OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY What is OT Occupational Therapy OT

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY

What is OT? Occupational Therapy (OT) are support services that focus on developing functional skills related to sensory-motor integration, coordination of movement, fine motor skills, self-help skills (dressing, self-feeding, etc. ), adaptive devices/equipment, and positioning for school work. Can also include improving, developing or restoring functions impaired or lost through illness, injury, or deprivation or preventing, through early intervention, initial or further impairment or loss of function.

OT @ Arcadia School We are part of the THERAPY TEAM Remedial Maths Speech Therapy • Improve learners production of speech & understanding of language. THERAPY TEAM Psychological Services • Provide a safe place for learners to express their emotions • Teach helpful ways to deal with these emotions. • Assist learners with Maths concepts • Teach methods & helpful tips for doing Maths Remedial English OT • Assist learners with reading & spelling

Our Goal in OT @ Arcadia To assist the child in their role as a learner. OT works on Application in class Improving/Adapting the learner’s posture The learner can sit for sustained periods in a chair @ a desk Line spacing, reversals, speed of writing and force applied when writing. The learner’s can communicate efficiently through their handwriting. Visual perception The learner can quickly & correctly identify words/numbers amongst others & spot differences or mistakes Copying (visual motor integration) The learner can correctly copy work from the board/overhead/worksheet. Sensory Modulation Adapt classroom e. g. place learner at back of room where there will be less sensory disturbances

Assessment Procedures 1. General Observations: posture, body movements, pencil grip, attention span 2. We use several standardised tests

Assessment Procedures standardised tests TEST PURPOSE Detriot’s Precision & Accuracy Test tests fine motor movements (finger movements) and speed Jordan Left-Right Reversal Test tests ability to identify reversed letters & numbers Durrel Writing Speed Test tests the learner’s writing speed over 5 minutes Berry-Buktenica Visual Motor Integration Test copying of simple line drawings Gardener Test of Visual-Perceptual Skills tests learner’s visual perceptual skills. This includes visual discrimination, visual memory, visual spatial relationships, visual form constancy, visual figure ground, visual closure. A J Ayres Clinical Observations gross and fine motor tests (big & small movements)

Treatment Can be done Individually or in Groups (+-5 learners) Treatment is usually for a period of 6 -12 months Sessions are learner focused: i. e. the learner’s specific functional problems and difficulties (as reported by the teacher & from assessment results) are treated Educational games, worksheets, gross & fine motor equipment are adapted for the learner and their needs We also try to teach appropriate WORK HABITS

Treatment - Equipment Gross motor: Physio balls, bean bags, tennis balls, balance rockers, trapeze swing, hammock, foam blocks

Treatment - Equipment Fine motor: koki’s, chalk, pins, foam, scissors, marbles, spray bottles, play dough, beads

Treatment - Equipment Visual perception: Educational games e. g. Toot& Otto, Digit, Guess Who? Rush Hour, Hide ‘n Seek, Tumbling Monkeys, Shop till you Drop, Tangrams, Brainy Blocks

GROUPS

PERCEPTION

GROSS & FINE MOTOR

Assistive Devices & Equipment Adjustable height for work desk

Assistive Devices & Equipment Assistive device to help learners with letter formation

Enjoy OT Open Day! Please feel free to ask us any questions