Occupational Therapy

At Donna Klein & Associates our Occupational Therapists focus on a child’s “occupation”. A child’s occupation is the ability to play, perform in school, and interact with people and objects at a developmentally appropriate level.   A child’s ability to engage in all these tasks requires fine motor functioning of the hands, gross motor functioning of the whole body, adequate sensory processing, perceptual motor skill, visual motor integration and the ability to put it all together for learning. 

Our Occupational Therapists utilize their training and expertise in neurology, neuroanatomy, motor learning, hand functioning, perception, orthopedics and development to focus on the following areas:

Fine Motor Deficits (hand functioning)
Visual Motor and Perceptual Motor deficits
Handwriting Remediation
Emotional Adjustment
Peer Relationships
Play Skills
School Related Tasks
Feeding / eating tolerance
Gross Motor Deficits (total body coordination)
Motor control
Self Care Skills
Attention to task

How do I know my child needs Occupational Therapy?

The following concerns often identify the need for OT …

Avoidance of or difficulty in social situations
Difficulty at children’s birthday parties
Avoidance / limited interest in coloring, writing &/or scissors
Lack of confidence in oneself
Being a “picky eater”
Difficulty dressing oneself
Difficulty with writing skills
Being a “daredevil” in the playground
Having to watch others before engaging in unfamiliar motor tasks
Difficulty using a pencil or scissor
Difficulty copying from the blackboard
Limited play skills
Avoiding constructional toys (i.e. Lego’s, blocks, puzzles)
Difficulty manipulating small objects (i.e. Buttons, zippers)
Difficulty with age appropriate sports
Difficulty with ball skills
Avoidance of Playground equipment
           
Please note: If you have said “yes” to at least one of the above items your child would likely benefit from Occupational Therapy services.