Identifying Early Signs Your Child May Benefit from Occupational Therapy

Have you noticed your child struggling with tasks that seem to come naturally to other children? If so, they may benefit from occupational therapy.

The first thing to understand, though, is the signs that indicate they may benefit from occupational therapy. Once you do, you’ll be better positioned to determine whether your child needs occupational therapy or not and how to best support them.

Fortunately, this article will explore everything you need to know about paediatric occupational therapy, key developmental milestones your child should be meeting, and when to take them to see an occupational therapist (OT).

What is Occupational Therapy?

Occupational therapy is an allied health profession that assists individuals of all ages in overcoming mental, physical, and developmental limitations that impact their ability to participate in daily activities (functions).

Occupational therapists often work with children (and their parents), both with and without disabilities or who are experiencing developmental delays, with the ultimate goal of developing skills and increasing independence in daily life. They take a holistic approach to assessing and managing barriers, considering all factors of the individual and their experience to help them thrive in every facet of their life.

Understanding Developmental Milestones

A child’s developmental journey is marked by key milestones that unfold across different stages of their early life. For the purposes of this article, we’ll replicate those as listed in the Developmental Milestones and the Early Years Learning Framework by The Australian Children's Education & Care Quality Authority (ACECQA).

The Milestones are as follows:

• Birth - 4 Months: Moves whole body, smiles & laughs, cries, able to lift neck when lying, can grasp objects when put into hands, begins to roll from side to side.

• 4-8 Months: Plays with feet and toes, rolls from back to stomach, reaches for & grasps objects, responds to name, can take weight on feet, explores objects with mouth.

• 8-12 Months: Can stand and sit with assistance, uses hands to feed self, moves objects, makes gestures to communicate, waves goodbye, imitates actions & sounds.

• 1-2 Years: Walks, climbs, crawls up steps, drinks from a cup, uses a spoon/fork, seeks comfort when afraid, points to objects when named, calls self by name, enjoys music.

• 2-3 Years: Runs, kicks, jumps, avoids obstacles, opens doors, moves to music, uses a pencil to scribble/draw, plays with other children, recognises objects.

• 3-5 Years: Dresses easily, toilets themselves, feeds themselves without mess, holds a pencil between finger and thumb, may develop friendships, recounts stories, follows simple instructions.

It’s important to note that this list is not at all exhaustive. If you would like to know more about the full range of developmental stages and learning outcomes, check out the Developmental Milestones and the Early Years Learning Framework by ACECQUA.

Early Signs Your Child May Need Occupational Therapy

As a parent, it's natural to be concerned about whether your child is hitting the developmental milestones they should be. For this reason, we have come up with a list of early signs that occupational therapy services MAY be beneficial.

Keep in mind that these signs don’t necessarily mean that your child is experiencing a delay and needs intervention. Instead, they are more of a guide to help you monitor their progress and identify areas where they might benefit from some extra support.

Self-Care

• Difficulties with bathing, grooming, or dressing

• Are not toilet-trained by the age they are supposed to be

• Refuses to eat a variety of certain foods or food textures

• Experiences difficulties getting to or staying asleep

Fine Motor

• Difficulties using their hands for eating, playing, drawing, etc

• Difficulties with buttons, shoelaces, or zippers

• Difficulties using a fork or spoon when eating

• Persistent difficulties with handwriting

Gross Motor

• Troubles with tasks that require coordination & balance

• Difficulties with posture or sitting straight in a chair

• Avoidance of physical activity

• Always "on the go"

Sensory Processing

• Easily becomes overwhelmed by textures, sounds, or busy environments

• Engages in sensory-seeking behaviours, so much so that it impacts their attention and/or safety

• Frequent meltdowns & signs of distress when triggered by sounds or sensations

• Finds it difficult to be still and/or focus on a single task at a time

Emotions and Social Skills

• Gets upset easily

• Difficulties regulating their emotions

• Difficulties understanding others' emotions

• Difficulties with transitions

• Struggles to make or keep friends

• Struggles with understanding social cues

Play

• Tends not to include others in play

• Prefers to be alone or with others

• Difficulties initiating or sustaining play

• Challenges at playtime and in social settings

• Reluctant to participate in activities with family or other children.

• Doesn’t engage in pretend or imaginative play

What to Expect

When you visit Milestones Kids Therapy Hub, we will always start with an occupational therapy assessment, which is a comprehensive, multistep evaluation that assesses a child’s strengths, limitations, and barriers using a combination of standardised and non-standardised tools.

If specific difficulties are identified, we will develop a holistic, personalised therapy plan that targets functional goals to help your child achieve greater independence in their daily lives.

For information about what to expect, check out our article, What to Expect From Occupational Therapy Sessions at Milestones Kids Therapy Hub.

If you would like to book your child’s spot today, please fill out the form on our waitlist page, and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.