What do OT’s do?

• OT’s are trained at identifying barriers that restrict a child’s success or independence in completing everyday “occupations”
• What is a child’s “occupation”? With OT, kids CAN
  • Play independently 
  • Be successful in school
  • Easily adapt to change and problem solve
  • Complete self-care tasks
  • Effectively communicate to maintain great relationships with family and friends (social skill example- we can change this if necessary)
  • Learn beneficial behavioral skills, such as accountability, empathy, concentration, and self-esteem

Why would my child need OT?

Fine motor skills - precise hand movements

Tasks that might be difficult:

• Holding pencil/crayon
• Manipulating toys/small objects
• Clothing fasteners 

Bilateral Coordination - using both hands or arms together to complete tasks

Tasks that might be difficult:

• Jumping jacks
• Throwing/catching a ball
• Pull/push toys
• Crafting (cutting, glueing, etc…)

Visual-Motor Skills - hand-eye coordination 

Tasks that might be difficult:

• Handwriting (letters/numbers)
• Drawing/coloring
• Cutting
• Ball skills

Visual Perceptual Skills - the ability of the brain to understand what the eye is seeing

Tasks that might be difficult:

• Reading
• Puzzles
• Reversing letters/numbers
• Visual scanning (example instead that doesn’t use the medical term)
• Sorting

Self Care - activities of daily living

Tasks that might be difficult:

• Dressing
• Eating 
• Bathroom hygiene
• Chores
• Planning
• Decision making

Sensory Processing - ability to receive and respond to aspects of our environment

Tasks that might be difficult:

• Sensitivities to:
  • Sights
  • Sounds
  • Movement
  • Taste
  • Touch 
  • Smell

Strength 

Tasks that might be difficult:

• Core Strength
  • Sitting still or sitting without support
  • Climbing/running/jumping
  • Balance
  • Frequent falls
• Arm/Hand Strength
  • Turning doorknobs
  • Opening containers
  • Holding a pencil
  • Carrying multiple objects
  • Maintaining hold on objects

Range of Motion - the amount of movement a joint or body part has

Tasks that might be difficult:

• Limited movement in hands/arms, head, legs, or other body parts
• Difficulty straightening limbs 

Emotional Regulation - the ability to control one’s own emotional state

Tasks that might be difficult:

• Managing fear/anxiety
• Understanding emotions
• Frequent Outbursts
• Calming down

Social Skills - interaction and communication skills

Tasks that might be difficult:

• Interacting with others (peers, siblings)
• Following routines (school/home)
• Handling change/transitions
• Paying attention