Common Concerns About Your Child and How TT Can Help
My Child Has Trouble Writing
Handwriting is a complex blend of cognitive, motor, and visual skills. Early fine motor skills including grasping impact how a child holds their writing instrument. When looking at grasping skills a child’s grip strength, precision, and distal motor control can be affected by weakness closer to the body (core). Scribbling & generating letters on paper bring our visual and motor systems together to put meaningful images and thoughts on paper. Handwriting quality may be affected by a number of different areas that can be determined through occupational therapy. We are here to help determine why your child is experiencing difficulty with writing.
My Child Hates Tummy Time
Tummy time is very important for your baby's development, and should always be performed under parental supervision. It is essential in providing sensory input, elongating shortened musculature present from physiological flexion, and facilitating muscle strengthening, all of which contribute to a baby's ability to crawl, sit, stand, and eventually walk. Tummy time also plays an important role in visual processing and spatial organization. Starting early is usually your best bet, but a few pointers and modifications from Tiny Transformations can also create a more enjoyable experience.
My Child Is Sensitive to Sensory Input
Children who present with a sensitive sensory system may present with greater than normal responses to the visual, auditory, tactile & olfactory senses within their world. Children who are negatively affected by clothing, bath time, getting dirty, or touch may be experiencing hyper-sensitivity to sensory information within their environments. Desensitization, sensory exploration and grading sensory experiences through OT intervention may help to diminish intense reactions to sensory stimuli.
My Child Has Poor Attention
Does your child struggle to stay seated or to initiate/complete goal-directed tasks? Is your child exhibiting behavioral difficulties and/or shutting down when challenged? If so, he or she may be experiencing symptoms related to poor sensory processing, attention deficits, and difficulty with executive functioning. To improve participation at home and school, it is important to provide behavioral strategies, organizational support, and academic accommodations. We can assist with building structure and routine and providing strategies for success.
My Child Has a Head Tilt or Turn
Babies may demonstrate a head tilt or head turn preference at birth, or over the first few months of life. This condition, known as Torticollis, results from a tightening of the sternocleidomastoid, which is a muscle on the side of the neck. Early intervention is recommended and treatment includes positioning techniques, stretches, and simple exercises.
My Child Is A Picky Eater
Mealtime is an early opportunity for a child to make choices and indicate preferences. Always remember that mealtime should be FUN and enjoyable—for you and your child. An aversion to certain foods may indicate a sensitivity to unfamiliar textures, so be careful when forcing your toddler to eat. We can help parents by incorporating new foods, textures, and exciting kid-friendly techniques to improve mealtime.
My Child Has Trouble Seeing the Board
Visual processing is the process of making sense of what we see. In order for our eyes to work well with our other body systems, it is necessary that the brain interprets information and coordinates effectively with motor systems, enabling our children to integrate their eyes and hands. Writing on the line or spacing letters appropriately is impacted by visual processing. Copying homework or important information from the board relies on appropriate integration of the eyes, hands and postural system.
My Child Has Trouble Getting Ready for School
Generally speaking, a multi-step routine is more challenging for children then we think. Is getting dressed the problem or does your child need frequent cuing to move through the many steps of the morning grind? Some children benefit from support to improve multi-step processing, task completion and attention. Some children may need more support with the challenges of buttoning, shoe lace tying, & zippering. The process of “getting ready” encompasses many goals within occupational therapy. If your child is experiencing difficulty with self-help skills, following a routine or initiating multi-step activities, he or she may benefit from an occupational therapy evaluation.
My Child Seems Uncoordinated
Developmental coordination is impacted by a child's ability to process sensory information from their environment, as well as their strength and muscle tone. A child’s vestibular system and how they process proprioceptive input directly impacts balance, body awareness & safety. We measure developmental coordination by the child's ability to navigate their environment. If your child frequently falls, is clumsy, or seems unaware of their body, we can perform an evaluation to determine the underlying components impacting coordination.