Occupational Therapists assess and treat the following:
- sitting, crawling and walking at appropriate stages
- balls skills – catching, throwing, bouncing, kicking
- balance – on one leg, hopping, walking along a beam
- jumping with two feet together
- understanding right and left and moving in a co-ordinated manner
- co-ordination of body movements – skipping, dancing, swimming
- bike riding, scootering, skateboarding
- postural muscle tone and stability against gravity
- laterality/directionality
- using playground equipment
What to look for in your child:
- not developing motor developmental milestones of rolling, sitting, crawling and walking
- difficulties co-ordinating both sides of the body
- difficulties learning swimming strokes, dancing or skipping
- clumsiness
- poor balance
- fearful of climbing on equipment
- difficulty going up or down steps
- fearful of feet leaving the ground
- tires easily with physical activity
- poor ball skills
- difficulties riding a bike, scooter, skateboard