As a parent, you’re already aware that your child has many academic roles to fill – like student, organiser, and learner. But did you know that Occupational Therapy (OT) can help them develop these skills? 

OT focuses on the performance of everyday activities or “occupations” and uses an individualised approach to promote success and build skills in different areas. It is used to promote physical, psychological, and social wellbeing. Through participation in meaningful daily activities such as self-care, school, work, play and leisure activities it helps to improve confidence, self-esteem, social skills and general wellbeing. 

OT involves a combination of approaches such as: 

• teaching new strategies 
• developing physical & cognitive skills 
• problem-solving 
• making modifications or accommodations in their environment or routine 
• providing tools that can increase success with tasks or modify them 
• teaching compensatory strategies and visual supports 
• promoting health & safety awareness 
• working towards increased independence in tasks 
• improving performance at school/work/play and leisure activities 
• addressing sensory needs 
• preventing & managing behaviour concerns. 
• More specifically for academic performance, OT can help address sensory issues which affect attention span, focus levels, organisational skills, handwriting problems due to poor muscle coordination or fatigue from holding a pencil for too long and difficulty transitioning between tasks. In addition to this attention to detail – especially when it comes to studying data – can also be addressed by OT through improved visual processing abilities. 

What Can Occupational Therapists Offer That Teachers Can’t? 

Every student has unique needs and learning styles, and this is especially true for children with sensory, motor or attentional issues. Occupational therapists can provide specialised instruction to help your child reach their full potential and succeed in the school environment. 

For instance, they can: 

• Assist with sensory integration (for example, helping children become more aware of how their bodies move in space) 
• Provide advice on implementing accommodations that make classroom activities more accessible for students with learning disabilities 
• Offer strategies for improving concentration and executive functioning skills 
• Develop a personalised plan for developing fine motor skills, self-regulation and emotional management 
• Teach children how to develop self-confidence and social skills to better cope with daily situations. 
• In addition to providing one-on-one instruction, occupational therapists can also work closely with teachers to ensure students are receiving the best possible education. This includes discussing strategies that enable students to thrive in a classroom setting. So if you’re looking for a service that helps your child unlock their full potential, occupational therapy is worth considering. 

What Are the Benefits of Occupational Therapy for Learning? 

When it comes to boosting your child’s academic performance, occupation therapy is an invaluable tool. Here are some of the key benefits: 

Improved Cognitive Functioning 

Occupational therapy helps to improve your child’s cognitive functioning and ability to process information. Through activities that stimulate their motor and visual skills, occupational therapists can help children develop the skills necessary for academic success such as concentration and memory and information processing. 

Enhanced Motor Skills 

Occupational therapy can help your child improve their fine and gross motor coordination, which are important skills needed for academic activities like writing, typing and taking tests. By improving your child’s coordination and dexterity, occupational therapists can enhance their academic performance. 

Improved Social Skills 

Children who receive occupational therapy will gain better problem-solving and communication skills, which will help them in various classroom activities such as group assignments or debates. Occupational therapy can also teach children how to interact with others in a positive manner, another key skill needed for successful learning. 

Activities and Strategies Used in Children’s Occupational Therapy 

The type of activities used in occupational therapy to boost academic performance depends on the child’s individual needs. Occupational therapists may use a variety of strategies and activities such as: 

Structured Learning Activities 

Structured learning activities are designed to reinforce concepts learnt in the classroom, as well as developing life skills like problem solving, decision making, and task organisation. Examples include play-based activities, educational computer games and puzzles. 

Sensory Integration 

Sensory integration therapy helps children to process incoming sensory information from their environment and interpret this information correctly. Some examples of sensory integration activities include the use of swings, weighted blankets and mats. The goal is to improve children’s ability to stay alert during learning time and improve their focus. 

Fine Motor Skills Activities 

Fine motor skills refer to the small movements performed by the hands and arms in order to complete tasks such as writing, drawing or using scissors. Occupational therapists may utilise fine motor skill activities such as colouring, drawing shapes, lacing cards and threading beads with laces or strings. This helps children develop better coordination for writing and other classroom tasks. 

Social Skills Activities 

Social interactions are an important part of school life but can be quite challenging for some children due to shyness or other social anxiety issues. Occupational therapists may use role-play scenarios and cooperative games to help improve social skills in kids – teaching them how to take turns, follow instructions better and express themselves more effectively with others around them. 

Who Should Seek Out an Occupational Therapist for Kids? 

If you’re a parent of a child who is struggling to reach their academic potential, occupational therapy may be the answer. Therapy can help children with: 

• Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) 
• Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) 
• Developmental Disabilities 
• Learning Disabilities 
• Visual/Auditory Processing Disorders 
• Dyspraxia, Dysgraphia and Dyscalculia 
• Motor Difficulties  

Occupational therapists can also help kids improve their organisation and study skills, as well as provide strategies to cope with the emotional stress that is often associated with academic performance. Through tailored activities that are both fun and educational, your child can be better equipped to reach their full potential. 

Paediatric Occupational Therapy at Spring Forward Family Centre 

Paediatric Occupational Therapy at Spring Forward Family Centre helps children to develop the skills they need to be successful in their everyday activities such as self-care, school and play. Through careful observation, assessment and intervention, the specialist team of Occupational Therapists help to promote independence and inclusion in their everyday occupations. 

We also provide parent education and support to ensure family involvement in the therapy process, so that everyone can work together towards a brighter future for your child. This approach enables our therapists to help children build self-confidence, self-esteem, social skills and general wellbeing – ultimately helping your child boost their academic performance. 

Conclusion 

Ultimately, occupational therapy can provide children with the support they need to be successful in their academic pursuits. It has been shown to improve focus, concentration, behaviour and overall academic performance. Additionally, it can provide physical, emotional, and mental support to children in helping them to develop their skills and abilities and to reach their full potential. As parents, it is important to be aware of the potential of occupational therapy and to seek out the best occupational therapist available in your area. With the right help, your child can maximise their academic performance and reach their goals. 

The post How Occupational Therapy Boosts Academic Performance in Kids first appeared on Spring Forward Family Centre.