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Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapy is designed to help children develop the skills necessary to thrive in their daily lives and support development. By working closely with an occupational therapist, you can gain valuable insights and strategies to support your child’s growth and development, helping them to overcome challenges and achieve their goals.

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Fine Motor Coordination & Handwriting refers to the ability to use the small muscles of the hands and fingers in a coordinated and precise manner. Handwriting, as a specific example, involves the application of fine motor coordination to produce written communication. Examples of when fine motor coordination is used : when using eating utensils, zippering a jacket.

What are signs my child is experiencing challenges with Fine Motor Coordination or Handwriting?
  • Difficulty with activities that require precise hand-eye coordination, such as threading beads or using scissors.
  • Challenges in activities that involve fine motor control, such as buttoning clothes, tying shoelaces, or using zippers.
  • Inability to stay within lines while coloring or difficulty with intricate coloring tasks.
  • Avoidance or frustration towards writing tasks, reluctance to engage in activities that involve fine motor skills.
  • Poor pencil grip, with fingers positioned awkwardly or unable to maintain a stable grip.
  • Inconsistent letter formation, with letters appearing distorted, uneven, or incorrectly sized.
  • Excessive pressure on the writing surface, resulting in smudged or torn paper.
  • Slow or labored handwriting, taking an unusually long time to complete written assignments.

Sensory Integration Processing is the way our brain interprets & responds to sensory information from our environment. Addressing sensory processing challenges can help children better regulate their responses to sensory input, provide better focus and improve their overall participation and functioning in daily activities.

What are signs my child is experiencing challenges with sensory processing?
  • Overreaction or sensitivity to certain sensory stimuli, such as becoming easily overwhelmed or distressed by loud noises, bright lights, or certain textures.
  • Underreaction or seeking out intense sensory input, such as constantly seeking out movement, touch, or deep pressure.
  • Difficulty with transitions or changes in routine, becoming upset or anxious when faced with unexpected or new situations.
  • Avoidance of certain activities or environments due to sensory discomfort or fear of sensory overload.
  • Challenges with self-regulation, such as difficulty calming down, staying focused, or maintaining attention in sensory-rich environments.

Visual & Perceptual Skills, refer to the ability to interpret and make sense of visual information from our environment. These skills involve tasks such as recognizing shapes, letters, and numbers, understanding spatial relationships, and coordinating eye movements for activities like reading and writing. Occupational therapists work with children to develop and improve these skills, enabling them to better navigate and interact with their surroundings.

What are signs my child is experiencing challenges with visual or perceptual skills?
  • Difficulty recognizing or differentiating between shapes, letters, or numbers.
  • Struggles with copying or reproducing shapes, letters, or written work accurately.
  • Trouble with spatial awareness, such as understanding the arrangement of objects in relation to oneself or to each other.
  • Challenges with hand-eye coordination, leading to difficulty in tasks like catching a ball or threading a needle.
  • Difficulty following instructions that involve visual cues, such as understanding and executing a sequence of steps or directions.
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Executive Functioning refers to a set of cognitive skills that help us plan, organize, and carry out tasks successfully. It involves skills such as problem-solving, decision-making, time management, and self-control, which are essential for goal-oriented behaviors and independent functioning in daily life.

What are signs my child is experiencing challenges with executive functioning?
  • Struggling to keep track of belongings or complete tasks in a timely manner.
  • Difficulty estimating how long tasks will take or frequently running late.
  • Struggling to come up with solutions to problems or making impulsive choices.
  • Acting without thinking about the consequences or difficulty controlling emotions and behaviors.
  • Difficulty with multitasking or shifting between tasks, becoming overwhelmed or easily distracted.

Social Skills refer to the abilities and behaviors that allow individuals to interact effectively and appropriately with others. These skills involve communication, cooperation, empathy, and understanding social cues, which are important for building relationships, making friends, and participating successfully in social activities.

What are signs my child is experiencing challenges with social skills?
  • Difficulty initiating or maintaining conversations, often struggling to engage in back-and-forth communication.
  • Limited understanding of social cues or body language, finding it challenging to interpret facial expressions, tone of voice, or gestures.
  • Trouble with taking turns, sharing, or cooperating in group settings or during play activities.
  • Lack of empathy or understanding of others' perspectives, finding it difficult to recognize or respond to others' emotions.
  • Difficulty making and maintaining friendships, experiencing challenges in forming and sustaining relationships with peers.

Emotional Regulation skills, in occupational therapy, refer to the ability to understand, manage, and express emotions in a healthy and appropriate manner. These skills involve recognizing and coping with various emotions, self-regulating behaviors, and developing effective strategies to navigate and respond to different emotional experiences.

What are signs my child is experiencing challenges with emotional regulation?
  • Difficulty managing intense emotions, such as frequent outbursts of anger, sadness, or frustration that seem disproportionate to the situation.
  • Struggles with self-soothing or calming down when upset, often finding it hard to regulate their emotions independently.
  • Impulsive or reactive behaviors, acting without considering the consequences or engaging in risky behaviors during emotional distress.
  • Difficulty transitioning between different emotional states, experiencing challenges in shifting from one emotion to another.
  • Limited emotional awareness or understanding, finding it challenging to identify and label their own emotions or understand others' feelings.

