Occupational therapy promotes independence within all daily activities to achieve developmental milestones. It serves to improve strength, motor planning difficulties, self-care skills, gross motor coordination, balance, sensory processing, visual motor skills, visual perceptual skills, cognitive delays, fine motor difficulties, social interaction skills, and bimanual coordination in order for your child to access and participate in activities of daily living and play tasks independently and safely.
During an OT evaluation, the occupational therapist will assess:
Additionally, the occupational therapist will observe and identify presented impairments or deficits impacting independence within the home and community, including:
Most importantly, we will discuss with the caregivers what goals are most important to them and their child to ensure a collaborative approach to therapy where the parent and therapist goals are mutual. The goals should always emphasize skills that are of highest priority to the family and child.
The therapist will administer a standardized assessment which may be a questionnaire completed by the caregiver or a gross or fine motor assessment completed by the therapist with emphasis on child participation. If provided a questionnaire, it will typically emphasize information about your child’s independence with functional mobility at home and within the community, participation in self-care tasks, academic skills, and play skills. The assessment completed will provide the therapist with a greater understanding of your child’s ability to interpret sensory information, their overall strength, gross motor skills, and fine motor skills that impact your child’s ability to successfully participate in daily activities and access their play environment.
Through a standardized assessment and clinical observation with engagement in gross and fine motor tasks, the occupational therapist will identify any strength or range of motion deficits, difficulties with motor planning, fine motor delays, sensory processing deficits, visual motor integration concerns, or visual perceptual deficits that are negatively impacting your child’s ability to participate in various activities throughout their daily routine.
Depending on your child’s age and skill set, the therapist will cater activities to help identify areas that will aid in achieving developmental milestones.
If your child struggles with floor mobility for access to participation in play, the therapist may have your child participate in the following activities:
If your child struggles with task persistence, motor planning, or safety awareness, the therapist may have your child participate in the following activities:
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If your child struggles with balance, body awareness, or lower extremity strength for functional transitions, the therapist may have your child participate in the following activities:
If your child struggles with visual perceptual skills, visual motor skills, or fine motor coordination, the therapist may have your child participate in the following activities:
If your child struggles with bimanual coordination, grip strength, or upper extremity strength, the therapist may have your child participate in the following activities:
If your child struggles with functional transitions throughout their daily routine, the therapist may have your child participate in the following activities:
In addition, the occupational therapist will identify unintegrated reflexes impacting your child’s performance with functional mobility, functional transitioning, and activities of daily living. Reflex integration in occupational therapy aids improved sensory processing and motor coordination for improved fluidity of movement and promotes a comprehensive plan of care.
Upon completion of a caregiver interview, reviewing previous medical history, administration of a standardized assessment, occupational therapist clinical observation, and patient participation in other various therapeutic activities, the therapist will create meaningful and achievable goals to work towards each week based on the primary concerns of the caregiver and the identified deficits observed throughout the initial OT evaluation.
The goals will help to guide each therapy session with an intervention plan that will provide the “just right” challenge for your child to make gains weekly and be successful with the task provided. Each goal will be directed toward a life skill that will aid independence and promote improved quality of life.
During an OT evaluation, the therapist is there to answer any questions you may have to assist you to help your child in his or her daily routine and guide you on the right path! We can help to provide adaptive techniques, modifications of environment, and recommendations for equipment. Whether that be weekly services, intensive therapy, school services, in-home based services, or a comprehensive home program, the therapist will help to provide you with the resources you need to ensure your child is working towards achieving their fullest potential.
Throughout the evaluation, as a caregiver, you can expect to receive education, respect, and understanding for your concerns and your child.
With independence and participation in play and activities of daily living (ADLs) being the primary focus, each therapy session should be fun, including the evaluation! The goal of occupational therapy is to promote the greatest level of independence and quality of life for your child by identifying the building blocks for a comprehensive plan of care, empowering them to navigate challenges, and assisting them to achieve their biggest goals and the brightest future — all while having fun!
Kristen Balhorn is a pediatric occupational therapist at NAPA Center Denver. Her favorite activities include scuba diving underwater while exploring the deep sea creatures or traveling to the tips of the Colorado mountains to go snowboarding! If she had to choose any other job aside from being a NAPA therapist, she would choose to be a professional surfer!
NAPA Center is a global leader in pediatric therapy. We offer a multidisciplinary approach integrating physical, occupational, speech and feeding therapy. With clinics throughout the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia, we aim to bring hope to families worldwide by providing access to the best and most innovative therapies all under one roof.
Take the first step in supporting your child! Book a Free Discovery Session with a NAPA occupational therapist to discuss your child’s specific needs and discover if our weekly or intensive therapy programs are a good fit.
