Pediatric Occupational Therapist Education

Pediatric Occupational jobs can pay very well. Currently the average wage for pediatric occupational therapist is between $70,000-$85,000. Those just graduating from college will be paid at the lower end until they gain more experience. Pediatric Occupational Therapy college courses usually look at a wide variety of subjects including: Language and cognitive skills, Refinement of sensory discrimination and processing, Appropriate social interactions, Development of communication skills, Age appropriate self care skills and Development of motor skills to name just a few. During the educational training course the student will learn key skills that enable them to become a pediatric occupational therapist after graduating from Pediatric Occupational Therapy school.

A candidate will at least need to gain a Master's degree in occupational therapy through pediatric occupational therapist schooling. Candidates must also hold a state issued license. During pediatric occupational therapist schooling the student will learn how to evaluate and treat infants, children and adolescents who have congenital or acquired disorders. There are benefits to being a pediatric occupational therapist as well these typically include, medical, dental, and life insurance; continuing education opportunities; referral bonuses; 401(k) retirement savings plan; travel expenses; professional liability insurance; immigration processing for trained foreign candidates; Section 125 cafeteria plan; additional state license; paid housing and relocation expenses. Benefits vary from each different work place.

Boston University is a very good school that offers a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy. Boston University is also accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE). Subjects typically covered in class coursework include functional movement analysis, neuro-anatomy, adaptation of occupation and behavior change. Boston University's College of Health and Rehabilitation Services also offers a doctoral program for Pediatric Occupational Therapy school students. Washington University in St. Louis also offers a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy where candidates have the choice of studying one particular subject of concentration, including productive aging, social participation, industry and pediatrics. There is the University of Illinois at Chicago that offers a full time 2 year master degree program for students interested in studying Pediatric Occupational Therapy.

There are other Pediatric Occupational Therapist schools across America that teach students the important skills of becoming a pediatric occupational therapist. Each individual Pediatric Occupational Therapist school teaches differently and has different requirements. There are some Pediatric Occupational Therapist schools that offer 3 or 4 year courses depending on whether the student is studying part time or full time. The 3 year course is full time leading to a qualification of a Bachelor's degree in occupational therapy.

If a person is already employed as an occupational therapy support worker they might be allowed to study a part time course which would last 4 years. There is also the choice of enrolling on a two year accelerated course that would lead to a formal qualification. Once a person gains the Bachelor's degree in the field of Occupational Therapy they need to take the next step and gain a Master's qualification. The Master's qualification is now a requirement in the USA which was introduced in 2007. One a person has gained their Master's degree, they will be able to sit the NBCOT (National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy) exam and begin their search for pediatric occupational therapist jobs.

Pediatric Occupational Therapists use specially designed physical therapy equipment, but this can differ depending on where the therapist works and also the different types of therapy. Pediatric Occupational Therapists might use different exercises that improve a client's range of movement and strength in certain joints. It also depends on the age range of the client to what method is used. Those who are older might benefit more from certain exercises whilst Pediatric Occupational Therapists specialize in children and tend not to use as rigorous approach. Physical therapy will help the client with mobility issues using special equipment. There are five most common specialist areas in physical therapists including orthopedic, geriatric, neurological, cardiovascular and pulmonary rehabilitation, and pediatric therapy. Orthopedic physical therapists concentrate on treating individuals with disorders and injuries of the musculoskeletal system.

Geriatric physical therapists concentrate on treating older people who might have conditions such as arthritis, osteoporosis, cancer, Alzheimer's disease, hip and joint replacement, balance disorders, incontinence, and more. Neurological physical therapists concentrate on patients with neurological disorder or disease such as Alzheimer's disease, ALS, brain injury, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, spinal cord injury, and stroke. Cardiopulmonary and pulmonary rehabilitation therapists treat cardiopulmonary disorders like heart attacks, post coronary bypass surgery, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and pulmonary fibrosis. Pediatric physical therapists concentrate on treating health problems in infants, children, and adolescents. A pediatric physical therapist has the specialized training to treat children. The difference of a specialized professional in paediatrics compared with someone who treats the elderly is that they know how a child's bones work. By receiving treatment sooner rather than later Pediatric physical therapists can offer a child the best treatment to reach their full potential at a faster pace.

Psychological therapy takes care of patients who have behavioral and/or emotional disorders. There are also physical therapies like, Sports Medicine and Cardiopulmonary Physical Therapy. Physical therapists might work in care settings such as, Nursing care homes, General medical and surgical hospitals, Offices of physical, occupational and speech therapists, and audiologists.

Find Special Needs Custom Mobility Devices here