Toddlers
Occupational therapists work with toddlers and parents/caregivers to help them participate in their daily occupations. For a toddler, these include play, learning, self-care, sleep, and socializing. Environmental modifications can also be made to suit the toddler’s specific needs in their home, daycare, preschool, or community settings.
Occupational therapy may be of benefit to toddlers
who experience three or more of the following:
- seems weak or floppy
- clumsy, falls frequently
- bumps into furniture, people
- breaks crayons and toys easily
- dislikes jumping, swings, or having feet off the ground
- difficulties colouring in lines, doing puzzles
- delays in toilet training
- poor endurance
- delayed language activity
- overly active, unable to slow down
- doesn’t like lying on stomach
- dislikes bathing, cuddling, or hair cuts
- difficulty with transitions
- overreacts to touch, taste, sound, odour, lights
- avoids playground activities
- has sleep difficulties
Occupational therapy services of this type may be appropriate for those with:
- Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Sensory Processing Disorder
- Developmental Coordination Disorder
- Cerebral Palsy
- Down Syndrome
- Attachment Disorders
- Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
- and developmental delays