The work of a child is to play, to interact and to learn from their environment. The word "occupation" in occupational therapy refers to this "work." Our occupational therapists are skilled at evaluating and treating the varied developmental, sensory, neuromotor and cognitive factors that impede a child from developing and enjoying their daily experiences.

As a child grows he must also gain skills in areas which make him an independent person. The development of self-help skills includes independence in dressing, feeding, bathing and manipulation of objects in the environment such as doorknobs and light switches. The child needs to be able to pour himself a cup of water, pick up his toys and give a loved one a hug.

A child must also be able to keep himself calm, alert and attentive while engaged in these or other typical childhood activities. If the child has difficulty engaging in day to day activities the skills of an occupational therapist may be necessary to help develop, rehabilitate or in many cases, make adaptations for the child to become independent. 

Fine Motor Issues that Alert a Need for a Pediatric Occupational Therapy Referral

1. Child who has significant weakness in upper trunk and shoulders and is unable to prop on forearms to lift head and look at toys, people by 4 months.

2. Child who does not have head control and/or trunk control to reach with arms to interact with toys appropriate for age.

3. Child who has atypical muscle tone which limits ability to use head, eyes and/or hands together to explore environment.

4. Child shows difficulty with fine motor/poor use of hands that is significantly different than same age peers.

5. Child is unable to use both hands together to hold bottle or cup and/or to play with toys, string beads, put Lego's together, etc.

6. Child who lacks motor coordination to take off/put on clothing items (socks, shirt, coat etc.) by age 3.

7. Child who lacks motor coordination to finger feed by 10 months and to spoon feed by 20 months.

Sensory Issues that Alert a Need for a Pediatric Occupational Therapy Referral

1.       Difficulty establishing a sleep/wake cycle or difficulty with self-regulation skills; is seen as an irritable infant who does not adapt to environmental changes or cannot self-calm

2.       Difficulty using vision and motor skills together (e.g. scoop food onto spoon and locate mouth, catch and throw a ball, move about environment without running into things)

3.   Undersensitivity or oversensitivity to touch, movement, and/or sounds (e.g. a child who is sensitive to texture of clothing and/or has a significant intolerance to bathing or tooth brushing, fearful of playground equipment or having feet off the ground); is overwhelmed by sounds in his/her environment or easily becomes upset by changes in routine.

4.       Inability to keep up in play situations with other children (e.g. child sits in the corner by himself instead of playing with peers); may seem confused or overwhelmed in play; appears to have difficulty knowing how to play with toys or does not display motor planning required to play with new toys; may break toys

5.       Unawareness of others and/or his/her environment; makes no attempt to engage in social interaction and/or has decreased eye contact with others

6.       Shows poor safety awareness