Does My Child Need Occupational Therapy?

Is your child having trouble with everyday activities at home, school, or out in the community?

Occupational therapy (OT) helps children develop or regain the skills they need to succeed in daily life. OT is here to support kids and their families when challenges arise in areas such as:

Fine Motor Skills

Difficulty manipulating toys and puzzles
Trouble with pencil grasp
Challenges using utensils at an age-appropriate time
Poor handwriting or trouble forming letters and numbers

Gross Motor Skills

Appears clumsy or uncoordinated
Difficulty going up and down stairs at the expected age
Struggles with understanding right versus left

Learning Challenges

Trouble concentrating and staying focused in school
Difficulty following directions or finishing tasks
Easily fatigued by schoolwork
Hyperactivity or low energy levels

Social Interaction

Struggles to connect with peers or family
Difficulty adjusting to new environments
Delayed speech or language development

Sensory Processing

Overly sensitive to sounds, touch, or movement
Under-responsive to sensations (e.g., high pain tolerance, not noticing injuries)
Constantly on the move—jumping, crashing, bumping into things

Visual Processing

Trouble with letter size and spacing
Difficulty recognizing or copying letters and shapes
Poor eye contact

Oral Motor & Oral Sensory Skills

Excessive drooling
Chewing with front teeth instead of molars
Difficulty using a cup or straw at the expected age

Occupational Therapists are specially trained to support the whole child—addressing cognitive, emotional, and physical needs through meaningful, activity-based interventions. Our sessions are rooted in the science of neuroplasticity, helping to rewire the brain and strengthen functional skills—but we do it all through play!

If you think your child could benefit from feeling more calm, organized, and confident in their daily routines, give us a call—we're here to help!

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Developmental Red Flags

Infants and Toddlers

(0–36 months)

Easily startled
Poor or inconsistent eye contact
Doesn’t seem to notice or explore their own hands
Limited movement or delayed motor milestones
Low muscle tone or appears floppy
Avoids or dislikes tummy time
Trouble sleeping or frequent waking
Difficulty calming or self-soothing
Keeps hands tightly fisted for long periods
Feeding challenges, including reflux or colic
Struggles to grasp or hold objects
Resists being held, cuddled, or comforted
Overly sensitive to food textures or strong tastes
Reacts strongly to loud or unexpected sounds
Doesn’t babble or try to mimic sounds or voices

If you notice several of these signs, early intervention can greatly improve your child’s development.

Preschoolers

(3-6 years old)

Appears to have low muscle tone or seems physically weak
Frequently clumsy—trips, falls, or bumps into things often
Very selective or picky about foods
Struggles with using utensils, drinking from a straw, or an open cup
Tires quickly during everyday activities
Avoids playgrounds or physical play
Shows little interest in age-appropriate toys or games
Walks on tiptoes regularly
Dislikes or avoids grooming activities like bathing, haircuts, or brushing teeth
Has trouble calming themselves when upset
Difficulty holding crayons or coloring within lines
Often flaps hands, rocks, or jumps in place
Trouble falling or staying asleep
Sensitive to clothing textures or irritated by tags
Constantly on the move—has a hard time sitting still or winding down

These signs may suggest sensory, motor, or regulatory challenges. Occupational therapy can help address these areas and support your child’s growth and comfort in daily life.

School-Age

(6+ years)

Difficulty focusing or staying attentive
Trouble following multi-step directions
Struggles with peer interactions or making friends
Rigid thinking or difficulty adjusting to changes
Handwriting is hard to read or inconsistent
Reverses letters or numbers while writing
Has a hard time learning new skills or concepts
Appears uncoordinated or clumsy
Avoids gym class, sports, or active play
Overreacts to sensory input—touch, taste, sounds, or light
Sensitive to clothing textures, seams, or tags
Dislikes physical contact, such as hugs or haircuts
Always on the move—trouble sitting still or relaxing
Makes limited eye contact
Picky with food choices or avoids certain textures
Shows low self-confidence or poor self-esteem

If your child shows several of these signs, occupational therapy can offer valuable strategies and support to help them engage in school, home, and beyond activities.