.4.16)
17 .Demonstrate oral presentation skills via individual and/or group presentations. (B.4.23)
18. Utilize professional literature, internet search engines, and/or databases to research topic(s) supporting clinical reasoning for the development of the
assigned pediatric case study and respective in-class presentation. (B.4.23.)
19.Incorporate evidenced based practice used in research for the assigned pediatric case study class presentation defining how it impacts intervention outcomes.
(B.4.23, B.6.3)