Occupational Therapy (OT)
A child's main job is playing and learning, and occupational therapists (OTs) can evaluate kids' skills for playing, school performance, and daily activities and compare them with what is developmentally appropriate for that age group. Concrete examples of what an OT may do with your child are as follows:
Milestones
Facilitate age appropriate developmental milestones for children with decrease muscle strength, muscle tone, coordination, and developmental or congenital disorders (integrating reflexes, rolling, maintaining prone position, bringing hands to midline and reaching across midline, grasp and release, sitting up, crawling, walking).
Fine motor
Teach fine motor skills so they can grasp and release toys, manipulate fasteners and buttons for self care skills and development of good handwriting skills.
coordination
Address coordination to improve a child's play and school skills (hitting as target, batting a ball, copying information from a distance).
Daily living
Help with activities of daily living and personal independence (bathing, dressing, brushing teeth, feeding).
behavior mgmt
Manage difficult behavior using sensory and self-regulation strategies in conjunction with behavior management strategies and behavior intervention plans.
peer-to-peer
Address social skills related to peer interaction and functional participation in group activities and school environment.