Self Care: Occupational therapists evaluate sensory, attention, cognitive, vision and motor skills and their impact on participation in age appropriate self care skills. Common self-care skills that are impacted by concerns in these areas include dressing, tooth brushing, hair care, and toileting.
Handwriting: Occupational therapists evaluate sensory, attention, cognitive, vision and motor skills and their impact on demonstrating grade level handwriting skills. Handwriting skills are complex and success is dependent on success in these areas. Often, children benefit from the comprehensive evaluation of an OT to assess particular areas impacting handwriting to provide extra support for home and school.
Emotional regulation: Meltdowns are common in childhood and typically a normal part of development. However, occasionally children become so overwhelmed and inflexible that they are unable to participate in typical daily activities or transition from one thing to another. Occupational therapists identify typical and atypical emotional responses and assess possible causes for atypical responses. Atypical emotional regulation could stem from sensory regulation, cognitive, attention, communication and social skill difficulties. An occupational therapist will assess these areas and provide the family and child tailored assistance.
Following Directions: The ability to follow directions is a developmental skill that can impact learning, safety and social skill. Occupational therapists evaluate sensory, attention, cognitive, motor and vision skills and their impact on participation in age appropriate attention and direction following. Common areas that occupational therapists provide assistance for this include following single and multi-step directions, maintaining safety and listening/processing skills.
Social Skills: Children develop through play and engagement with the world and people around them. Limitations in the ability to relate, understand, engage and communicate with others may lead to developmental delays and reduce overall participation in typical daily activities. Occupational therapists can assess a child’s social skills and provide interventions to improve these skills.
