Renee Romeo is the Clinical Director of Occupational Therapy at KidSense-ChildDevelopment occupational therapy Adelaide, a hospital and physician clinic in Adelaide, Australia. She is part of the Physical Therapy team within the Medical & Health Department. Her duties include addressing various issues affecting children with various sensory processing disorders, including crossing the midline. Read on for more information about her role at Kid Sense Child Development.
Occupational therapy helps children cross the midline.
One developmental milestone that children should be able to achieve is crossing the midline. This skill is essential in several higher-level coordination activities, and if a child struggles to cross the midline, their development may be stunted. In addition to being an essential skill, crossing the midline also helps children with handwriting, fine motor skills, and other difficulties. By helping children with midline difficulties, KidSense-ChildDevelopment occupational therapy Adelaide can help them reach their goals and become successful readers and writers.
Children with midline crossing can be helped by doing bilateral activities that require them to coordinate the movements of their hands and legs. These activities help build pathways in the brain that facilitate coordination. Occupational therapists use strategies to help children learn how to cross the midline and develop their hand-eye coordination. For example, they encourage kids to use both hands simultaneously to reach an object crossing the midline. They can also play games where they must reach for the object from left to right. Depending on the level of their development, this activity can be done in various settings, including the home environment.
A lack of midline crossing can delay the dominant hand’s development. These activities require the dominant hand to reach over the body. A child can develop more strength and coordination in their dominant hand by developing this skill, thereby reducing the risk of mental fatigue. The more frequently a child crosses the midline, the more successful their development. This skill is vital for their development because it facilitates proper communication between the two hemispheres and builds stronger neural networks.
Occupational therapy helps children regain self-help skills.
Occupational therapists specialize in fine motor skills. These skills are vital to everyday activities, including dressing, using the toilet, and eating. Occupational therapists help children regain these skills by teaching them the proper positioning and adaptations. Occupational therapists can also help children with sensory problems. KidSense-ChildDevelopment occupational therapy Adelaide helps children regain self-help skills by breaking down expectations and facilitating development. The therapists will also teach children to use objects that help them complete their tasks.
Occupational therapists use fun activities to encourage the development of motor skills in children. For example, a dot-dot painting activity reinforces a child’s pincer grasp, enabling them to handle objects easily. Fine motor skills are also strengthened by lacing shoes and manipulating small objects. Both types of therapy will help children learn the correct way to handle different objects and prevent further injuries.
Occupational therapy will help children with developmental delays develop independence by helping them learn how to feed themselves, use the toilet, and perform other activities. For example, some children may be unable to grasp and handle small objects due to issues with fine motor skills. Occupational therapists can also help children with special needs engage in social situations by regaining these skills. In addition to helping children regain their independence, occupational therapy helps them improve their overall functioning, which helps them become more confident, capable, and independent.
Occupational therapy helps children with sensory processing issues.
Children with sensory processing issues may find it challenging to focus on learning at school. Sensory integration therapy helps children learn new ways to process and use the senses. Occupational therapists use fun, stimulating activities to challenge the senses without overwhelming them. By identifying why children may be having difficulties, they can then develop a plan for treatment geared towards improving function. It is a crucial role for occupational therapists in the school system.