A career as a Pediatric Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) assists children in mastering the everyday tasks of childhood. This specialized role focuses on helping young people from infancy through adolescence overcome physical, cognitive, or sensory challenges that interfere with their ability to learn, play, and engage in self-care. The demand for OTAs is seeing substantial growth, reflecting the importance of early intervention and specialized therapeutic support. Entering this field is a rewarding path where daily efforts translate into a child’s increased independence and a higher quality of life.
Understanding the Pediatric Occupational Therapy Assistant Role
The Pediatric Occupational Therapy Assistant works directly with children, implementing treatment plans designed by a supervising Occupational Therapist (OT). This collaborative work centers on helping children achieve functional independence in their “occupations,” which primarily means playing, learning, and self-care. The OTA guides the child through therapeutic activities, often utilizing play-based strategies to improve specific skills, such as fine motor control for handwriting or gross motor skills for playground participation.
A pediatric OTA routinely addresses conditions such as developmental delays, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), cerebral palsy, and sensory processing issues. The daily focus involves improving skills like grasping, facilitating self-feeding and dressing, and helping children regulate their responses to sensory input. Pediatric OTAs work in diverse environments, including specialized outpatient clinics, hospitals, early intervention programs, and school systems.
Education and Training Requirements
Becoming an Occupational Therapy Assistant requires completing a two-year Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree. The program must be accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE). The intensive curriculum combines foundational science coursework with specialized occupational therapy theory and practical application. Core subjects often include human development, kinesiology, neurological structure and function, and therapeutic intervention techniques.
The academic portion is followed by mandatory supervised clinical education known as fieldwork. This practical training is structured in two parts: Level I consists of introductory experiences, and Level II requires two full-time, eight-week clinical rotations. Fieldwork allows students to transition from classroom theory to professional practice, providing hands-on experience, including focused rotations in pediatric settings. Completion of both the academic and fieldwork requirements is necessary for graduation and eligibility for the national certification examination.
The Certification and Licensure Process
Graduation from an ACOTE-accredited program is followed by the required national certification process. Graduates must apply to sit for the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) examination for the Occupational Therapy Assistant. This standardized, four-hour exam consists of 190 multiple-choice and multi-response items designed to measure entry-level competence for safe and effective practice.
Passing the national examination grants the professional the Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) designation, a credential recognized across the United States. The final step is obtaining state-specific licensure or registration, which is required by nearly all states for legal authorization to practice. While licensure is typically based on the successful NBCOT exam result, some jurisdictions may require additional steps, such as a criminal background check or a jurisprudence exam.
Career Trajectory and Earning Potential
The career outlook for Occupational Therapy Assistants is strong, projected to see 18% growth from 2024 to 2034, significantly outpacing the average for all occupations. This demand ensures a healthy job market for those specializing in pediatrics. The median annual wage for occupational therapy assistants was $68,340 in May 2024, though earning potential varies based on geographic location and practice setting.
Salaries for Pediatric OTAs generally fall between $57,000 and $76,000 annually, with private clinics and high-cost-of-living areas often offering higher compensation. Career advancement can involve pursuing specialization certifications in areas such as feeding or sensory integration, which increases marketability. OTAs may also pursue a Master’s or Doctoral degree through bridge programs to become a full Occupational Therapist, taking on evaluation and treatment plan development responsibilities.