• How do I know if a child needs occupational therapy services?
• How do I know if my preschool child (3-5 yrs) needs occupational therapy services?
• How do I know if my school-age child needs occupational therapy services?

How do I know if a child needs occupational therapy services?

• As an infant was unusually fussy, difficult to console and easily startled
• Difficulty regulating sleep/wake cycles such as setling for sleep, staying asleep, and waking without irritability
• Over-reacts to touch, taste, sounds or odors due to over-sensitivity to stimulation
• Strongly dislikes baths, haircuts, or nail cutting
• Does not use the appropriate amount of force when handling objects, coloring, writing, or when interacting with siblings and pets
• Poor muscle tone, fatigues easily, leans on people, or slumps in a chair
• Slow to roll over, creep, sit, stand, or walk, or to achieve other motor milestones
• Clumsy, falls frequently, bumps into furniture or people, and has trouble judging position of body in relation to surrounding space
• Difficulty learning new tasks; experiences frustration when attempting to follow instructions or sequencing steps for an activity
• Avoids playground activities, physica education class  and/or sports
• Does not enjoy age-appropriate motor activities such as jumping, swinging, climbing, drawing, cutting, and assembling puzzles or writing
• Finds it difficult to make friends with children of the same age, prefers to play with adults or younger children than peers

• A child may be referred for an occupational therapy evaluation or treatment if difficulties are seen in several of these areas or if one area causes major functional problems

How do I know if my preschool (3-5 yrs) needs occupational therapy services?

• Says "I can't" or "I won't" to age appropriate self-care or play activities
• Low muscle tone; seems weak or floppy
• Clumsy, falls frequently
• Bumps into furniture or people, has trouble judging body position in relation to space around him / her
• Breaks toys or crayons easily
• Does not enjoy jumping, swings or having feet off the ground
• Dislikes coloring in lines, doing puzzles or cutting with scissors
• Delayed language development
• Overly active, unable to slow down, moves quickly from one toy to another
• Difficulty focusing attention, or over-focused and unable to shift to the next task
• Dislikes bathing, cuddling, or haircuts
• Over-reacts to touch, taste, sounds, or odors
• Avoids playground activities
• Unable to settle down, sleep difficulties
• Needs more practice than other children to learn new skills

• If your child is experiencing 3 or more problems on this checklist, occupational therapy intervention may be helpful

How do I know if my school-age child needs occupational therapy services?

• Difficulty focusing attention or over-focused and unable to shift to the next task
• Low muscle tone; tends to lean on arms or slumps at desk
• Needs more practice than other children to learn new skills
• Reverses letters such as b and d; can't space letters on the lines
• Breaks pencils frequently or writes with heavy pressure
• Does not enjoy jumping, swings or having feet off the ground
• Dislikes handwriting, tires quickly during written class work
• Difficulty paying attention or following instructions
• Overly active, unable to slow down
• Poor self-esteem, lack of confidence
• Dislikes swimming, bathing, hugs, and / or hair cuts
• Over-reacts to touch, taste, sounds, or odors
• Avoids physical education or sports activities
• Finds it difficult to make friends with children of the same age, prefers to play with adults or younger children rather than peers
• Difficulty following several step instructions for motor tasks

• If your child is experiencing 3 or more problems on this checklist, occupational therapy interventions may be helpful