Editing Occupational therapist (section)

===Pediatric practice===
Pediatric occupational therapists support their communities by providing services to infants, toddlers, children, youth, and their families across a variety of settings that might include schools, clinics, and homes. They do this by implementing intervention that is driven by science and backed by evidence.  A child's life is made up of "occupations".  These "occupations", or daily activities, include play, learning, and socializing. The role of the pediatric occupational therapist is to support the child in any environment in which the child is not able to carry out the desired occupations.  The most common areas of practice for a pediatric occupational therapist include: [[neonatal intensive care unit]]s (NICU), early intervention, schools, and outpatient services. Areas of emerging practice include primary care and community-based.{{cn|date=June 2024}}

==== Neonatal intensive care units (NICU) ====
From the beginning of life, occupational therapists might work with infants who are medically fragile in NICU of medical centers. An occupational therapist might address areas such as feeding/nutrition, positioning, development, sensory processing and integration, and sleep.{{cn|date=June 2024}}

==== Early intervention ====
An occupational therapist may work with children in early intervention, from birth to three years old. The role of the occupational therapist is to support the child's needs by collaborating with the caregivers/parents. The goal of the occupational therapist in early intervention is to support the achievement of developmental milestones. They do this by providing intervention and education in the context of play and daily living. Therapeutic intervention may include feeding/nutrition, physical development, play skill development, social/emotional development. In early intervention, a strong emphasis is placed on parent/caregiver education. The reason Occupational Therapists are vital to the NICU, is due to the vulnerability of premature infants.<ref name=Ross2017>{{cite journal | vauthors = Ross K, Heiny E, Conner S, Spener P, Pineda R | title = Occupational therapy, physical therapy and speech-language pathology in the neonatal intensive care unit: Patterns of therapy usage in a level IV NICU | journal = Research in Developmental Disabilities | volume = 64 | pages = 108–117 | date = May 2017 | pmid = 28384484 | pmc = 5484726 | doi = 10.1016/j.ridd.2017.03.009 }}</ref> NICU-based therapists teach the skills the infant needs to live optimally.<ref name=Ross2017/> However, they do this while simultaneously understanding the medical interventions occurring, and how these medical needs need to be worked around during a therapy session.<ref name=Ross2017/> Infants who received more therapy displayed better neurological behaviors.<ref name=Ross2017/> Occupational Therapists mainly focus on positioning the child, including equipment and how to promote optimal development.<ref name=Ross2017/>

==== Schools ====
Once a child is over the age of three and meets eligibility for special education services, the child may receive occupational therapy services through an [[Individualized Education Program]] (IEP). In the school setting, the goal of occupational therapy is to support the implementation of the IEP. The occupational therapist might do this by providing direct or indirect services.  Direct services might include individual or group services.  Indirect services might include consultation with their school team, creating modifications and/or accommodations for the classroom, and/or providing training to the school team.{{cn|date=June 2024}}

====Outpatient services====
Occupational therapists might also work with children in an outpatient clinic. When serving children in an outpatient clinic, services typically have to meet the criteria for medical necessity. Occupational therapists continue to focus on "occupations"; however, the "occupations" typically are related to medically necessary occupations such as safety and health.{{cn|date=June 2024}}

==== Primary care ====
Primary care for occupational therapists is an emerging area of practice. Traditionally a primary care office included physician, physician assistant, nurse, or nurse practitioner. In this model, the physician is limited to diagnosing and medical management. The field of occupational therapy is advocating for occupational therapists to become a part of primary care teams.  In regard to children, an occupational therapist could contribute by providing early parent training, developmental screenings, tips for wellness and prevention.{{cn|date=June 2024}}