May 7, 2026, 12:00 p.m.
Some children benefit from physical or occupational therapy when they need extra support to build strength, coordination, or everyday skills so they can move, play, and participate more confidently.
St. Louis Children’s Hospital physical therapist Molly Sokolis, PT, DPT, explains the differences between physical therapy and occupational therapy and what physical and occupational therapists do.
- PTs treat conditions that affect gross motor skills requiring flexibility, strength, and balance, such as walking, running, or jumping.
- PTs may recommend equipment to support independence, such as wheelchairs, walkers, or braces.
- In school settings, PTs help students navigate their classroom and school building.
- OTs focus on fine motor skills, which require hand-eye coordination and precision. Fine motor skills include self-care, dressing, feeding, and handwriting.
- OTs provide sensory integration techniques and strategies to adapt home and school environments to meet a child’s needs.
- PTs and OTs help children with diagnoses including development delays, neurological and orthopedic conditions, autism, and sports injuries.
If you feel that your child might benefit from PT or OT services, talk to your pediatrician about the next best steps, or call 314-454-5437 to schedule an appointment with Therapy Services at any of our therapy locations.
