Occupational Therapy in Pediatric Psychiatric Hospitalization

An occupational therapy system operates as part of a multi-professional team in the fourth department. The occupational clinics (OT M.Sc) specialize in mental health in children and have experience working with a variety of populations. The patients are children aged 6-12 who are in an emotional/mental crisis and are hospitalized for about three months. Some of them have accompanying neurodevelopmental difficulties such as attention deficit disorder (ADHD), communication difficulties (ASD), learning disabilities (LD), sensory regulation disorder (SMD), and developmental coordination disorder (DCD).

The overarching goal of the occupational clinics is to promote the children's functioning and independence in various areas, including daily functions, learning functions, play, leisure, self-employment, and social participation. They perform an assessment (using standardized tests, observations, and questionnaires for parents) and refer to the children's personal aspects (such as motor, sensory and cognitive skills), their human and physical environment, their occupations and the interaction between these components and their effect on functioning. In addition, they hold parent trainings and deal with understanding the children's needs and adjusting the agenda, even on weekends, and make home