Occupational Therapy Input at Simply Speaking SLT

What Do Occupational Therapists Do?

Occupational Therapists focus on achieving functional independence through therapeutic interventions, including activities someone wants, needs and has to do in their daily life.

Children gain functional independence through their development and play; however it is not always easy to consider all areas/milestones your child needs to reach. A Paediatric Occupational Therapist helps to assess, evaluate and provide support in the development of children.

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Occupational Therapists Can Help With:​

• Delayed developmental skills, e.g. crawling, jumping.

• Fine motor control e.g for independence in dressing, and fasteners

• Gross motor coordination (balance, strength, core strength and posture)

• Motor movements and coordination

• Self-cares (daily activities, showering, toileting, eating, sleeping)

• Toilet training

• Sensory Processing and behaviour support

• Emotional regulation

• Social Skills (play, joint attention and making friends)

• Behaviour (sensory systems, emotional regulation and positive behaviour approaches)

• Visual processing skills and attention

• Motor planning (preparation and sequencing of movements)

• Coordination between the two sides of the body (crossing the midline)

• Sensory modulation (reaction to stimulus)

• Family support and understanding of development and/or diagnosis