Jump to content

Menu

What can occupational therapy do for us?


Momling
 Share

Recommended Posts

I know almost nothing about OT. I was kind of under the impression it involved helping people use assistive devices and take care of activities of daily living... But our 6 yr old foster son was just referred for OT for emotional regulation and sensory issues. What would that even look like with kids? He's very independent and has great motor skills. At his best times, he comes across as focused and friendly and polite. Our main concerns are low tolerance for frustration leading to aggression and most recently, a belief that everyone is persecuting him. Can OT address these issues? Can he be taught strategies to avoid escalating anger?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

DD7 does OT for behavior issues.  She is also sensory seeking so she has learned to get some of her sensory needs met in a more appropriate way than hitting/kicking/biting/punching people.  I don't have long to type tonight but one program that they used with her was The Alert Program How Does your Engine Run.  Google it and you will find a website that explains it (my computer keeps freezing when I link or I would). 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I do wonder whether OT could be of any use to you?

What I particularly noted, is his belief that everyone is persecuting him?

Where perhaps you might consider his behaviour to others, in relation to feeling persecuted by them?

In a struggle against this persecution.

 

While you describe it as persecution. 

I wonder if it is more a feeling of not trusting others?

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Meet the OT.

 

We've gone for independence/small motor control issues and she did a lot of testing for sensory issues and gave me tips to work with it. I would definitely say it was worthwhile. She had a lot of information about a wide variety of issues and steered me to find specialists for specific things. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Our OT helped in so many ways.   Not only by doing the normal OT stuff but she taught him how to calm himself down when he was stressed/angry/having a sensory overload.   She even showed him certain pressure points to rub/apply pressure for certain things, breathing and other techinques to help.  I know not every OT will go that far but look for one who does.  

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Our OT uses the ILS music system for emotional regulation and focus.  I was really skeptical but it has done a lot of good for our DS  (he's 5).  They also did a program to regulate his vestibular system which helped with sleep and with behavior.  We were given activities to do at home to help with frustration and aggression.  

When we were referred, I was much more familiar with behavioral therapy, but I think that OT has been more valuable in some ways. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

 Share

×
×
  • Create New...