Reasons for Referral

Occupational Therapy intervention is often beneficial for children with the following diagnoses or challenges:

Autism Spectrum Disorders

• Motor delays
• Difficulties processing sensory input
• Poor social skills; difficulty making friends
• Difficulties with transitions and changes in routines

ADD/ADHD

• Poor impulse control
• Easily distracted
• Over-aroused (hyperactive)
• Under-aroused (low energy)

Learning Disabilities

• Low stamina compared to peers
• Poor organizational skills
• Visual perceptual deficits 
• Motor delays
• Easily distracted

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

• Poor organizational skills
• Over- or Under-responsivity to certain sensations
• Easily distracted
• Motor delays
• Poor social skills; difficulty making friends

Sensory Processing Disorders

• Over-responsivity to sound, touch, movement or other sensations
• Under-responsivity to certain sensations
• Picky eater
• Overly compliant or overly controlling
• Difficulties with transitions and changes in routines

Auditory Processing Disorders

• Difficulty filtering out background noise
• Slow or delayed responses
• Participates little in conversations
• Difficulty sequencing the order of events

Motor Coordination Deficits

• Low stamina compared to peers; tires easily
• Appears clumsy or frequently bumps into objects
• Difficulty mastering typical motor skills (i.e. using stairs, tying shoes, etc)

Down Syndrome

• Motor delays
• Difficulties with dressing and grooming
• Over- or Under-responsivity to certain sensations
• Oral motor deficits; feeding problems
• Visual perceptual deficits

Genetic Syndromes

• Poor social skills
• Visual perceptual deficits
• Difficulties with self-regulation
• Difficulties with dressing and grooming

Cerebral Palsy

• Difficulties with dressing and grooming
• Motor delays
• Feeding problems
• Visual perceptual deficits

Oral Motor Deficits

• Feeding problems
• Oral aversion (sensitivity)
• Excessive drooling
• Poor seal or suck with mouth for breast/bottle feeding or using a straw

Visual Perceptual Deficits

• Complains of tired eyes or headaches
• Misses letters or words when copying from the board
• Troubles keeping place on page when reading
• Difficulties with eye-hand coordination tasks

Pediatric Mood/Regulatory Disorders

• Difficulties falling or staying asleep
• Appears depressed or anxious
• Frequent tantrums or aggressive outbursts