Occupational Therapy Services

Click Here to Download the Occupational Therapy Services Brochure

Our Caring Staff

Our highly-trained, caring Occupational Therapists all have extensive experience in pediatrics.  Our Therapists continue to dedicate themselves to continuing education and training.  They are enthusiastic participants in helping each child progress in their own way and partner with families to work towards common goals for their child.

Occupational Therapy

Occupational Therapists assist people of all ages to perform the functional tasks that normally occupy their lives. The occupation of childhood is to develop the skills necessary to become functional and independent adults.  These skills include:

• Refinement of fine and gross motor skills
• Development of independence in self-help and daily living skills
• Learning appropriate social interactions
• Regulation of sensory processing abilities
• Learning appropriate play and leisure skills

Play is the media most often used for children.  It is highly motivating and a natural for kids of all ages. Other treatment techniques used by occupational therapists might include:environmental/equipment modifications and adaptations, direct skills instruction, exercise instruction, positioning and splinting.  Education and involvement of the family is usually a primary consideration and is critical to success.

Benefits of Early Therapy

Early therapeutic intervention helps stimulate normal development and prevent or minimize developmental delays.  It helps to reinforce a healthy self-concept and promotes emotional maturation. Therapy for children and adolescents can increase independence, mobility and social adjustment.

The following are milestones of child development that children typically accomplish by certain ages.  If your child is having trouble reaching these milestones, contact your primary care Physician to determine if an occupational therapy evaluation is necessary.

Three Months:

• Follows objects with eyes
• Responds to sound by turning head
• Grasps objects when placed in hand
• Holds up hand and looks at it
• Swipes at toys
• Lifts to turn head from side to side when lying on stomach

Six Months:

• Lifts head when lying on stomach, propping up on arms
• Smiles when looking at self in the mirror
• Rolls over
• Brings toys to mouth
• Reaches out for and holds objects
• Moves toy from hand to hand
• Sits unsupported momentarily
  

Nine Months:

• Picks up small objects using a thumb and finger grasp
• Uses an index finger to poke at objects or toys
• Waves “bye-bye”

One Year:

• Pulls to stand at furniture
• Puts toys in and out of containers
• Crawls on hands and knees
• Looks at and turns pages of a picture book
• Feeds self with a spoon
• Holds own cup to drink

Outreach Services

Anne Carlsen Center offers OT services in Carrington so that local families don’t have to travel to the Jamestown campus for evaluations and direct therapy.  The therapists work with clients from birth to age 21.

If you think your child may need these services, contact the ACC Therapy Department at (800) 568-5175, ext 142 or 701-952-5142.  A primary care physician referral for an occupational therapy evaluation is necessary prior to receiving services.