When should you see an OT?
What is OT?
Paediatric OT is a dynamic field that comprehensively examines and enhances children's functional abilities. Our practice recognises the expansive nature of OT, which encompasses a wide range of factors impacting a child's daily life. Yet, we take pride in our specialised approach, delving deep into the foundational aspects of these skills. This combination of breadth and specialisation enables us to provide tailored interventions, nurturing each child's unique development and well-being.
When do you need an OT?
discord
When a child or family finds themselves in discord, it often involves navigating challenges with strained relationships and heightened tension, resulting in a less harmonious and easeful environment. Understanding the child's unique profile, we can work together to rediscover and restore this lost harmony.
function is impacted
When a child's processing or learning profile affects their ability to perform daily activities, it can lead to challenges in crucial functional tasks. These difficulties may influence their capacity to stay on par with peers and affect their self-esteem, frustration tolerance and independence. Occupational therapy (OT) plays a vital role in supporting children to enhance their functional capabilities.
surviving not thriving
Even when facing challenges, we often find ways to engage in social and learning environments, but it can come with great effort, leaving us in survival mode, with increased stress and fatigue. This is when we see children in survival mode. Our aim in therapy is to support your child in transitioning from this mode to find a space in which they can truly thrive.
when to consult an OT?
a guide: not comprehensive but insightful.
home:
Refusal to eat certain foods, limited food preferences, or struggles transitioning to solid foods.
Challenges in matching emotional reactions to events, frequent mood swings, difficulty managing emotions, or heightened emotional responses.
Irregular sleep patterns, difficulty falling or staying asleep, night terrors, or bedwetting.
Difficulty achieving age-appropriate independence in self-care and grooming tasks.
Displaying signs of either heightened sensitivity (overactivity) or reduced sensitivity (underreactivity) to sensory stimuli.
Challenges with sustaining attention, following instructions, or maintaining focus on tasks.
Difficulty in age-appropriate social engagement and play skills.
Clumsiness or motor planning difficulties are affecting daily activities.
Challenges with fine motor tasks required for age-appropriate independence.
Difficulties in sensing, comprehending, organising, and responding to sensory stimuli can result in challenges related to self-regulation, motor skills, and overall functional abilities.
when to consult an OT?
a guide: not comprehensive but insightful.
learning environment:
Difficulties with cutting, colouring, puzzles, or construction.
Difficulties in pre-writing, drawing, and writing skills, avoidance of fine motor tasks
Inconsistent use of their dominant hand, poor strength, hand control, and coordination challenges using both hands.
Reduced efficiency and fluency in movements, poor postural control
Difficulty copying from the blackboard.
Missing important information relevant to tasks, inability to focus, easy distractibility, or trouble following instructions.
Struggling with handwriting, reading, math, or overall academic performance.
Difficulty with planning, organisation, time management, or task completion.
Difficulty completing matching, memory games, or tasks.
Trouble making friends, difficulty with social cues.
Challenges in emotional regulation, difficulties with transitions, anxiety
Awkward or clumsy movements., difficulty with sports, physical education activities, or playground play.
when to consult an OT?
a guide: not comprehensive but insightful.
socially & emotionally:
Challenges in emotional regulation, difficulties with transitions, anxiety.
Difficulty forming and sustaining friendships, difficulty with social cues.
Preference for solitary play, not reacting to others' attempts to communicate and play.
Demonstrating repetitive play and social interactions, reduced interest in pretend and social play.
Slower development of play skills compared to peers.
Difficulty producing responses that match the situation.
Poor frustration tolerance and frequent meltdowns.
Increased levels of activity or arousal.
Easily becoming distracted, poor impulse control.
Difficulty knowing what to focus on relevant to the task, appearing disinterested in tasks or losing interest quickly.
Emotional dysregulation
Social Anxiety, nervousness or avoidance in social gatherings, difficulty engaging in group activities.
Difficulties in crowded or noisy environments
Difficulty adapting to new places or routines, becoming anxious or overwhelmed in public settings.
Hypervigilance, avoidance, or nightmares.
Life’s a puzzle and
square pegs bring their own delightful twist to the round holes, making our journey wonderfully unique.