Occupational TherapySouth Main Clinic February 28, 2013By: Sheri Montgomery, Daniel Roberts, Debbie Thomas, and Shelley Woeste

Occupational Therapy promotes function and engagement in daily habits and routines.

The “occupation” of life skills.

Areas of Occupation

• Activities of Daily Living

• Fine and Gross Motor Skills

• Rest and Sleep• Work• Play and Leisure• Social

Participation• Education

Activities of Daily Living

Dressing

Grooming; combing hair, brushing teeth

Bathing

Doing Laundry

Cooking

Managing Money

Being safe in all environments

Meal time help with feeding and foods

Fine and Gross Motor

Skills• Interacting and

manipulating objects• Coloring and writing• Visual motor and

visual perception tasks like puzzles, mazes and game

• Fastening zippers, buttons, and snaps

• Moving from the floor to standing

• Running, jumping, hopping, playing on the playground

Work and Play/Leisure

Help with finding appropriate employment

Offer suggestions to modify the task or environment for success

Assist with training to learn the skills needed

Develop social skills for the job

Learn about money management

Help with interaction and manipulation of toys and objects

Improve turn taking skills

Help to develop social skills

Improve motor skills

Develop problem solving skills and abilities

Create interest in tasks and activities

Social Participation

Manage Emotions

Develop self-advocacy skills

Strengthen family bonds

Create routines and schedules

Develop social skills

Occupational Therapy

• Direct services• Service

Coordination• Referrals to

others• Consultation• Family Education

and Training• Offer positioning

ideas• Ensure safety• Promote sensory

rich experiences

How Can Occupational Therapy Help?

Occupational Therapists team with families to care for children and promote growth and development in natural environments where families live, work, and play.

Occupational Therapists respect the unique interests, cultural, needs and priorities of the child and family and build on their strengths and abilities

Occupational Therapists support children and families to be successful in their everyday routines.

Occupational Therapists modify activities or the environment so that individuals can participate independently or with others.

Occupational Therapists work closely with the families to identify their needs.

What Can Parents and Families Do

Encourage sensory rich play by using balls, sand and water toys, slides, swings, finger paints and magnets. During sensory play, children use their senses to as they explore, discover, examine, and organize their activities.

Encourage manipulative play, such as using play dough, playing cards, stacking blocks or boxes, putting coins into a piggy bank, LEGOS, and board games. Toys such as puzzles, pegboards, beads, lacing cards, and hand writing to help improve the child’s eye-hand coordination and dexterity.

Promote imaginative or pretend play with things like dolls and stuffed animals, toy furniture, puppets and telephones. Pretend play encourages creativity and role playing and provides an opportunity to rehearse social skills.

Choose toys that are appropriate to the child’s age and/or maturity level. Common objects, such as pots and pans, empty boxes, spools of thread, shoelaces, and wooden spoons are readily accessible and encourage children to use their imagination.

Encourage children to participate in sports and games that could improve visual, motor, and coordination skills, such as playing ball, jacks, marbles, and outdoor sports.

Recommended Toys and Activities

INFANTS

Rattles, mobiles, playmats, mirrors, crib toys, infant swings, teething toys, busy boxes and squeeze toys

TODDLERS AND PRESCHOOLERS

Blocks, stacking rings, pegboards, shape sorters, push and pull toys, balls, books, sand and water toys, large beads, movement games, toy cars and trucks, train sets, dolls, and musical toys

SCHOOL-AGED CHILDREN

Building sets, books, playground activities, bicycles, board games, crafts, performing art experiences-musical instruments, plays, and beginning sports

MIDDLE SCHOOLERS AND ADOLESCENTS

Athletics, books, performing arts, after school activities, clubs, hobbies, crafts, and limited screen time

Community and Home

Promote safe environments

Promote safe transportation

Increase ease in transitions

Facilitate participation in community activities

Support social opportunities within the community

Establish healthy sleep and nap schedules

Design safe play and work areas

Support family caretaking abilities

Assist with routine regarding homework