Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is Occupational Therapy?
Occupational Therapy is a science-based habilitation and rehabilitation profession with the ultimate goal to maximize independence and the quality of life. Occupational therapists extensive educational background include (not limited to) anatomy & physiology, neurology, human development, other health sciences as well psychology/social conditions. They provide services to people of all ages. Occupational Therapy for Kidz specializes in working with infants and young children who have physical, developmental, behavioral and social deficits which may or may not be affecting their academics. Most common diagnosis are Sensory Processing Disorders, Autism, ADHD, Developmental Delay, Learning Disabilities, etc
2. What is Sensory Processing Disorder?
Sensory Integration Disorder often times also referred to as Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) is a disorder that describes processing in all sensations as it travels through the central nervous system. There are various types of SPD. A child may exhibit sensory discrimination issues in which they will have difficulty processing information from one or more of the five well-known "external" senses:
As well as the least known "internal" senses:
- proprioception/body awareness
- tactile/deep touch
The child can have normal sense receptors (i.e. vision and hearing are normal) but the information is processed differently in the brain. A child may present with more lower level processing issues which will manifest itself more behaviorally such as with those presenting with sensory modulation and/or self-regulation difficulties. This may be manifested (but not limited to) in a child that is anxious, fearful, impulsive, has poor response to people and difficulties engaging in their environment in a purposeful manner.
Sensory Integration therapy helps to facilitate the rewiring and/or the enhancement of the use of our neurochemistry and neuro-circuitry needed for sensations to be processed effectively through each level of the central nervous system. This can result in decreased or the elimination of distress, confusion, flight-fight responses, etc to develop a more organized central nervous system and therefore a child with more organized behaviors to efficiently acquire and utilize their developmental skills.
SPD can exist alone or it can exist with other neurobiological conditions such as Autism, PDD, attention deficit (hyperactive) disorders (ADHD), dyspraxia, dyslexia, etc.
3. How would I know if my child need therapeutic intervention?
There is always a parent's instinct that something just isn't right with their child. Maybe your infant isn't rolling, sitting, crawling or moving about with the greatest quality of motor skills. Your toddler isn't sitting long enough to play well with toys or interact well with people or he/she isn't moving enough. He/she is difficult to calm down. Your preschooler isn't scribbling, doing simple shape puzzles, may appear clumsy with little or big muscles or your school age child is having a difficult time to write, read, staying focused, moves too much, frustrates easy, have difficulty making and keeping friends, etc. You may have done your own homework by talking with your pediatrician or a teacher. You read up and did research on infant/child development. You asked many questions and then conclude that you have concerns regarding your child. Here at OT For Kidz we listen. We perform free infant screenings from birth to 12 months and/or offer consultations and then offer recommendations. If there are any significant concerns, you then have the option to pursue further services at OT For Kidz however there is never an obligation to pursue services with us. We offer various types of occupational therapy evaluations and ongoing therapy services.
4. What steps do I have to take to pursue private evaluation services?
A simple phone call will start the process. You will be given an appointment and a brief phone interview may be conducted. OT For Kidz evaluates children generally between birth to 12