Welcome to
Together is a new resource for anyone affected by pediatric cancer - patients and their parents, family members, and friends.
Learn MoreThroughout cancer treatment and recovery, it is important for children to remain as independent and safe as possible in daily tasks. Occupational therapy (OT) can help patients meet developmental milestones, including age-appropriate self-care skills and activities of daily living.
Occupational therapists are health care providers who specialize in helping patients do the tasks of daily life. Some children may need special equipment or adaptive devices for everyday activities.
Cancer can make it hard for children to develop and maintain self-care skills. However, there are ways to help children be more independent, even when facing medical challenges.
Here are some ways to support activities of daily living during childhood cancer:
Child-friendly utensils, plates, bowls, and cups can help children eat and drink more easily.
If a child has problems with chewing or swallowing, a speech-language pathologist (SLP) may be able to help.
Learn more about toileting routines from the American Occupational Therapy Association.
Sitting down while dressing or undressing can help if children tire quickly or have balance concerns.
Independence is a normal part of childhood. Learning to do things for themselves is important for children’s physical, social, and mental health. The jobs of childhood include self-care, learning, and play. Occupational therapy can help patients be more independent in these tasks.
Let children help in activities like cooking, cleaning, or shopping.
Learn About Occupational Therapy for Children & Youth | AOTA
Functional Skills for Kids Series by OT and PT Bloggers | The OT Toolbox
Ways to Encourage Self-Help Skills in Children | eXtension Alliance for Better Child Care
When hands need help | St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
Self care Development Chart | Kid Sense Child Development
—
Reviewed: July 2020