Does My Child Need OT?
If your child is experiencing 3 or more problems on this checklist, occupational therapy intervention may be helpful.
Fine Motor Skills
- frequent fisting of hands after 6 mo.
- difficulty with pencil grasp
- poor handwriting, letter/number formation, tires quickly during written work
- difficulty using scissors
- difficulty manipulating tools such as knife, fork, spoon
- difficulty with developing a dominant hand
- difficulty with coloring, drawing, tracing, puzzles
- difficulty with tying shoes, doing buttons
- breaks toys or crayons easily
- avoids tactile play
- difficulty following several step instructions for motor tasks / projects
Gross Motor Play 
- does not tolerate a prone (on stomach) position
- clumsy, lacks motor coordination
- falls frequently
- confuses movements of left and right
- weak or low muscle tone
- poor balance
- poor ball skills
- fearful of feet leaving the ground
- difficulty coordinating both sides
- difficulty with jumping, skipping, running
- doesn’t cross midline
Developmental Delay
- slow to meet developmental milestones (roll, crawl, sit, stand, walking)
- not learning at a age appropriate level
- difficulty with daily living skills (dressing, grooming, feeding)
- not developing age appropriate play and social skills
- difficulty following directions
Sensory Integration Problems
- overly sensitive or heightened reactivity to sound, touch, or movement
- avoids touch, bathing, hugs or becomes tense when held
- under responsive to certain sensations (e.g. high pain tolerance, doesn’t notice cuts/bruises)
- constantly moving, jumping, crashing, bumping
- easily distracted by visual or auditory stimuli
- emotionally reactive
- difficulty coping with change
- unable to calm self when upset
- unable to settle down, sleep difficulties
Austim Spectrum Disorders/ Asperger’s Syndrome
- difficulty interacting socially and engaging with family and peers
- difficulties with sensory processing
- difficulty changing to new environments
- has delayed language skills
- overly focused on one subject e.g. space, universe, dinosaurs
- difficulty coping in the school environment
Learning Disabilities – ADD/ADHD
- unable to concentrate and focus at school
- easily distracted
- difficulty following instructions and completing work
- fatigues with school work
- poor impulse control
- hyperactivity or low energy
- difficulty keeping up with workload at school
- difficulty learning new material
Visual Processing
- difficulty with spacing and sizes of letters
- difficulty recognizing letters
- loses their place when reading or copying for the board
- poor eye contact
- difficulties with tracking and crossing midline
- difficulty finding objects amongst other objects
- difficulties copying from the board
- confuses left and right
- makes reversals after age 7
Play Skills
- needs adult guidance to initiating play
- avoids playground activities
- difficulty with imitative play
- wanders aimlessly without purposeful play
- moves quickly from activity to the next
- does not explore toys appropriately
- participates in repetitive play for hours (e.g. lining up toys)
- does not join in with peers/sibling when laying
- does not understand concepts of sharing and turn taking
Occupational therapists use a variety of treatments to help children reach their full potential. Some typical treatments include:
- Cognitive training
- Activities of daily living
- Sensory integration
- Behavioral training
- Fine motor skill training
- Splinting
- Therapeutic exercise
Occupational therapists can play an important part in helping children to function to their full potential. Our occupational therapists work as part of a treatment team that includes the primary care physician, other healthcare professionals and the child's family. Please feel free to contact us if you would like to discuss whether occupational therapy is appropriate for your child 509-699-0214.
