OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY (OT)
An occupational therapist helps people (including kids) do things they want and need to do through therapeutic use of daily activities, or “occupations.” Of course, a child’s primary occupation is playing! Other occupations might include going to school, participating in daily routines and developing life skills. When kids are not reaching their full functioning potential, an occupational therapist can help them become more successful and independent. If you have any questions about your child's development or would like to schedule an occupational therapy evaluation, please reach out to us!
When should I seek an occupational therapy evaluation for my child?
Kids develop at their own pace. But there is a natural progression for skills such as fine motor, vision, eye-hand coordination, self-care and sensory processing. Missing those marks does not necessarily mean your child has a disorder! However, the skills below have been placed in a delayed age bracket so they should be expected by that time. If not, consider an evaluation.
By 3 Months
• Brings hands to mouth
• Starts swinging at toys with whole arm
• Follows a person moving in room with eyes
• Enjoys being held
• Does not gag, choke or lose milk when bottle or breast fed
• Sleeps a total of 16-18 hours per day
By 6 Months
• Reaches with both arms
• Transfers rattle from one hand to another
• Holds hands together
• Enjoys being held
• Does not gag, choke or lose milk when bottle or breast fed
• Sleeps a total of 14-16 hours per day
By 9 Months
• Takes object to mouth
• Pokes at object using index finger
• Holds bottle with both hands to feed self
• Plays with own hands
• Sleeps a total of 14 hours per day
By 12 Months
• Feeds self with hands
• Grabs crayons with a fisted grip
• Claps hands
• Releases a toy
• Does not mind getting messy when eating or exploring foods
• Sleeps a total of 14 hours per day
By 18 Months
• Scoops food with spoon
• Bangs objects together
• Does not mind getting messy when eating or exploring foods
• Sleeps a total of 13-14 hours per day
By 2 Years
• Scribbles with crayon or marker
• Stacks 3-4 blocks
• Turns book pages one at a time
• Turns door knob
• Removes socks and shoes
• Interested in helping put on clothes
• Interested in a larger variety of food
• Plays alone, limited interaction with other kids
• Sleeps 12-14 hours per day
By 3 Years
• Snips/cuts paper
• Strings beads
• Draws a circle
• Removes elastic waist pants
• Likes a variety of foods
• Observes other children playing around him or her, but does not play with them
• Starts an interest in imaginative play
• Sleeps 12-14 hours per day
By 4 Years
• Uses a fork to poke food
• Cuts across paper
• Draws a cross
• Gets dressed without help (might need help to determine front and back of clothes)
• Begins to use dominant hand
• Buttons/unbuttons
• Zips jacket
• Likes a variety of foods
• Plays alongside others, but does not engage with them
• Engages in imaginative play
• Sleeps 11-13 hours per day
By 5 Years
• Laces shoes
• Draws a square
• Prints first name
• Draws a person with 6 parts
• Cuts out simple geometric shapes
• Uses fork and spoon well
• Likes a variety of foods
• Plays by interacting with others
• Engages in imaginative play
• Sleeps 11-13 hours per day
By 6 Years
• Prints all alphabet using uppercase and lowercase letters
• Ties bows; attempts to tie shoes
• Builds various designs with blocks
• Plays with other children with shared goals, more complex imaginative play
• Sleeps 10-11 hours per day
Ages 7-12
• Becomes independent with daily hygiene and self-care tasks
• Participates in simple meal prep
• Completes simple to more complex daily chores at home
• Handwriting becomes more refined
• Uses a butter knife to cut food
• Pours drinks from a container
• Plays with more interest and refined skills such as sports, games, outings with peers