Gross Motor Skills & Muscle Strength refer to the ability to use large muscle groups to perform movements and activities that involve the whole body, such as crawling, jumping, or throwing a ball. Muscle strength, on the other hand, relates to the power and endurance of the muscles, which is essential for maintaining posture, stability, and engaging in physical activities.

What are signs my child is experiencing challenges with gross motor skills or muscle strength?
  • Difficulty with coordination and balance, such as frequently tripping, stumbling, or having trouble with activities that require precise movements.
  • Struggles with tasks that involve whole-body movements, like climbing stairs, riding a bike, or kicking a ball accurately.
  • Fatigue or lack of endurance during physical activities, tiring quickly or avoiding activities that require sustained effort.
  • Poor muscle tone or strength, appearing floppy or having difficulty maintaining a stable posture.
  • Challenges with activities that require upper body strength, like pushing, pulling, or lifting objects.

Balance & Coordination refer to the ability to control and coordinate movements in a smooth and controlled manner while maintaining stability and equilibrium. Balance involves maintaining an upright posture and stability, while coordination involves the synchronization of different body parts to perform tasks effectively and efficiently.

What are signs my child is experiencing challenges with balance or coordination?
  • Difficulty maintaining balance while standing, walking, or engaging in physical activities, leading to frequent falls or stumbling.
  • Poor coordination in tasks that involve using multiple body parts together, such as difficulties with catching or throwing a ball, or challenges with tying shoelaces.
  • Awkward or unsteady movements, appearing clumsy or having trouble with activities that require precise control and coordination, like using utensils or writing.
  • Challenges with spatial awareness and depth perception, often misjudging distances or bumping into objects.
  • Trouble with activities that involve bilateral coordination, such as hopping, skipping, or alternating movements between the right and left sides of the body.

Primitive/Retained Reflexes refer to reflexes that are typically present during infancy but should integrate (or become controlled/voluntary) as a child develops. When these reflexes persist beyond the expected age, they can interfere with the development of motor skills, coordination, and overall function, requiring therapeutic intervention to address and integrate them appropriately.

What are signs my child may have a primitive/retained reflex?
  • Challenges with handwriting, using utensils, or manipulating small objects.
  • Frequent tripping, stumbling, or difficulties with activities that require precise movements.
  • Sensory processing challenges, such as hypersensitivity or aversion to certain sensory stimuli, or seeking out intense sensory input.
  • Challenges with attention and focus, struggling to sustain attention, follow instructions, or complete tasks.
  • Emotional regulation difficulties, experiencing challenges with self-regulation, impulsivity, or emotional responses.
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Independence & Life Skills refer to a child’s ability to perform daily activities and tasks necessary for their self-care, productivity, and participation in the community. These skills include things like dressing, feeding oneself, personal hygiene, managing time and responsibilities, and engaging in meaningful activities with minimal assistance or support.

What are signs my child is experiencing challenges with independence or life skills?
  • Limited ability to participate in age-appropriate activities or responsibilities, exhibiting dependence on others for tasks that are typically performed independently.
  • Difficulty with self-care tasks, such as dressing, grooming, or feeding oneself independently for their age.
  • Challenges with time management and organization, struggling to keep track of schedules, complete tasks, or follow routines.
  • Lack of initiation or motivation to engage in activities of daily living, such as difficulty starting or completing tasks without constant reminders.
  • Trouble with basic problem-solving skills, finding it challenging to handle simple challenges or adapt to changes in routines or plans.
feeding

Feeding skills refer to a child’s ability to eat and drink independently, effectively, and safely. These skills involve various aspects such as self-feeding, using utensils, chewing, swallowing, and managing food textures and quantities.

What are signs my child is experiencing challenges with feeding related to occupational therapy?
  • Difficulty with self-feeding, such as struggles with holding utensils, bringing food to the mouth, or using appropriate biting and chewing techniques.
  • Sensory aversions or sensitivities to certain food textures, temperatures, or tastes, leading to refusal or avoidance of specific foods.
  • Limited oral motor skills, such as difficulties with coordinated chewing and swallowing, resulting in gagging, choking, or prolonged mealtimes.
  • Challenges transitioning from bottle or breast to solid foods, showing resistance or difficulties in accepting new food textures or flavors.
  • Unusual mealtime behaviors, such as excessive food pocketing, difficulty with transitions between foods, or limited food preferences.

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A private, family-based pediatric center staffed with incredibly caring and dedicated professionals whose unrelenting mission is to maximize the overall potential of our patients.

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8 Johnson St.

Staten Island, NY 10309

(718) 979-5678

Mon – Thurs: 9 am – 7 pm

225 Richmond Hill Rd.

Staten Island, NY 10314

(718) 979-5678

Mon – Thurs: 9 am – 7 pm

445 Forest Ave.

Staten Island, NY 10301

(718) 979-5678

Mon – Thurs: 9 am – 7 pm

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