Does my Child Need OT?
A Quick Checklist: . Grab your Free OT Checklist for Parents & Educators below.
Fine Motor Skills
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Has an awkward grip when using cutlery, pencils, scissors, etc.
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Has “shaky” hands or fingers
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Avoids drawing, cutting, fiddly tasks.
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Appears to be weak in their hands and complains of pain during colouring or handwriting
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Still needs help to open packages etc
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Finds handwriting is difficult to produce and difficult to read
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Is slow/reluctant to complete written work
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Produce work significantly below the standard of the rest of their class /age group
Visual-Perceptual Skills
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Has difficulty completing puzzles
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Has difficulty locating things against a cluttered background
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Has difficulty copying shapes and letters
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Has difficulty identifying visual symbols e.g. letters, numbers, shapes
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Has difficulty remembering visual information
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Makes persistent reversals in reading, letter formation, and numerals past yr 2.
Self-Care Organizational Skills
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Struggles with dressing tasks e.g. buttons, shoelaces, zips, socks.
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Lacks independence in tasks easily done by others their age e.g. cutlery, pouring drinks/struggles with hygiene tasks e.g. bathing, brushing teeth, grooming, etc.
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Has difficulty learning and following daily routines e.g. getting ready for school
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Has difficulty starting and completing tasks
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Has difficulty organising themselves and their materials/possessions
Sensory Processing Skills
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Screaming if their faces get wet
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Throwing tantrums when you try to get them dressed
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Having an unusually high or low pain threshold
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Crashing into walls and even people
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Putting inedible things, including rocks and paint, into their mouths
Gross Motor Skills
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Is clumsy in moving their body e.g. trips over frequently, bumps into obstacles
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Runs or walks awkwardly
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Is fearful to walk in the dark, e.g. must have a night light
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Tires easily and lacks stamina of other children the same age
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Afraid to use playground equipment
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Slow to learn new movement tasks e.g. hopping, skipping, and swimming
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Difficulty with simple ball catching
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Has trouble walking up
Visual - Motor Skills
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Difficulty staying within the lines when coloring.
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Difficulty catching or kicking a ball.
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Trouble fastening buttons or tying shoelaces.
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Difficulty copying from the board.
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Poor handwriting.
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Trouble in geometry and lining up math problems.
