Intervention
What do Occupational Therapists do?
paint Gross Motor (Physical) SkillsGross motor skills are physical skills that involve whole body movement with the support of large muscles of the body. These body movements perform actions vital for everyday functioning such as running, walking, jumping and sitting upright. Gross motor skills are essential for child development and contribute to the smooth engagement in activities of daily living such as household tasks, personal care and school-based activities. Gross motor challenges can also impact on underlying skills such as attention span, concentration and sitting tolerance which are vital in all daily activities. | blocks Fine Motor SkillsFine motor skills are the appropriate use and coordination of small body muscles such as fingers and hands. Children who require assistance with their fine motor skills may struggle to hold and release toys, write legibly, use scissors, assemble blocks, finish puzzles, use zips and manipulate buttons. |
teddy PlayPlay is an essential everyday task for child development as they are the foundation of learning skill and cognitive development. Play encourages social participation and social skill development. Play skills targeted through OT intervention include pretend and imaginative play, turn taking, sharing, teamwork, tolerance to winning and losing and interactive play. | flower Daily Living SkillsUnder daily living, an emphasis is given to increase the child’s independence and autonomy when engaged in day-to-day activities such as self-care (dressing, showering, toileting, grooming, sleep and personal hygiene), leisure (community engagement and participation, recreational activities and etc), and productivity (school readiness, money management and budgeting, meal preparation, accessing public transport and etc). |
music Sensory ProcessingSensory processing is the ability to organise and interpret information received through the senses from our own bodies and the environment. Some children have difficulty producing an appropriate response to situations, the task and the environment. Interventions will focus on gaining a deeper understanding into the child’s sensory preferences and look at modifying tasks and the environment to accommodate for their sensory needs. | sun RegulationRegulation involves the ability to self-regulate or co-regulate one’s emotions, behaviour, attention and energy levels in accordance to the situation and in a socially acceptable manner. Children with regulation challenges will often exhibit meltdowns and tantrum behaviours as a result of an attempt to regulate themselves. OT interventions will focus on understanding their sensory needs and regulation challenges to better support their regulation through task and/or environmental modification, parent/caregiver coaching and provision of compensatory strategies including aids and equipment. |