Signs Your Child May Benefit from Occupational Therapy

Your child isn't responding to their name, isn't saying enough words, doesn't engage in conversations, or is difficult to understand. You're pretty positive they need speech therapy. Your child is almost a year old and isn't crawling, 18 months old and not walking, or has trouble balancing, so you ask the doctor about a physical therapy evaluation. You've may have heard of occupational therapy, but aren't really sure of what it is or how it cauld benefit your child. You're not alone! Pediatric occupational therapists address a multitude of skills that your child needs in order to be confidently independent as they navigate throughout their day. So how do you know if your child may benefit from occupational therapy services? Below is a short list of 10 ways to determine the need for occupational therapy:

1. 

   Difficulty with Fine Motor Skills: Struggles with tasks such as writing, buttoning shirts, or using scissors.

2. Poor Hand-Eye Coordination: Challenges in catching a ball, playing sports, or participating in activities that require coordination.

3. Challenges in Daily Living Activities: Difficulty with self-care tasks like dressing, grooming, or feeding themselves.

4. Social Interaction Issues: Trouble making friends, understanding social cues, or engaging in group activities.

5. Sensory Processing Difficulties: Overreacting or underreacting to sensory stimuli, such as sounds, textures, or lights.

6. 

   Difficulty with Transitions: Struggles to adapt to changes in routine, leading to anxiety or behavioral issues.

7. Delayed Developmental Milestones: Not meeting age-appropriate milestones in areas such as movement, play, or communication.

8. Excessive Clumsiness: Frequent trips, falls, or accidents that indicate a lack of coordination.

9. Behavioral Concerns: Engaging in repetitive behaviors, meltdowns, or exhibiting frustration during tasks.

10. Low Self-Esteem: Expressing feelings of inadequacy or frustration with their abilities compared to peers.

This is just a short list of possible signs. If you have concerns the best way to determine your child's need for OT is to ask your pediatrician to refer you for an evaluation.

At JS Occupational Therapy, we do a throurough evaluation of your child's fine motor, gross motor, sensory, self-help, and social-emotional skills. Give me a call or complete our contact form to consult with an OT and schedule an evaluation.

OT Empowers Children & Families Through PLAY !