The Occupational Therapy (OT) / Sensory Integration (SI) Consultation enables parents to discuss concerns they have about their child’s motor development and/or apparent over- or under-responsiveness to common sensations in their environment. The consultation also aims to collaboratively determine an action plan, if necessary.
Are you baffled as to why your child does some or all of the following things?
- Overwhelmed with the sound of vacuum cleaners, toilets, hairdryers or with every loud sound.
- Light touch from clothing feels as if it is chafing the skin.
- Cannot sit still or bumps into people or things.
- Has weak motor skills and balance to ride a bike, hit a ball or write well.
- Fearful of playground equipment.
- Picky eater (e.g. only pizza and cheese).
- Doesn’t like to be hugged, touched or can’t be touched enough.
- Crowded places bother them so can lead to meltdowns.
- Dramatic mood swings and tantrums.
- Won’t step on grass or sand with their bare feet or won’t put their hands in anything messy.
- Unable to calm down or get to sleep.
Early identification of sensory-processing differences leads to early intervention, which can address many of these issues.
About the session:
- Prior to the appointment, parents or caregivers will be given a Sensory Profile: Caregiver Questionnaire to complete.
- The Occupational Therapist will conduct a detailed clinical observation to determine the child’s gross-motor skills (larger body movement) and their reaction to different sensations using our specialised equipment in the gym.
- The child’s visual perception (ability to interpret information that is seen) and fine motor (smaller body movements e.g. with fingers) skills will also be evaluated.
- Parents or caregivers will receive verbal feedback on the results, as well as recommendations at the end of the session.