Speech Therapy vs. Occupational Therapy: What’s the Difference?

As soon as you come across terms such as “speech therapy” or “occupational therapy,”. It’s quite normal that they are a bit confusing, and both of them have special helpers who work with the children. But what do they really do?

Let’s simplify it.

Speech therapy for kids is all about words talking, understanding, and communicating.

Occupational therapy (OT) is all about daily tasks using hands, moving the body, and handling the physical world.

What Exactly Does a Speech Therapist Do?

A speech therapist helps children who:

Struggle to say certain sounds
Have a limited vocabulary for their age
Mix up words or sounds
Stutter or have trouble speaking smoothly
Find it hard to understand what others say
Need help with reading or writing (sometimes)
Even have trouble swallowing food safely

Think of it this way:

When a little one makes a mistake such as calling spaghetti pasketti, he or she will get the help of a speech therapist to improve the pronunciation of saying spaghetti.

The inability of a child to recognize the word of placement, such as “put the toy in the box,” will be handled by a speech therapist as part of the word comprehension.

What Does an Occupational Therapist Do?

An occupational therapist is the one who gets involved if your child has difficulties in doing the physical tasks which other kids of their age generally can do.

They help children who:

Struggle to hold a pencil, crayon, or scissors
Have difficulty getting dressed by themselves
Get overwhelmed by loud noises or scratchy clothing tags
Have trouble balancing or walking steadily
Struggle with eating without spills
Can’t focus or sit still for long periods

Simply put:

When your child has difficulty in performing activities of daily living. It includes tying shoelaces, buttoning shirts, or using a spoon, and more. Consult an occupational therapist helps them acquire those skills sequentially.

Speech Therapy Vs Occupational Therapy for Toddlers

Speech Therapy

Words, language, and talking
Saying sounds correctly
Understanding and using words
Stuttering or swallowing problems

Occupational Therapy

Everyday activities and physical tasks
Fine motor skills (hands, fingers)
Balance, movement, coordination
Dressing, eating, writing

Can My Child Need Both?

Absolutely. Many children benefit from both therapies at the same time.

For example:

Struggle to say words/sentences clearly
And also have weak hand muscles that make writing difficult (occupational therapy)

Both therapists often work together to create a complete plan that supports the child’s full development.

Do These Therapies Work Together?

Often, yes! In fact, teamwork between speech and occupational therapists can make therapy even more effective.

Example:

The speech therapist teaches your child to say “apple.”
The occupational therapist helps your child hold the spoon and eat the apple slices.

One works on the words. The other works on the actions.

How Do I Know If My Child Needs Therapy?

Usually, it’s a team effort to identify when a child might need therapy. The first people to notice might be:

Parents
Teachers
Pediatricians
Daycare providers

If you have concerns, visit Continua Kids, talk to your child’s doctor. They may recommend an evaluation by a therapist.

Is Therapy Fun?

For kids, yes!
Both speech therapy and occupational therapy sessions often feel like playtime. Therapists use:

Games
Toys
Songs
Fun exercises

The aim is to provide children the opportunity to acquire the skills in a manner which seems engaging and fun.

The Takeaway

The difference between Speech and occupational therapy is vast. Speech therapists help with words and communication. Occupational therapists help with daily skills and physical coordination.

Both are important. Both can change a child’s life. If your child needs extra support, these professionals know exactly how to help.