Occupational Therapy for Children: Benefits and Therapeutic Groups

Discover how therapeutic groups in pediatric occupational therapy help children develop skills, socialize, and improve quality of life in a safe and stimulating environment.

What Are Therapeutic Groups in Pediatric Occupational Therapy?

Therapeutic groups in occupational therapy are a widely used intervention method. They provide a unique context where the child can explore and enhance their abilities in a protected environment that simulates school, family, or play with peers. Group settings encourage motivation, cooperation, and a sense of belonging—crucial elements for growth and development.

The pediatric occupational therapist designs each session with tailored activities, adapted to the group’s characteristics (age, cognitive and motor abilities), creating an inclusive, safe, and stimulating setting. The goal is not only to improve individual skills but also to foster socialization, learning, emotional regulation, and active participation.

Key Objectives of Occupational Therapy Groups for Children

Occupational therapy groups for children aim to:

• Support children’s independence and participation in daily activities;
• Enhance cognitive, motor, social, and sensory skills;
• Promote integration and generalization of acquired skills in different contexts;
• Improve quality of life through meaningful and motivating activities;
• Work closely with parents, teachers, and other professionals (speech therapists, psychologists) to ensure a consistent and complete intervention.

Types of Therapeutic Groups in Occupational Therapy

Group occupational therapy takes different forms, each with specific goals:

• Therapeutic Play Groups: Focus on play activities to stimulate fine motor skills, social, cognitive, and communication abilities. Play becomes a meaningful occupation that builds self-esteem and cooperation. Ideal for children with developmental disorders or psychomotor challenges.
• Sensory Integration Groups (ASI): Based on A. Jean Ayres’ model, these aim to improve sensory processing. Through guided sensory-motor experiences, the occupational therapist supports better responses to stimuli, enhancing children’s participation in daily life. Suitable for children with sensory processing disorders, ADHD, or autism spectrum disorders.
• Social Skills Groups: Focus on peer interaction to build collaboration, communication, and emotional regulation. The therapist creates a structured, safe context where children can try new relational strategies. Particularly useful for children with autism or behavioral difficulties.
• Psycho-Educational Groups for Children and Parents: Actively involve both children and their parents. The goal is to enhance autonomy and ensure continuity between home, school, and therapy. The occupational therapist provides parents with strategies and practical tools to support the child’s development.
• School and Pre-School Skills Groups: Target essential skills for school settings, such as attention, hand-eye coordination, memory, and fine motor skills. Activities are designed to help transfer learned abilities to the classroom. Indicated for children with learning difficulties (SLD) or cognitive delays.

Conclusions: Why Group Occupational Therapy Makes a Difference

Therapeutic groups in occupational therapy provide a safe and motivating environment where children can develop essential skills, learning to participate, cooperate, and regulate emotions. With a child-centered approach and continuous adaptation of activities, environment, and relationships, group occupational therapy is a key tool to foster growth, autonomy, and social inclusion.