The standard desire of parents includes watching their children grow while they learn and achieve their goals. These children occasionally experienced challenges with daily responsibilities along with trouble mastering body movements as well as emotional control. You can consider occupational therapy as a useful resource when you notice difficulties in your child.
Our professional focus at Esperanza helps children learn essential life abilities that support their personal development and independence. Six key signs exist that indicate your child requires occupational therapy based on your uncertainty about this treatment option.
Occupational therapy: What is it?
Occupational therapy assists people in acquiring the abilities necessary for freedom and day-to-day functioning. For kids, this covers things like getting dressed, eating, and writing, playing, and controlling oneself.
At Esperanza, our pediatric occupational therapy focuses on:
✔ Fine and gross motor skills
✔ Hand-eye coordination
✔ Emotional regulation
✔ Sensory processing
✔ Social and play skills
✔ Self-care abilities
✔Balance and coordination
By addressing these areas, OT empowers children to participate fully in everyday activities at home, school, and social settings.
Postponements of Developmental Milestones
The major developmental achievements which signal child development progress include crawling and learning to walk and feeding themselves without help. The unfortunate slowness of your kid to reach these designated developmental steps can signal hidden problems in their development.
Children usually start utilizing spoons during their developmental stage between 18 to 24 months of age. Occupational treatment can provide help to children who encounter difficulties with mealtime independence dressing operations and knowing to use the toilet after their expected developmental milestones.
Inability to Use Fine Motor Skills
Using scissors, holding a pencil, and gripping items are examples of little actions that require fine motor abilities. These skills are necessary for independence and school readiness. If your child struggles with things like:
- Controlling and grasping a pencil
- Fastening shoelaces or buttoning shirts
- Taking cutlery or opening jars
To increase hand muscle strength, flexibility, and coordination, an occupational therapist might offer specific exercises.
Having trouble with balance and gross motor skills
Greater arm, leg, and core motions are a part of gross motor abilities. Children who have difficulties in this area could:
- Having trouble sprinting, leaping, or climbing
- Having trouble staying balanced when walking
- Don’t seem coordinated or awkward.
Poor core strength can also impact hand function since fine and gross motor abilities are interdependent. OT may aid with posture, coordination, and core strength, which will make movement simpler and more controlled.
Challenges in Sensing Information
Effective sensory processing is a challenge for certain kids. Your kid may struggle with sensory processing if they have sensitivity to different textures, bright lights, loud noises, or certain textiles. Warning signs include:
- Feeling overpowered by loud surroundings
- Steer clear of particular food or garment textures.
- Having trouble concentrating because of sensory disturbances
- Pursuing excessive motion (such as spinning, leaping, or colliding with objects)
Children who receive occupational therapy may better control their sensory reactions, which will increase their comfort level and capacity to carry out everyday tasks.
Problems with Self-Care Abilities
Liberty requires the ability to do self-care tasks including using the lavatory, cleaning one’s teeth, and dressing oneself. If your kid:
- Having trouble with grooming or age-appropriate clothing
- Frequently needs help with everyday tasks.
- Has trouble adhering to instructions with several steps.
OT can offer organized methods to improve these vital life skills and promote increased self-sufficiency.
Having Trouble Controlling Your Emotions
Managing social circumstances, changes, and annoyance all need emotional control. If your child:
- has frequent outbursts or meltdowns
- finds it difficult to relax after becoming angry
- struggles to properly communicate their feelings
To promote improved self-regulation, an occupational therapist might impart coping mechanisms, mental wellness, and relaxation methods.
What Esperanza Can Do
Esperanza offers ABA, behavior therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy in Dubai that is customized to meet the specific requirements of your kid. Our skilled therapists encourage kids to thrive in daily life by using evidence-based practices to help them acquire critical social, communication, and everyday living skills.
We invite you to schedule a free consultation with our experts if you observe any difficulties in your child’s conduct, speech, motor abilities, or social interactions. The development and self-assurance of your child can be greatly impacted by early intervention.
Call or message us on WhatsApp at 00971555241094 to make an appointment right now!