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OT's use their expertise and purposeful, individualized activities to support well-being, regulation, and access to meaningful daily experiences. The focus is on enabling participation by honouring each child’s unique strengths, preferences, and ways of engaging with the world.

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OTs may work in the following areas:

• Understanding the impact of individual differences and/or medical conditions on functional activities

• Supporting attention, concentration, and engagement

• Emotional literacy and self-regulation

• Play and leisure, including building joyful, connected relationships

• Physical development (gross and fine motor skills), including coordination, strength, and postural control

• Independence in daily routines such as dressing, feeding, and toileting

• Functional school-based skills such as handwriting, typing, and scissor use

• Visual perception, spatial awareness, and planning skills for functional activities

• Sensory processing preferences and how they influence participation

• Creating supportive environments that enable participation at home, school, and in the community

• Suggesting adaptations and modifications to promote access, independence and autonomy​​

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When do I need to refer to an Occupational Therapist?

 

You might consider an OT referral if your child is finding it hard to fully participate in the activities they need or want to do—like playing with peers, riding a bike, engaging in school tasks, or developing independence with daily routines.

 

The following signs may indicate your child would benefit from OT support:

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Physical developmental and motor skills

Differences in how they develop or use physical skills. For example, your child may:

• Reach motor milestones later than expected (e.g., crawling, walking, using utensils)

• Find it challenging to coordinate both sides of the body

• Need extra time or support to learn new motor tasks

• Find fine motor tasks (e.g., using buttons, cutlery, pencils) tricky or tiring

• Avoid or struggle with physical activities like riding a bike, swimming, or using playground equipment

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Sensory Preferences

• Everyone experiences the world through their senses in unique ways. Some neurodivergent people may have strong sensory preferences that influence how they engage with their environment.

  • A person might have a heightened or lowered sensitivity to touch, movement, or sound, which can shape their comfort and responses in different settings.

  • They may enjoy and actively seek out certain types of sensory input, such as movement, deep pressure (like crashing or hugging), or fidgeting as a way to feel grounded or focused.

  • Oral sensory input can also be important—some individuals find comfort or regulation through chewing, mouthing objects, or exploring textures with their mouth.

• These sensory preferences are a natural part of how someone experiences and interacts with the world. Creating supportive environments that honour these needs can help people thrive.

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Executive Function differences

Experience differences in how they plan, focus, or manage tasks. For example, they may:

• Find it hard to sustain attention or shift focus

• Struggle with organising tasks, planning ahead, or solving problems

• Have difficulty remembering instructions or adjusting to changes in routine

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Social and emotional differences

 Developing skills for emotional wellbeing and connection. You might notice your child:

• Finds it hard to express, understand, or manage "big emotions"

• Has difficulty accepting help or comfort when upset or frustrated

• Needs support to form friendships or engage in social play

• Shows delayed or limited interest in shared play with others

• Struggles with playing independently or sustaining engagement in solo activities (self-occupancy)

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Self-care and independence 

Finding it challenging to participate in day-to-day routines, OT may help build independence in areas such as:

• Dressing

• Toileting

• Feeding or mealtime routines

• Grooming or hygiene