What is the difference between Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy for children?

Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy (OT) are both important forms of therapy for children with a variety of physical, developmental, or cognitive challenges. While there is some overlap in their goals, they differ in their primary focus and areas of expertise. 

Physiotherapy focuses on movement of the body.

Occupational Therapy (OT) focuses on activities of daily living

Physiotherapy primarily focuses on improving a child's gross motor skills and movement patterns. This may include helping a child learn to roll, sit up, crawl, stand, or walk, or helping them improve their strength, balance, and coordination. Physiotherapy may also address pain management, postural control, and range of motion. Physiotherapy can also help after sporting injuries and various surgeries to help children get back to using there body well.

Occupational therapy, on the other hand, focuses on developing a child's fine motor skills, cognitive skills, sensory processing, and self-care abilities. Occupational therapy may help children with tasks like handwriting, buttoning clothes, tying shoelaces, toileting or eating, and also help children with cognitive or behavioural challenges learn strategies to manage their emotions or behaviour.

Both therapies are essential for children who may be experiencing developmental delays or physical challenges and can work together to support the child's overall well-being.

Contact us if you would like to discuss how home-visit physiotherapy can benefit your child.

Our friends at Mobile Child Therapy have Occupational Therapists that cover most areas of Sydney. Reach out to them to book in with an OT