Occupational Therapy

6776 Lake Drive Suite 220 | Lino Lakes | MN | 55014
Phone 651.784.7007 | Fax 651.784.7992

Children are often referred to occupational therapists when they have difficulty with:

SELF-CARE

Dressing

Toileting

Grooming

Feeding

Home Care

Meal Preparation

SENSORIMOTOR
Visual Motor and visual perceptual Includes, but not limited to:

Difficulty with building blocks as young child

Difficulty putting puzzles together

Difficulty drawing well with crayon or marker

Difficulty recognizing similarities and differences in patterns

Difficulty with handwriting

Sensory Integration difficulties:

Tactile - includes seeking out touch by rubbing/pushing others or objects, resisting touch of others, objects, or clothes, bed-wetting, etc.

Vestibular - includes avoiding or seeking movement activities, becoming anxious when feet leave the ground, rocking unconsciously, becoming easily car sick, etc.

Proprioception - includes poor coordination, appearing clumsy, using too much force, using too much pressure for writing, etc.

Oral sensory - includes gagging with food textures, having a strong preference for certain foods, mouthing on non-food objects, etc.

Auditory - includes responding negatively to loud noises, easily distracted around a lot of noise, not responding when name is called, etc.

Regulatory functions - difficulty sleeping, adapting to change, transitioning

Upper extremity muscle strength

Eye-hand coordination

Fine motor skills - grasp, pinch, dexterity, etc.

Occupational therapists can also assist with:

	COGNITION: Attention span Learning concepts (e.g. cause and effect) Following directions Memory Sequencing Compensatory techniques
	PSYCHOSOCIAL: Social Skills: Initiation Termination Cooperative behavior Leisure interests Self-expression Coping skills Decrease negative behaviors