Occupational Therapy for Kids

By: Froza MercadoAudience: Parents

What is Occupational Therapy?

“Occupational therapy is a holistic health

care profession that aims to promote health

by enabling individuals to perform

meaningful and purposeful activities across

the lifespan” -Diffen

Who can benefit from OT?

Individuals who have conditions that are:

Mentally Physically Developmentally Emotionally…disabling.

What is a Child’s Occupation?

EXPLORE &

PLAY!!

How to know if your child needs OT

Has your child suffered a major trauma or injury?

Does your child suffer from an illness, condition, or disease?

Has your child been developing abnormally? Does your child lack complete and normal

functioning of upper and lower extremities?

If you answered yes to any of the questions above, then you should consider OT for your

child.

Examples of Trauma that Require OT

Stroke

Shaken Baby Syndrome

Car accident injury

Any accident that impairs daily function

Examples of Congenital Diseases

that Require OT Cerebral Palsy Antley-Bixler Syndrome Prader-Willi Syndrome Spina Bifida Fragile X Syndrome Missing or Undeveloped Limbs

Developmental Milestones

Motor skills: Can face head straight when on back Can lift head while lying on tummy Can turn from side to back Stretching & Kicking more Can grasp & hold on to toy for a few

seconds

Birth-3 Months

Birth-3 Months

Hearing: Responds to external stimuli Responds to your voice

Vision: Able to focus on your face Examine colors, sizes, shapes Examine his/her own hands &

feet

Developmental Milestones

Motor Skills: Able to wiggle arms and legs Able to rock on stomach and

eventually rolls over Have better head control Able to lift head while on

laying on belly May even try to push

themselves up or bear some weight on legs

4-6 Months

4-6 Months Hand-Eye Coordination:

Able to grasp your finger Able to rattle a soft object Able to place objects in mouth

4-6 Months Vision:

Able to distinguish between strange and familiar faces

Able to concentrate on a toy Able to turn head toward bright colors Studying fingers and toes Staring at his or her reflection

7-9 Months Motor Skills:

Able to roll over in both directions May be able to sit on their own May be able to scoot, rock back & forth, or

crawl May be able to pull themselves up into

standing

Developmental Milestones

7-9 Months Hand-Eye Coordination:

Able to transfer objects from one hand to another

Able to transfer objects directly into their mouths

Able to pull objects closer with a raking motion of the hands

10-12 Months Motor Skills:

Able to sit without help Able to pull themselves to a standing

position Able to do creeping and crawling Able to cruise along the furniture By 12 months, he/she may be able to

take first steps without support

Developmental Milestones

10-12 Months Hand-Eye Coordination:

Able to feed themselves finger foods Able to grasp items between the thumb

& forefinger. Able to bang two objects together Able to stack objects (i.e. blocks)

How to get started Observe your child in daily activity Talk to your primary health care

physician Get a referral to an OT Do research on your OT. Check

credentials. Discuss your child’s needs with the

OT Be updated & involved in your child’s

treatment plan

Supporting your child’s OT needs

Buy the

right toys

Do Projects at Home Work on fine motor

skills: Drawing Coloring/Painting Tying knots Arts & Crafts Play Dough

Pinterest: OT at your FingertipsFun activities for your kids!!

Remember…

Enhancing your child’s developmental skills means constant practice, use, and reinforcement.

References Diffen. (2013). Occupational therapy vs. physical

therapy. Retrieved from http://www.diffen.com/difference/Occupational_Therapy_vs_Physical_Therapy

Mayo Clinic Staff. (2010, June 08). Infant development. Retrieved from: http://www.mayoclinic.org/infantdevelopment/art-20048012

The imagination tree. (2014, January 07). Retrieved from http://theimaginationtree.com/category/age/agetoddler