What is an Occupational Therapist?
Occupational Therapists are health professionals trained in medical and behavioural sciences, including: neurology, anatomy, physiology and psychology.

Occupational Therapists have an understanding of physical, cognitive (mental) and behavioural development and they aim to develop, restore, enhance or adapt a child’s abilities, to optimise functioning at home, at school and in the community. Occupational Therapists work with children who are experiencing, or are at risk of experiencing difficulties:

• forming relationships
• learning to their full potential
• enjoying life with a healthy sense of self esteem

What can Occupational Therapists do?

• Evaluate a child’s level of performance in critical developmental areas using standardised and observational assessments
• Observe a child’s home or school environment and make recommendations to promote development and engagement
• Identify functional goals for intervention in collaboration with a child’s parents, guardians, teachers or other health care professionals
• Provide therapy one-on-one or in a group context. Therapy may take place at home, at school or in the clinic

Ultimately, Occupational Therapists aspire to promote self esteem and quality of life for children and their families.
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Who might need an Occupational Therapist?
What to look out for!

  

  

 

Clumsy or awkward movements: Falling or tripping over and/or bumping into people or objects

Avoidance of playing sports

Poor coordination: or difficulty with Sport, Playing with balls, Climbing, Riding a bike and/or Coordinating movements of arms and legs

Poor balance: 

• Difficulty with Steps, 
• Walking on a line or balance beam 
• Standing on one leg and/or hopping

Self Care

• Difficulty with buttons, zippers or shoelaces, 
• Trouble ‘orienting’ clothing
• Poor sequencing within tasks (dressing or packing bag)
• Trouble with skills such as brushing hair or teeth, toileting, bathing or using a knife & fork

Poor postural control

• Slouching when standing or sitting at a desk
• Resting head in hand when writing
• Leaning on furniture, walls or other people

Avoidance of drawing, writing, cutting, craft or other table top activities.

Handwriting

• Immature or restrictive pencil grip
• Poor letter formation
• Reversals
• Poor spatial organisation/setting out or neatness
• Reduced writing speed
• Experiencing pain when writing

Drawing

• Trouble drawing people or houses
• Difficulty drawing shapes
• Difficulty tracing over lines

Copying

• Trouble copying from the board or text books
• Omitting letters or words
• Poor spatial organisation
• Reduced speed (difficulty ‘keeping up’ in class)

Fine Motor Skills

• Difficulty with craft activities
• Trouble manipulating small toys
• Poor dexterity
• Difficulty threading beads
• Trouble with construction games
• Trouble with computers

Cutting Skills

• Holding scissors awkwardly
• Tense or asymmetrical posture
• Swapping hands
• Changing direction when cutting
• Decreased accuracy and neatness
• Poor planning

Sensory Processing

• Easily overstimulated, or Generally low level or arousal (flat affect, hard to engage)
• Appears to be sensitive to certain auditory input (sounds), tactile input (touch – textures, temperatures, pressure), visual input or vestibular input (movement)
• Seeks some sensations (e.g. deep pressure, vibration, spinning or light touch)

Allied Professions
It is noted that Occupational Therapists work closely with other medical and educational specialists, so that we may provide the best possible care.

• Developmental Paediatricians are likely to be important to clients experiencing difficulties in all areas, but in particular, those experiencing difficulties with literacy and learning.
• Clinical Psychologists are important in gathering information about a child’s strengths and weaknesses in both verbal and nonverbal spheres, enabling us to be better informed as we plan interventions.
• Physiotherapists are important members of the team for infants and children with muscle tone, strength and coordination issues. They can assist infants reach milestones such as sitting, crawling, walking and running etc.
• Speech Pathologists, are very important too, of course! They can help children with the speech and language components of their play, self care and 'work' roles. Speech Pathologists can coordinate with visual processing intervention to maximise gains in comprehension.