Occupational Therapy Treatment Options

Sensory integration is the organization of sensory information for ongoing use. It is the ability to receive and process information from all the senses (touch, movement, smell, taste, vision, and hearing), organize or integrate that information within the brain, and then respond in a meaningful way. Sensory integration provides the necessary foundation for more complex learning and behavior, including motor planning ability, attention, adaptive behavior, and academic learning.  Click here for more information.

Therapeutic Listening is a term used to describe combined use of a number of electronically altered compact discs in a prescribed manner, but with equipment that can be used in many environments. Sheila Frick, OTR designed this program. Therapeutic Listening implies that the listening programs are individualized to each client and are ideally suited for application in home and school setting. Maximum effectiveness in treatment outcomes is promoted by daily use. The use of modulated and filtered music in conjunction with sensory integrative occupational therapy techniques seems to increase the effectiveness of both treatment modalities. There is commonly a decrease in the time necessary to meet treatment goals in the areas of: modulation, balance and movement perception; an increase in exploration of the environment, sense of physical competence, drive to challenge one’s praxis and sequencing abilities, and improved social competence and language abilities. Click here for more information.

APT therapist's often blends Michelle Garcia Winner's Social Thinking Curriculum into their treatment sessions or in specific social skills groups.  For many individuals, the process of communicating and interacting with other individuals is anything but natural.  While these challenges are commonly experienced by individuals with autism spectrum disorders (high-functioning), social communication disorder, Asperger's, ADHD, nonverbal learning disability (NLD) and similar diagnoses, children and adults experiencing social learning difficulties often have received no diagnosis.  During social skills training, therapists offer a range of strategies that address individual strengths and weaknesses in processing social information.

Children with sensory processing and motor control issues often lack antigravity postural control and core musculature development. Treatment focuses on developing these core skills through specific exercises and inviting activities that encourage a child’s active participation. Emphasis in treatment is placed on activating core musculature to achieve deeper respiration and to increase core strength and endurance. According to Frick and Kawar , the goal is to develop the deep muscles (those closest to the bone), especially the muscles providing three dimensional support around the central vertical axis of the head, neck, and trunk. It is important to maintain a continuous flow of breath with focus on the exhale during core activation so as to coordinate movement with breath. When the deep muscles are engaged, postural control and breath support are effortless since minimal conscious effort is required. Thus, surface muscles, designed for skill, are released from undesirable “fixing” and are able to function according to their natural design. When the body moves with ease and fluidity, the child is free to creatively and independently execute complex reasoning for communication, problem solving, organizing, and executing life tasks and roles.

A therapy intensive may be recommended for your child in order to maximize the effects of treatment. In a treatment intensive the frequency, intensity, and duration of therapy are increased over a relatively short period of time. Typically, a child is seen for 1 ½ hours in each of 3-4 consecutive days. Research has found this to be an effective and “intensive” model of intervention. Often this is a good choice if a child seems to have plateaued or needs a “jump start.” This is also a good option for clients who have to travel a long distance to the clinic. A home program is given at the end of the intensive with a follow up plan.

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