Occupational therapy (OT) helps people who struggle to do everyday tasks because of poor motor skills. For kids, that includes tasks that are part of learning and functioning well at school. OT works on the skills kids need to do the things they struggle with, from zipping their coat to writing and typing. Please take a look at the Sensory Integration Checklist for teachers and parents below and see if any of these points ring a bell for your child. If any of the answers are yes, please contact us for a consultation by one of our occupational therapists.
Does the child:
● Act as a bystander or observer on the playground and rarely tries out the equipment independently?
● Have poor posture while sitting in a chair, difficulties in remaining in the chair or during circle time the child is observed to roll or move around a lot on the floor?
● Have a difficult time walking in line or being close to other children?
● Frequently choose the same familiar game or activity and avoids learning new motor activities or games?
● Have difficulty manipulating small objects, using scissors, demonstrate an abnormal pencil grip, or their hand tires easily during fine motor tasks?
● Have more difficulty than peers putting on their coat, putting on and tying shoes, and buttoning?
● Have trouble putting together puzzles or finding a specific object in the classroom?
● Frequently runs into things in the classroom, falls to the floor, or purposely crashes into things or people?
● Have more trouble than their peers writing in their assignment notebook, keeping their desk and folders organized and turning in assignments on time?
● Take excessive risks and frequently demonstrates decreased safety awareness (fearless)?
● Have a preference for movement activities like excessive swinging, spinning in circles or placing head upside down?
Read more from Understood.org to find out what you need to know about occupational therapy.
