If your child has trouble handling daily tasks, making friends, or handling sensory input, we are here to help. Give us a call at (225) 767-5032 to schedule an evaluation or send us a message online to get started.
What Is Occupational Therapy?
Each child’s daily routine is made up of occupations, or everyday activities such as playing, learning, getting dressed, eating, interacting with peers, and many more! Occupational therapists (OTs) are trained professionals who evaluate and provide interventions for a child whose challenges are affecting their participation in everyday life.
Pediatric OTs work to increase a child’s independence across all environments and address skills in performance areas such as:
- Fine motor coordination
- Gross motor coordination
- Self-regulation
- Visual motor and perception skills
- Handwriting
- Self-care
- Play skills
- Strength/endurance
- Academics and school readiness
- Social participation
- Reflex integration
- Sensory processing skills
What Are the Signs That My Child Might Need Occupational Therapy?
- Difficulty with activities that involve small muscle movements, such as grasping objects or using utensils.
- Challenges with handwriting, including poor grip, illegible writing, or difficulty forming letters.
- Lack of coordination or balance, leading to frequent falls or bumps.
- Difficulty with tasks like catching or throwing a ball.
- Delayed development of motor skills like crawling, walking, or jumping.
- Overreacting or underreacting to sensory stimuli such as touch, sound, or movement.
- Difficulty with transitions between activities or environments.
- Avoiding certain textures, smells, or sounds in the environment.
- Struggles with dressing independently, including challenges with buttons, zippers, or shoe tying.
- Difficulty with basic hygiene tasks like brushing teeth or washing hands.
- Short attention span or difficulty focusing on tasks.
- Frequent fidgeting or restlessness during seated activities.
- Challenges with organization, leading to a messy room or difficulty keeping track of belongings.
- Difficulty planning and sequencing tasks.
- Impulsive behavior or difficulty controlling impulses.
- Frustration, anxiety, or emotional distress related to challenges in daily activities.
- Social difficulties, including challenges with peer interactions.
- Limited food preferences or aversions to certain textures.
- Difficulty with chewing or swallowing.
- Struggles with tasks that require fine motor skills, such as cutting, coloring, or using scissors.
- Challenges with activities that involve spatial awareness and coordination.
- Limited engagement in age-appropriate play activities.
- Difficulty participating in group activities or cooperative play.
- Constantly touching things or having accidents
- Not reacting to pain, extreme temperatures, spicy foods, etc.
Occupational Therapy Screener
Think your child may need occupational therapy? Our screener can help you identify if your child’s occupational development is on track with his/her age.
How Are Occupational Delays Diagnosed?
Occupational delays can be diagnosed by our expert occupational therapists after a comprehensive evaluation. This evaluation includes various assessments and a review of your child’s medical history to understand their unique motor, sensory, cognitive, and social struggles. With this information, our experts will be able to determine the exact type of delay and develop a therapy plan to address your child’s specific needs. To learn more about occupational therapy or to schedule a comprehensive evaluation, please contact our office.
What Is the Treatment for Occupational Delays?
Your child’s treatment will be determined after their comprehensive evaluation to ensure we address their unique challenges. In general, treatment for occupational delays may include:
- Exercises and other physical activities to build fine and gross motor skills
- Playing games to build social skills
- Reading, writing, and playing pretend
- Memory games and puzzles to build cognitive skills
- Learning to use Augmentative and Alternative Communication devices
- Developing healthy coping mechanisms to handle stressful situations
- Home-based activities to continue practicing occupational skills between therapy sessions
Early Identification and Intervention
Schedule An Evaluation Today
If your child is struggling with their occupational skills, or if you need guidance on their treatment, our team at Dynamic Therapy Specialists is here to help. We will work with you and your child to improve their speech and language skills in a fun and supportive environment. Call us at (225) 767-5032 or fill out the form below, to schedule a personalized evaluation and take the first step to set your child up for success in life.