Signs Your Child Might Need Occupational Therapy 

Whether it is strengthening head control during infancy, or developing motor planning skills during the teen years, there’s a wide range of skills occupational therapists can help children work on throughout their adolescence. While children develop at their own pace, there are some signs to be aware of that will tell you if your child would benefit from working with an occupational therapist. This blog aims to go through common signs, and how they may present in your child.  

10 Signs Your Child May Benefit from Occupational Therapy  

1. Poor Postural Control and Low Muscle Tone 

Does your child often slouch or struggle sitting upright in a chair? Does your child offer little resistance in their body to movement? If so, they may have low postural control or strength. Adequate postural control is important so that kids can access their arms while using utensils, writing, or doing crafts without the strain of focusing so hard to sit up. Often, children with low muscle tone and strength get fatigued easily, as their bodies must work harder during daily activities.  

2. Over or Under Reacts to Sensory Stimulation 

Our sensory systems work to regulate our bodies and mind throughout the day. When there is a disconnect, or they are not working together properly, it can cause avoidance or over respondence to daily tasks involving touch, taste, smells, or sounds. This can look like constant sensory seeking behavior or can present as meltdowns in a highly stimulated environment (loud noises, frequent touch, etc.).  

3. Hyperactivity and Trouble Focusing 

Does it feel like your child never sits still and is always on the go? Kids who have difficulty slowing down tend to bounce from one idea to the next before finishing what is in front of them. These kids may have a tough time sitting in school or waiting for their turn. Often these behaviors occur from underlying sensory or gross motor skills challenges.  

4. Difficulty with Heights and Movement 

Also known as gravitational insecurity, this is when a child does not have a good relationship with gravity. When the vestibular system, located in our ears, is not regulated kids may appear fearful of different movement positions or having their feet off the ground. They may avoid slides, swings, or get car sick.  

5. Difficulty During Transitions or Change of Plans 

Does your child have a tough time losing games, being flexible, or with a change in routine? Controlling behavior, resistance to a change in plans, or your child’s stress during normal transitions in the day-to-day schedule, can cause significant stress for your family that occupational therapy can help relieve.  

6. Difficulty or Frustration Learning New Motor Tasks  

Motor planning is our ability to create, execute, and problem solve an idea or action. Children who struggle in this area may give up on learning new tasks quickly, as having to work through the initial difficulty learning the skill overwhelms them. They also may find it difficult to successfully sequence daily activities. This can include things such as getting dressed in the morning or packing a backpack.  

7. A Picky, Sloppy, or Clumsy Eater 

Occupational therapists work on feeding with both picky eaters and those with oral motor challenges. If you notice your child overstuffing their mouth, having difficulty with drinking, a tough time managing different textures, and/or eating a limited diet, occupational therapy may be right for them. 

8. Poor Balance or Coordination 

Our proprioceptive system helps us know where our body is in space. Kids who have challenges regulating their proprioceptive system may frequently appear uncoordinated, fall frequently, and use too much or too little force when handling objects, coloring, writing or interacting with siblings and pets. 

9. Difficulty with Self-Care and Play 

Self-care activities include dressing, feeding, toileting, and other grooming tasks. Play activities can look like structured or unstructured collaborative play between peers, families, and teachers.  

10. Difficulty with Age-Appropriate Motor Skills  

As kids develop, they gain more skills to learn new activities. Some activities such as bike riding, ball games, drawing, cutting, or writing can be too hard due to foundational difficulties with sensory processing, fine motor, or gross motor skills. If your child appears “behind” in what they choose to engage in, occupational therapy can give them the skills and confidence to start exploring more age-appropriate activities. 

Kids develop at different rates and have their own personal likes and dislikes. However, it is important that kids can complete age-appropriate daily routines independently and with good engagement. If your child is exhibiting 3 or more problems on this list an occupational therapy evaluation and intervention may be beneficial in helping your child gain the skills to be more confident and comfortable throughout their days. 

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