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Children's Occupational Therapy is Catching Up

2,151 views · Published 18 July 2011 · 1:35 · Indexed 4 October 2026

Channel: Lee Health · 2011 · Science & Technology

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With two pregnancies and two pre-term deliveries, Holly Hanni knew she would have her hands full.
 
"It was scary cause I knew the trials that we had with Ethan so it was definitely scary knowing we would have another preemie."
 
Both Ethan and Noah are healthy but both are developmentally delayed compared to other kids. In their case, occupational therapy may help them catch up.
 
"Occupational therapists, in pediatric health, basically deal with children from birth to 18," says Jennifer Feinstein occupational therapist with Lee Memorial Health System.
 
The goal of occupational therapy is to teach children how to perform everyday tasks for themselves.
 
"We work on self help skills, helping them to get dressed, to eat, to care for themselves at home, we also work on sensory processing skills, how they take in the environment," says Feinstein.
 
Getting a head start can help jump start a child's abilities. Much of what they learn in occupational therapy today is meant to get them on track for school tomorrow,
 
Pediatric occupational therapy simulates play.
 
"Most of the time they don't really realize they're working on their goals," says Feinstein.
 
Putting children in complex settings helps them process motor skills, develop their thought process and rational thinking. Encouraging Holly, who is already contemplating life's challenges for her sons.
 
"Just knowing what we would have to go through medically, physically, emotionally."
 
She's ready to grab on to the helping hand.

View More Health Matters video segments at leememorial.org/​healthmatters/​

Lee Memorial Health System in Fort Myers, FL is the largest network of medical care facilities in Southwest Florida and is highly respected for its expertise, innovation and quality of care. For nearly a century, we've been providing our community with everything from primary care treatment to highly specialized care services and robotic assisted surgeries. Visit leememorial.org/​caring

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