Hannecke Korkie Arbeidsterapie / Occupational Therapy

18/07/2025

ADL: Brushing teeth is a life skill that can be a real challenge for some, especially when sensory or executive functioning needs are present.

🦷We have a resource with toothbrushing tips, and a great toothbrushing story video at the end that that can be a help! What tips would you add to this list? https://www.theottoolbox.com/sensory-tooth-brushing-tips-for-brushing-teeth/

18/07/2025

📄 Tearing paper 📄
When a child tears a piece of paper, they improve hand strength and endurance in the small muscles in the hand. These intrinsic muscles are important in so many fine motor skills, including those important to handwriting and coloring, managing buttons and zippers, manipulating pegs, and more.
📄
Activities and tips to use just paper in building skills: https://www.theottoolbox.com/torn-paper-art-awesome-fine-motor/

18/07/2025

Summer sun, chlorine, and knots from hot Summer play…hair brushing during the Summer months can be a struggle, especially when there are sensory considerations. Here are tips and tricks from an OT for hair brushing. 👇

Also includes list of recommended brushes:
https://www.theottoolbox.com/how-to-support-sensory-issues-with-hair-brushing/

04/04/2025

03/04/2025

03/04/2025

One of our favorite fine motor activities for Spring!

Gather your materials:
💚Playdough
📎Paperclips
📄Paper (cut into circles with a scrapbooking tool or cut with scissors)
🪨A few rocks or pebbles

Build a Spring garden and build skills! 🌼 Here's the how and why behind this OT activity: https://www.theottoolbox.com/grow-garden-pretend-play-dough/

03/04/2025

OTASA is proud to share an Autism Resource Guide filled with valuable information on Autism awareness, early signs to look out for, and how OT can support individuals on the spectrum.

Key signs of Autism:
✔️ Differences in social interaction & communication
✔️ Repetitive behaviours or interests
✔️ Sensory sensitivities
✔️ Difficulty with transitions & routines

Occupational Therapists play a crucial role in helping individuals with Autism develop essential life skills, improve sensory processing, and enhance participation in daily activities.

📥 Download our resource here: https://www.otasa.org.za/product/autism-resource-guide/



Occupational Therapy Association of South Africa

21/03/2025

17/03/2025

13/02/2025

Are your kids struggling with their fine motor skills?

They're not alone. Educators are noticing it too—young students are having difficulties stacking blocks and gripping pencils. Screen time may play a part in this, but according to recent research, shifting habits and parenting conveniences may also be causing those skills to take a back seat.

Discover the latest science on motor activities and ways to integrate them into your child's routine: https://on.natgeo.com/4hjQNOx

13/02/2025

Fidgeting while doing work at a desk? This quick posture activity gets kids hyper-aware of how they’re sitting at a desk. It’s not a tool you would use constantly…more of a lesson on posture and base of support awareness.

*Partially* blow up a balloon or beach ball for a sensory foot fidget. 🦶 🦶

Check for a few alignment things:

🪑90/90/90 at the hips/knees/feet
🪑Legs parallel and in neutral position
🪑Feet flat on the floor
🪑Dominant arm slightly abducted at the shoulder with the elbow flexed
🪑Elbows even with the desk surface
🪑Other key components described in the resource in our story.

Read about the specifics of writing posture: https://www.theottoolbox.com/chair-posture-while-writing-slouched-handwriting/

10/02/2025