Occupational therapy (OT) is a health profession that helps people across the lifespan to participate in age-appropriate activities.
Pediatric occupational therapists assist children with disabilities to participate in their daily childhood occupations such as school, play, self-care and social skills. Occupational therapists develop individualized plans and goals after conducting evaluations and family interviews to help promote independence in daily activities. Therapeutic intervention involves various techniques and strategies to teach children to learn and/or regain skills that are essential.
Did you know we actually have 7 senses? They include hearing, sight, taste, smell, touch (tactile), vestibular, and proprioception. Sensory processing disorder is when one of these systems are not working correctly – by giving too much or too little information to our brain when activated.
What is our vestibular system? This is the system which is activated by speed or directionality of movement; our balance or head positioning. The vestibular system tells us when we are moving while riding an elevator, swinging, or walking on a straight line.
What is proprioception? This system is our awareness of our body in space. The proprioceptive system tells us when we are receiving deep pressure, touching our nose with our eyes closed, or pushing a crayon down too hard on the page when coloring.
Autism, or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), is a group of various complex brain development disorders. Autism Spectrum disorder is found when either social interaction, verbal and nonverbal communication, or certain repetitive behaviors are impacting function for an individual. There are varying degrees in which an individual can be affected by Autism, but they can still excel in either visual skills, music, math, or art. Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder benefit from therapy to assist in motor coordination and attention skills.