Ask the Therapist

This is a really complex question. Part of the answer depends greatly on the individual child. For example, if a child has received occupational therapy for a while, sometimes there are things that need to be practiced that can be addressed by an APE teacher or a community physical exercise program such as gymnastics coaching or karate lessons. We would prefer for a child to address their needs through typical childhood occupations such as community sports activities, chores at home, or interactions with friends.

After all, that is what occupational therapy is all about … helping children with their childhood occupations (playing, socializing with friends, participating in tasks at school, participating in sports, eating, getting dressed to name a few). To practice specific skills (such as in APE) or to do an activity solely for the input to the joints and muscles or the physical exercise (such as in community sports activities), it is not necessary to have an occupational therapist. To apply these skills into a meaningful childhood occupation requires an occupational therapist. There are times that a child requires specialized and skilled help. An occupational therapist has an in depth background in anatomy, physiology, neuro-anatomy, neuro-physiology, kinesiology, basic psychology, human development and more. We use these areas to analyze a child’s strengths and needs and to develop a specialized means of providing therapy. Each session is carefully monitored second-by-second in order to provide the challenge that the child needs in order to progress. This is an art and a science that requires specialized training.

Here is an example that may be helpful. John is a 6-year-old boy who is very bright, but has difficulty sitting still in class, difficulty walking in public places without bumping into people, and overall weakness. An occupational therapy assessment revealed that John had some sensory processing deficits, poor body and space awareness, and some further gross and fine motor skill difficulties. An APE teacher or coach may not be able to address John’s sensory processing properly, because if too much stimulation is given to one system, John may just become hyperactive for the car ride home and may have difficulty falling asleep. John needs an occupational therapist who understands how neurological systems work together in order to provide the right balance of activities. If John is showing signs of becoming over-aroused by one type of activity, it must be immediately changed in order to allow for some “calming” techniques as well. Eventually, the occupational therapist will be able to guide John’s family in selecting appropriate home and community activities.