What Does an Occupational Therapist Do? Sam Olsen, Persist Therapy Hello, Cultivate friends and family! Let’s take some time this month to talk about what an occupational therapist does. This is honestly one of the most difficult questions I get because... the possibilities are endless! Someone once said that occupational therapy (OT) helps me to feel accomplished and confident in the things that I need and want to do. Which is exactly what I hope kids feel when I work with them. Let’s break it down to the top 5 things that an occupational therapist can work on with children. 1. All things sensory. Our sensory systems are complex, unique and individual to us. When people hear the word sensory, they immediately think, tags on clothing, weighted blankets, and picky eaters. But sensory is SO much more. For some learning to find strategies that help their sensory systems work optimally comes naturally. But for others it does not. They may feel stuck in a world that just doesn’t seem right. Our goal is never to change the sensory system but rather to help each child (and parent) better understand their individual sensory system—what it needs, what it craves, what it is sensitive to and what it may want to avoid. We give skills, tools and strategies to learn to be kind to the sensory system, adapt the environment and help a child to feel their best within their body. A few sensory flags to consider: Overly sensitive to different sounds and noises, to the point that it impacts where you go and what you can do. Avoids certain activities (brushing teeth, combing hair) or environments (struggles in the community) and it limits what you do and where you go. Needs constant soothing (snuggles, hugs, tight clothing) and can’t seem to calm on their own (is it colic??) 2. Sensory motor. I like to break apart sensory and sensory motor systems. We all know the basic senses—touch, taste, smell, hearing and seeing. But did you know there are actually 3 more— vestibular, proprioception and interoception. Each of these sensory motor systems contributes to how we move through and feel within our environment. There is not a sensory motor system that is “right” or “ideal” but if a sensory system interferes with how we go about our day, it is worth getting it checked out. A few sensory motor flags to consider: Always on the move and can’t seem to sit still. If their need for movement cannot be satiated and impacts what can be done, you most likely have a sensory craver on your hands. Movement is very rigid, hesitant, or unsure and because of this child avoids many activities and prefers to be an on-looker. Doesn’t seem to know their own body well—constipated often, can’t detect temperature, pain—what’s that? This my friends, is interoception.
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