The science of paediatric occupational therapy assesses and intervenes through play to identify and address difficulties related to gross and fine motor skills, such as coordination of movements, writing and handling of small objects. It intervenes in difficulties with sensory regulation and processing, visual perception skills, difficulties with symmetry and posture, and motor planning. Also in self-care skills and cognitive functions of attention, memory, processing and recording. Occupational therapists continually create opportunities for games and adapt them in such a way that the child can successfully participate in their process.

Through play, children learn to explore new environments, experience new sensory experiences, express their ideas and feelings and develop social skills so that they can interact appropriately with their peers. It aims to improve skills to increase functional engagement with environmental demands through intervention in sensory processing, attentional organization, planning and executive functions, motor planning and movement coordination in child and adolescent executive functioning.

Pediatric occupational therapy evaluates the functionality of the child/individual through weighted tests and through clinical (structured and non-structured) observations with the ultimate goal of improving and restoring the difficulties that a child may have in skills listed in detail below.