How do I know if my child needs Occupational Therapy?
- A delay in fine motor skills, visual motor/visual perceptual skills, self help skills, and/or sensory integration issues that aren't treated early can result in life-long problems completing everyday tasks, as well as learning, reading, and writing difficulties. If you suspect your child may have problems in any of these areas, we recommend an evaluation by one of our occupational therapists.
Here are some examples of issues that may need to be evaluated by an occupational therapist:
- Difficulty attending to a task
- Difficulty transitioning from one activity to another
- Seems weaker or tires more easily than other children.
- Seems to have weaker hands, and tires more easily when performing fine motor tasks such as writing, coloring, cutting, pencil grip, pushing to hard or not enough on pencil
- Difficulty learning to read, recalling sight words, or math facts
- Needs more practice than other children to learn new skills
- Difficulty with the use of a spoon or cup and / or has messy eating habits
- Difficulty putting on shoes (not tying) or getting on coat with zipper
- Difficulty dressing self, especially with buttons, snaps, belts, etc.
- Does not enjoy jumping, swinging, or having feet off the ground
- Dislikes/difficulty playing with puzzles or small manipulative toys (blocks, beads, etc.)
- Difficulty paying attention or following instructions
- Overly active, unable to slow down and appears to be in constant motion
- Does not accept change in routine easily
- Dislikes swimming, bathing, hugs, and / or haircuts
- Over-reacts to touch, taste, sounds, or odors
- Under-reacts to movement, sound, touch, or has very little emotional response
- History of delayed speech development
- Finds it difficult to make friends with children of the same age, prefers to play with adults or younger children rather than peers
- Is a picky eater, refuses many foods
- Frequently pushes, hits, or uses too much force when playing with other children
- Difficulty/dislikes coloring or drawing
Some medical conditions that may require occupational therapy include, but are not limited to:
- Dyspraxia/Limb Apraxia:
- Cerebral Palsy
- Attention Deficit Disorder with or without Hyperactivity
- Spina Bifida
- Down Syndrome
- Musculoskeletal Disorders
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Hand, wrist, elbow and shoulder injuries
- Upper Extremity Injuries
- Tennis/Golfer's Elbow
- Repetitive Overuse Syndrome
- Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy
- Muscular Dystrophy
- Multiple Sclerosis