Occupational Therapy in Elementary Schools
Occupational therapy (OT) helps children perform their daily living tasks, especially self-care and learning activities. Occupational therapy aims to help patients achieve independence. An occupational therapist in a school-based occupational therapy program will assist a child with improving handwriting, visual motor skills, coordination and strengthening of the fine motor skills.
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Identification
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Children who might need occupational therapy services include those with brain injuries or birth defects, sensory processing or sensory integration disorders, autism spectrum disorders, learning disabilities, or developmental disorders. Children who have illnesses such as arthritis, spina bifida, cancer, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy or other chronic conditions might also require OT services. Other candidates for OT services include children with burns or amputations or those recovering from an accident or surgery.
Symptoms
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Some signs that a child may require or would benefit from occupational therapy include trembling or weak hands; difficulty performing fine motor tasks such as writing, drawing or cutting; difficulty mastering gross motor milestones such as learning to ride a bike, hopping on one foot or skipping; difficulty with self-care activities such as dressing or brushing teeth; or an over- or undersensitivity to tactile or sensory input.
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Function
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When an occupational therapist begins working with a child, the first step will be to assess the child's current level of functioning in different areas. The therapist will address the weakness with activities and exercises (and possibly assistive devices) and build on the child's strengths. Periodic evaluations will be done to see how the child is progressing toward his occupational therapy goals.
Features
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Occupational therapy exercises may include fun games and activities involving art materials, balls or bean bags, among others. An occupational therapist will also help a child learn to use assistive devices such as splints, wheelchairs, slings, communication aids or other tools that may help a child perform better academically or with self-care functions.
Time Frame
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How long a child will require occupational therapy services will depend on the child's individual needs. A child who is struggling with handwriting may only require sessions on a weekly basis for a semester or two, depending on the cause and how well she responds to the program. A child with a chronic illness or disability may require long-term therapy on a more regular basis. It's important that the child does her assigned homework for occupational therapy. Any work a therapist assigns has an important purpose; the more faithfully the child practices, the better her skills will become.
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