How do I know if my infant/toddler needs occupational therapy services?

__ 1. Easily startled (birth to 3 months)

__ 2. Poor muscle tone

__ 3. Difficulty consoling self, unusually fussy

__ 4. Unable to bring hands together and bang toys

__ 5. Slow to roll over, creep, sit or stand

__ 6. Difficulty babbling

__ 7. Failure to explore

__ 8. Cries or becomes tense when moved through space.

__ 9. Frequent fisting of hands after six months

__ 10. Difficulty tolerating a prone (on stomach) position

__ 11. Dislikes baths

__ 12. Difficulty playing with age appropriate toys.

__ 13. Resists being held, dislikes being cuddled, becomes tense when held

__ 14. Sucking difficulties

__ 15. Overly active, seeks excessive movement

__ 16. Unable to settle down, sleep difficulties

 

How do I know if my preschool child (3 to 5 years) needs occupational therapy services?

__ 1. Says “I can’t” or “I won’t” to age appropriate self-care or play activities.

__ 2. Low muscle tone; seems weak or floppy.

__ 3. Clumsy, falls frequently.

__ 4. Bumps into furniture or people, has trouble judging body in relation to space around him/her.

__ 5. Breaks toys or crayons easily.

__ 6. Does not enjoy jumping, swinging or having feet off the ground.

__ 7. Dislikes coloring in lines, doing puzzles or cutting with scissors.

__ 8. Delayed language development.

__ 9. Overly active, unable to slow down, moves quickly from one toy to another.

__ 10. Difficulty focusing attention, or over-focused and unable to shift to the next task.

__ 11. Dislikes bathing, cuddling, or haircuts.

__ 12. Overreacts to touch, taste, sounds, or odors.

__ 13. Avoids playground activities.

__ 14. Unable to settle down, sleep difficulties.

__ 15. Needs more practice than other children to learn new skills.

 

How do I know if my school-age child needs occupational therapy services?

__ 1. Difficulty focusing attention or over-focused and unable to shift to the next task.

__ 2. Low muscle tone; tends to lean on arms or slumps at desk.

__ 3. Needs more practice than other children to learn new skills.

__ 4. Reverses letters such as b and d; can’t space letters on the lines.

__ 5. Breaks pencils frequently or writes with heavy pressure.

__ 6. Does not enjoy jumping, swings or having feet off the ground.

__ 7. Dislikes handwriting, tires quickly during written class work.

__ 8. Difficulty paying attention or following instructions.

__ 9. Overly active, unable to slow down.

__ 10. Poor self-esteem, lack of confidence.

__ 11. Dislikes swimming, bathing, hugs, and/or hair cuts

__ 12. Over-reacts to touch, taste, sounds, or odors

__ 13. Avoids physical education or sports activities.

__ 14. Finds it difficult to make friends with children of the same age, prefers to play with adults or younger children rather than peers.

__ 15. Difficulty following several step instructions for motor tasks.