Which are considered primary occupations in pediatric occupational therapy?

• A. ADLs, IADLs, health management, sleep and rest, education, work, play, leisure, and social participation
• B. Fine motor skills, gross motor skills, sensory processing, cognitive skills
• C. Physical health assessment, risk management, nutrition, respiratory therapy
• D. Academic performance, handwriting, test-taking, school attendance

Answer: (A)

In pediatric occupational therapy, occupations are the meaningful activities children participate in across home, school, and community. The primary occupations for kids encompass a broad range: activities of daily living (self-care like dressing and feeding), instrumental activities of daily living (home management tasks when relevant), health management (keeping safe and healthy), sleep and rest, education, work or productive roles, play, leisure, and social participation with peers and family. This broad, participation-focused list is central because it reflects what a child does that gives life structure, purpose, and joy, and it guides how therapy supports independence and engagement in everyday life.

The other options focus more on skills or specific tasks rather than the full spectrum of meaningful activities. For example, emphasizing motor skills or sensory processing highlights underlying abilities rather than the occupations themselves, and listing health services or school-specific tasks covers areas that are not, by themselves, the occupations children engage in.