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Occupational Therapy

Does your child need Occupational Therapy?
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An occupational therapist (OT) is a trained professional who evaluates and treats and then helps children with sensory integration, feeding skills, motor development, environmental exploration, play skills, adaptive behavior, and interaction between the child and others.

An OT referral may be indicated if the child demonstrates the following:

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  • Orthopedic hand/arm disorders

  • Poor coordination for holding bottle

  • Clumsy, bumps into things

  • Difficulty with coloring, handwriting, or using scissors.

  • Strong hand dominance before age of 5

  • Difficulty with dressing or grooming activities

  • Over sensitive or under sensitive to touch

  • Sensitive to or craves sound (Covers ears or makes excessive noise)

  • Sensitive to or craves movement activities

  • Difficulty with transitions or changes in routine

  • Limited play or social interaction

  • Fidgets, in constant motion, and always seeking input

What is Sensory Processing and Sensory Integration?

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Sensory Processing (sometimes called sensory integration or SI) is a term that refers to the way the nervous system receives messages from the senses and turns them into appropriate motor and behavioral responses.  Whether you are eating an ice cream cone, sitting on the beach, or driving a car, your successful completion of the activity requires processing sensation or “sensory integration".

 

A sensory processing disorder (SPD), formally known as “sensory integration dysfunction”, is “ a condition that exists when sensory signals don’t get organized into their appropriate responses.”  When these signals aren’t efficiently processed the brain has what amounts to a neurological traffic jam that prevents certain parts of the brain from receiving the information needed to interpret sensory information correctly.  A person with SPD finds it difficult to process and act upon information received through the senses which creates challenges in performing countless every day tasks.  Motor clumsiness, behavioral problems, anxiety, depression, school failure, and other impacts may result if the disorder is  not treated effectively.  The Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) Foundation research finds that 1 in 20 children are affected by these symptoms enough to impact participation and function in everyday life*.

Occupational Therapy Resource Links:

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