Ask an occupational therapist AOT

13/02/2026

Today one of our student was given a structure OT home activity using a water bottle to practice fine motor skills, motor planning, oral regulation, attention control, and independence in daily living with positive participation using guided support.

12/02/2026

What this image is trying to show (Sensory Perspective – PCC Mart):
This image explains how a busy shopping mall like PCC Mart can be overwhelming for an autistic child.
Auditory Overload:
Loud sounds such as background music, billing counter beeps, announcements, crowd noise, and trolley sounds can feel too intense. The child covers his ears because his brain cannot filter these sounds.
Visual Overload:
Bright lights, colorful displays, moving people, and shelves full of products create visual chaos. The environment feels fast and confusing.
Olfactory Sensitivity:
Strong smells from food areas, perfumes, and cleaning products can also trigger discomfort.
Sensory Processing Difficulty:
Autistic children process sensory input differently. When multiple sensory inputs hit at once, the nervous system becomes overwhelmed, leading to crying or meltdown.
Behavior is Communication:
The child’s crying is not stubbornness or bad behavior.
It is communication:
“This place is too loud, bright, and overwhelming for me.”
OT Insight:
With supports like:
visual shopping schedules
noise-reducing headphones
short visits
deep pressure (hug, weighted item)
the child can better tolerate mall environment

10/02/2026

Sensory path walk

10/02/2026

Training: Removing Shirt from Neck
During today’s Occupational Therapy session, training was provided for independent shirt removal from the neck. A TheraBand was used as a preparatory tool to simulate the pulling motion required during dressing.
The activity focused on:
Improving bilateral coordination
Enhancing shoulder strength and stability
Developing motor planning and sequencing
Increasing hand grip strength
Supporting independence in Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)
The TheraBand provided graded resistance, allowing the child to practice controlled pulling movements in a structured and motivating way. Verbal cues and physical prompting were gradually reduced to encourage independence and confidence during the task.

10/02/2026

Activity Description (OT Perspective):
In this activity, the child is pulling a rope with added weight. This task provides heavy work input and deep proprioceptive stimulation, which helps the child develop upper limb strength, shoulder stability, and core muscle activation.
Pulling against resistance improves bilateral coordination, motor planning, and hand-arm coordination. The weighted resistance also supports self-regulation, helps organize the sensory system, and improves attention and body awareness.
This activity is especially beneficial for children who seek sensory input, show poor body awareness, or have difficulties with focus and postural control.

10/02/2026

My Airplane Travel Story 💜

Visual Schedule: My Airplane Travel Story ✈️
This visual schedule is designed to support children with autism during airplane travel.
It breaks the journey into simple, predictable steps, helping reduce anxiety and improve understanding.
✔️ Clear pictures
✔️ Simple language
✔️ Step-by-step routine
✔️ Promotes calm waiting & cooperation
Children learn:
What will happen first, next, and last
How to wait calmly
How to follow instructions during travel
That loud sounds and new places are okay and safe
Visual schedules help children feel prepared, confident, and regulated during transitions like airport and airplane travel.

Predictability builds comfort. Visuals build confidence.
OT Insight (optional):
Using visual schedules supports:

💬Executive functioning
💬Emotional regulation
💬Sensory preparation
💬Smooth transitions in unfamiliar environments

10/02/2026

provide strong vestibular input and support integration of the Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex (TLR) by facilitating appropriate postural tone and gravity-based body organization.

08/02/2026

STNR Integeration

07/02/2026

Speech video
Requesting for washroom on AAC
Labelling actions using an AAC device .

07/02/2026

TLR integration activities aim to help the nervous system mature by providing controlled vestibular and proprioceptive input. These therapeutic movements support improved posture, core stability, bilateral coordination, and sensory processing.

07/02/2026

07/02/2026

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