Occupational Therapists treat a wide range of diagnosis, disabilities, congenital disorders and injuries. Occupational Therapy focuses on the “occupation” or “jobs” of childhood such as play, socialization, self care, feeding, eating and dressing, along with their ability to perform in school. OT help’s children develop skills needed for functional independence. Occupational Therapists complete a thorough evaluation, including a comprehensive intake of medical history, neurological clinical observations, and various standardized testing. Some common functional skills that are assessed, but are not limited to the following; functional shoulder, arm and hand control such as fine motor coordination, handwriting, eye hand coordination, bilateral coordination & integration, ocular motor skills, visual motor integration, visual processing, perceptual processing, upper body strength, core strength and stability, motor planning, sensory processing/ sensory motor integration and cognitive integration.
More on sensory processing….
OT and sensory processing go hand in hand! Our knowledgeable and experienced occupational therapists understand sensory processing disorders and can help your child feel better within. When the sensory system goes awry, this impacts behavior, learning, social engagement and skill acquisition. Simply put, sensory processing isn’t about using figit toys and “giving” in to behaviors often labeled as “sensory stimming”. When a child is left to their own devices they will find ways, and not always socially acceptable ways, to “try” and regulate how their body feels. At the time parents may think that is behavior pleases the child and keeps them happy, but understanding that your child’s neurological system is getting its wires crossed causing your child to misinterpret information about their environment is really what is happening. Regulating the neurological system ultimately helps the child feel comfortable in their own body.
Occupational Therapists assess and treat sensory processing disorder. OT’s understand that a child’s ability to process sensory information appropriately impacts overall development on multiple levels. Without the ability to properly process sensory information, a child may demonstrate speech and feeding difficulties, social-emotional delays, deficits in acquiring motor skills at age appropriate times, and overall deficits in strength and coordination. When it comes to sensory processing problems, a child doesn’t “grow out of it”. The natural instinct for a human is to find some way to make the body feel better; often this is when maladaptive behaviors are formed. Sensory issues that are left untreated can have life lasting/ alternating effects, leading to anxiety disorders in early teen years, social emotional issues, problematic behaviors and restrict learning. The “wait and see” approach is never the way to go. Reach out to CTC today and let us help your child begin to feel better and have happier days!
Occupational therapy (OT) milestones for children, particularly those with delayed milestones, are important for supporting their development in key areas. While all children develop at their own pace, children with developmental delays may have unique challenges or delays in reaching these milestones. Occupational therapy focuses on helping children develop skills for daily living, fine motor coordination, sensory processing, and social interaction.
Here’s a general overview of OT milestones for typical development vs. children with developmental delays:
1. Fine Motor Skills:
- Typical Milestones:
- 0-6 months: Reaching and grasping objects, bringing hands to mouth.
- 6-12 months: Using a pincer grasp to pick up small objects.
- 1-2 years: Scribbling, stacking blocks.
- 3-4 years: Drawing simple shapes, using utensils to feed themselves.
- 5-6 years: Cutting with scissors, tying shoes.
- Children with Delayed Milestones:
- Delays may be seen in developing fine motor coordination, such as difficulty with using utensils, holding a pencil, or completing puzzles.
- They may struggle with tasks like dressing themselves or engaging in activities requiring bilateral coordination (using both hands together).
2. Gross Motor Skills:
- Typical Milestones:
- 0-6 months: Rolling over, sitting up, reaching for objects.
- 1-2 years: Walking independently, climbing.
- 3-4 years: Running, jumping, throwing a ball.
- 5-6 years: Skipping, hopping on one foot.
- Children with Delayed Milestones:
- Some may demonstrate difficulty with motor planning and coordination (dyspraxia), which can affect tasks like jumping or balancing.
- They might prefer repetitive movements (e.g., spinning or rocking) rather than participating in typical play activities.
- Motor delays may also include issues with posture, body awareness, or muscle tone (either too stiff or too floppy).
3. Sensory Processing:
- Typical Milestones:
- 0-12 months: Reacting to loud noises or bright lights, showing comfort with soothing sensory inputs.
- 2-3 years: Seeking out different textures or exploring their environment with their senses.
- 3-5 years: Enjoying physical play, sensory-based activities (e.g., playing in sand).
- Children with Delayed Milestones:
- They may have sensory processing issues where they are either overly sensitive or under-sensitive to sensory stimuli (lights, sounds, textures).
- This can lead to sensory-seeking behavior (e.g., touching objects repeatedly) or sensory-avoidant behavior (e.g., covering ears in response to noise).
- Children may have difficulty with tolerance to certain sensory experiences, like wearing certain clothing, or engaging in activities like brushing teeth or cutting hair.
4. Self-Care and Daily Living Skills:
- Typical Milestones:
- 2-3 years: Toilet training, helping with dressing (pulling up pants).
- 3-4 years: Washing hands, brushing teeth with assistance.
- 5-6 years: Dressing independently, using the toilet without assistance.
- Children with Delayed Milestones:
- Delays may occur in tasks such as dressing, eating independently, or engaging in toileting routines.
- They might have difficulty with routines and may resist changes in daily activities.
- Social and communication delays can also hinder their ability to follow instructions for self-care tasks.
5. Social and Communication Skills:
- Typical Milestones:
- 0-6 months: Eye contact, responding to familiar voices, cooing.
- 6-12 months: Babbling, imitating sounds, understanding simple words like “no.”
- 1-2 years: Speaking first words, using gestures.
- 3-5 years: Engaging in simple conversations, making friends, understanding social cues.
- Children with Delayed Milestones:
- Communication may be delayed or absent. Some children may have difficulty with verbal language, while others may use alternative communication methods (e.g., picture exchange systems).
- Social engagement may be limited; children may struggle with joint attention (sharing focus with others) or understanding social norms and cues.
- They might have repetitive speech (echolalia) and engage in self-directed or solitary play rather than cooperative play with peers.
6. Cognitive Skills:
- Typical Milestones:
- 6-12 months: Understanding object permanence (understanding that objects still exist even when not seen).
- 1-2 years: Simple problem solving, following simple commands.
- 2-3 years: Sorting shapes, understanding cause and effect.
- 3-5 years: Counting, understanding basic concepts (big vs. small).
- Children with Delayed Milestones:
- Cognitive milestones may be delayed or present differently. Some children with developmental delays may have areas of significant strength (e.g., memorizing facts) but struggle with more abstract thinking, such as understanding social situations or problem-solving in real-life contexts.
- Children may focus intensely on specific interests and show repetitive patterns of thinking.
7. Play Skills:
- Typical Milestones:
- 1-2 years: Pretend play (e.g., pretending to feed a doll), parallel play (playing next to others).
- 3-4 years: Cooperative play, taking turns.
- 5-6 years: Engaging in group games with rules, role-playing.
- Children with Delayed Milestones:
- Play may be solitary or repetitive, such as lining up toys or focusing on parts of toys rather than using them for imaginative play.
- Social play and imaginative play are often delayed or absent, though some children may develop their own unique play patterns.
- Difficulty understanding the concept of turn-taking or group play can affect social development.
Occupational Therapy for Delayed Milestones
OT can provide significant benefits by working on:
- Sensory Integration: Helping children manage sensory sensitivities and integrate sensory information in daily life.
- Motor Skills: Promoting fine and gross motor skills through play-based activities.
- Daily Living Skills: Teaching children to be more independent in tasks like dressing, grooming, and feeding.
- Social Skills: Using social stories and role-playing to improve communication and social interaction.
Ultimately, occupational therapy helps children with developmental delays achieve functional independence, develop essential life skills, and enhance their ability to participate in everyday activities.
