OT Process & Evaluation In Pediatrics/Pediatric Care Settings

What is a strength based approach?

• An OT practitioner focuses on identifying and building upon the child’s abilities and individuality versus focusing on their limitations or disabilities 

• Shift focus to child;s existing abilities, interests and resources to promote participation and empower the child to build additional skills and occupational engagement 

• View the client as capable and resilient.

What are the OT process steps in pediatrics

Referral → Evaluation → Intervention plan → Implementation → Measure Outcomes 

• Screening in between Referral and Evaluation

• Loop from measure outcomes back to referral (cycle)

What are the different pediatric practice settings that OTs work in? Acute Care (General Pediatircs)

• Medical/surgical 

• Consult with more special care 

• Acute illness, surgical procedures, injuries, infections, acute exacerbation of chronic illnesses.

What are the different pediatric practice settings that OTs work in? - Acute Care (PICU)

• Intensive monitoring 

• Ventilation 

• Intravenous lines 

• More specialized healthcare team

What are the different pediatric practice settings that OTs work in? - Acute Care (NICU)

• Level I (Well-Baby Nursery): 

  • Basic care for healthy full-term newborns 

  • Capabilities: Resuscitation at delivery, stabilization for transfer

• Level II (Special Care Nursery) 

  • Care for moderately ill or premature babies (e.g., 32+ weeks) needing limited support 

  • Capabilities: Respiratory Suppotr, IVs, Feeding support

• Level III (Neonatal Intensive Care) 

  • Critical care for very sick or extremely premature infants (before 32 weeks)

  • Mechanical ventilation and minor surgical procedures.

• Level IV (regional perinatal/advanced NICU) 

  • Care: Highest level, for most complex and critically ill newborns 

  • Capabilities: All level III functions puls on side pediatric surgical specialists, ECMO, heart surgery, advanced imaging (MRI)

What are the different pediatric practice settings that OTs work in? Acute Care (Oncology)

• Long hospital stays 

• Neutropenia (low neutrophils, key while blood cells fighting bacterial infections, making body vulnerable to severe illness)

What are the different pediatric practice settings that OTs work in? - Acute Care (Burn Unit)

• Splinting

• Positioning 

• Return to function/Meaningful participation 

• Can also have long hospital stays

What are the different pediatric practice settings that OTs work in? Others

• Inpatient rehab

• Inpatient Psych unit 

• Outpatient: 

  • Hospital-based 

  • Private clinic 

• Home health care 

• Early intervention 

• Schools 

• Telehealth 

• Palliative Care