Occupational therapists help children achieve goals related to fine motor skills, sensory processing, activities of daily living, and feeding.  We want to accomplish each child’s unique therapeutic goals through a combination of strategies, including exercises, games, equipment, tools and modalities, and home activities the whole family can participate in.

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Does My Child Need Occupational Therapy?

There are a variety of problems and conditions that may be improved by occupational therapy treatments. Children with special needs, as well as those with the following conditions, will benefit from occupational therapy:

 

• Feeding and diet sensitivities

• Sensorimotor skills

• Sensory integration

• Body and spatial awareness

• Activities of daily living (ADLs)

• Self-care skills

• Social and peer interaction skills

• Visual-motor integration

• Visual perceptual skills

• Fine motor control and coordination

• Gross motor control and coordination

 

What Should I Notice as a Parent?

​Parents know their children better than anyone.  Our occupational therapists always want to know what the parents are seeing at home.  Here are some signs that your child may need occupational therapy:

 

• Using silverware or straws age appropriately

• Difficulty with zippers, buttons, shoelaces

• Coloring, drawing, tracing, prewriting shapes age appropriately

• Not developing a hand dominance at an age-appropriate time

• Avoiding tasks and games that require fine motor skills

• Avoids or has difficulty going up and down stairs

• Difficulty coordinating both sides of the body

• Noticeably poor balance

• Fearful of feet leaving the ground

• Does not cross the mid-line of their body playing or doing tasks

• Overly sensitive or heightened reactivity to sound, touch, or movement

• Under-responsive to certain sensations (e.g., high pain tolerance, doesn't notice cuts/bruises)

• Easily distracted by visual or auditory stimuli

• Emotionally reactive

• Inability to calm self when upset

• Difficulty with imitative play

• Participates in repetitive play for hours (e.g., lining up toys)

• Does not join in with peers/siblings when playing

 

As a parent you know your children better than anyone. So, if you see any of the above problems or conditions, Active Therapy, in Omaha, NE, can help your child.  Call 402-932-2888 to get your child the help they deserve.

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