Issues Treated with Occupational Therapy

 

Common Signs and Indicators

Your child may benefit from our services if you recognize any of the following:

Behavior, Sensory, Social and Emotional Issues

  • Disruptive or aggressive behaviors
  • Has difficulty paying attention
  • Struggles to interact or play with peers
  • Avoids tabletop play and learning experiences
  • Inability to sit still (unless focused on computer or TV)
  • Inability to listen or follow directions
  • Always on the go
  • Is a picky eater
  • Has low self-esteem
  • Is stubborn or uncooperative
  • Has excessive emotional outbursts when unsuccessful at a task
  • Temper tantrums that are frequent and interfere with life
  • Has poor frustration tolerance
  • Has difficulty making friends (does not interact or participate in group play)
  • Is sensitive to criticism
  • Often appears anxious
  • Cries easily
  • Overly serious
  • Has nightmares
  • Has fears that interfere with daily routines
  • Needs more protection from life than other children the same age
  • Rigid and inflexible
  • Overly affectionate with others
  • Does not perceive facial expressions or body language
  • Difficulty regulating emotions
  • Difficulty participating and maintaining a conversation
  • Difficulty resolving conflict or expressing needs
  • Difficulty with cooperative and interactive play
  • Appears overly shy

88B1553-1024x745Body Movement Issues

  • Avoids climbing or playing ball and seems clumsy; falls frequently
  • Sitting still is a challenge, unless focused on computer or TV
  • Seeks out all kind of movement- “on the go”
  • Walks on toes
  • Hangs on people, furniture or objects
  • Poor endurance/tires easily
  • Poor safety awareness
  • Impulsive
  • Becomes overly excitable during and after movement
  • Appears floppy or has low muscle tone
  • Has an awkward walking or running pattern

Fine Motor Development Issues

Writing – Coloring – Cutting – Grasping

  • Holds a marker, crayon or pencil awkwardly for their age
  • Has difficulty drawing, coloring, copying or cutting compared to same age peers
  • Lacks hand dominance at age 4
  • Has difficulty controlling grasp ( too tight or loose) after age 5
  • Demonstrates poor legibility of written work in the elementary school years
  • Has difficulty with clothing fasteners, food containers or silverware for their age
  • Has trouble using both hands in a coordinated manner

 

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Auditory Processing Issues

  • Responds negatively to loud sounds or unexpected sounds
  • Holds hands over ears
  • Is distracted in noisy environment and unable to communicate
  • Appears not to hear what you say
  • Does not respond when name is called
  • Enjoys or seeks noise for noise sake

Visual Processing Issues

  • Has difficulty with puzzles
  • Covers eyes or squints
  • Has difficulty making eye contact
  • Struggles with sizing and spacing when handwriting
  • Has difficulty moving his/her body through space without bumping into objects
  • Has difficulty recognizing same and different
  • Has difficulty reading across a page fluently, looses his/her place
  • Has difficulty copying off the board at school
  • Has difficulty following a moving object like a ball
  • Has difficulty locating objects in a room

Touch Processing IssuesChild Success Center Los Angeles Santa Monica Occupational Therapy Speech Language Education Educational Therapy Sensory Motor Fine Motor

  • Avoids getting messy
  • Expresses distress or irritated when participating in self-care activities
  • Very particular with clothing to the point it gets in the way of life
  • Touches people or objects frequently
  • Seems unaware of cuts and bruises
  • Overreacts or underreacts to pain compared to same aged peers
  • Appears unaware of others’ personal space

Oral Sensory Processing Issues

  • Gags easily
  • Avoids certain tastes and smells frequently
  • Picky eater
  • Craves certain tastes or smells
  • Chew or licks nonfood items
  • Mouths objects frequently

88B1000-sm-208x300Vestibular Development Issues

  • Falls frequently
  • Has poor balance
  • Gets car sick often
  • Fear or seeks out swings, slides, stairs, or activities requiring balance
  • Gets dizzy easily or never seems to get dizzy
  • Enjoys twirling or rocking more than other children
Child Success Center
2023 S. Westgate Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90025
Call 310-899-9597 to access our “warm” line.
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