Why would my child need Occupational Therapy?

Please consider Occupational Therapy when your child (who is at least 4 years of age) exhibits one or more of the following symptoms:

  • Struggles with tracing and/or copying basic shapes and letters, drawing, and colouring
  • Struggles with scissoring skills
  • Struggles with handwriting
  • Displays an awkward pencil grasp which reduces the quality of graphic output (e.g. a jerky line)
  • Demonstrates extra effort with fine motor performance (e.g., moving trunk or lifting shoulder during fine motor tasks)
  • Keeps switching hands while colouring and writing; hasn’t yet established a dominant hand
  • Struggles with block construction and/or puzzle assembly
  • Displays poor posture while sitting, or appears “floppy” and weak; gets tired easily
  • Lacks organizational skills; demonstrates short attention span
  • Low self-confidence and self-esteem is indicated; easily frustrated, avoids tasks that require motor skills

What about children with Developmental Coordination Disorder?

All children develop at varying rates and this is normal. However, around 6% of normal children experience a delay in the development of their motor skills or motor coordination that results in the child being unable to perform everyday tasks easily. The child may appear clumsy and awkward and/or have difficulty learning and performing new motor tasks. Many of these children go undiagnosed until they reach school age when they present with a range of problems. Printing or writing accuracy and speed are the most common.

Teachers and parents who are with a child every day may be the first to notice the functional difficulties that a child is experiencing. Children with motor coordination difficulties who are not recognized may experience failure and frustration and are often perceived as lazy or unmotivated. They may develop secondary complications such as learning difficulties, emotional, social or behavioural problems. These children benefit from early identification and intervention, which may include a referral to an occupational therapist.

How would I know if a child has motor coordination delays?

Physical characteristics might include some but not necessarily all of the following:
  • clumsy, awkward movements
  • accident prone or poor balance
  • difficulty with running, jumping, skipping, ball throwing or catching
  • difficulty cutting with scissors, using eating utensils or doing up buttons and small fasteners
  • delay in choosing handedness
  • awkward pencil grasp
  • avoidance of drawing and/or arts and crafts
  • slow, arduous printing or writing
Emotional/Behavioural characteristics
  • avoidance of activities with physical demands whether it be gross or fine motor
  • low frustration tolerance
  • lack of motivation
  • poor social skills
  • resistance to changes in routine
  • disorganization
  • poor attention
  • low self-esteem

If I think a child has motor delays how do I get help?

Talk to an Occupational Therapist. Occupational Therapists are educated and trained in analyzing normal child development and also in determining the ability of a child to cope with the demands and activities of everyday life. They can also help parents and teachers develop a better understanding of the movement problems that a child is experiencing and how to help the child.

So how exactly can an Occupational Therapy help a child with Autism Spectrum Disorder?

Many children with ASD demonstrate difficulties with sensory and motor regulation and could benefit from the intervention of an occupational therapist. Problems with sensory regulation is now generally referred to as sensory modulation, which includes both physiological reactions and behaviour responses and refers to the child’s ability to regulate and organize appropriate responses to sensory-based situation and demands. Occupational therapists are uniquely trained to address the sensory and motor deficits experienced by children with ASD.

Still have questions and/or concerns? Want more information?

I would be happy to provide parents or caregivers with a free telephone consultation to review the need for an OT assessment or plan. Contact me to schedule one.