Occupational

Motor skills are muscle movements that enable us to perform specific tasks. They include Fine Motor Skills (using the small muscles of the hand or wrist) and Gross Motor Skills (using the large muscles in the body for balance, co-ordination and physical strength)

Self-care skills are an important step to develop a child’s independence, ability to sequence and organise tasks, and develop physical control tailored to specific tasks. Self-care skills for children include dressing themselves, personal hygiene (e.g. brushing teeth) and sleep routines.

Social skills are communication methods that are important to a child’s early development and ability to associate and interact with other persons, especially including their peers. Developing social skills enables children to communicate effectively and efficiently, whilst developing and understanding a wide range of emotions including empathy, generosity and co-operation.

Children can be sensory seeking or avoiding. Sensory seeking behaviour includes activities that children actively seek out to regulate themselves, resulting in high activity levels and being drawn to different textures and surfaces. Sensory avoidance is where children may react to a wide range of triggers including loud or unexpected noises, uncomfortable clothing, crowded spaces or certain food smells and textures. Reducing sensory seeking and avoidance enables children to stay more regulated in environments that include the items that constitute “triggers” for these behaviours.