OT Practice for Self Help

I attended a sharing session that hosted by two occupational therapists who work with special need kids. The sharing session was fruitful. I practiced it right immediate with Noah and he was able to achieve a great milestone after all.

We talked about self-help in four major area.

a.      To consume food

b.      To go toilet

c.      To get dress up

d.      To clean up/ brush up

I learnt that Noah is very much behind his milestone. Noah supposed to eat with both hands, Noah supposed to drink water from cup with one hand, Noah supposed to button up a shirt, zip up, put on the right shoes (to differentiate left and right), Noah supposed to be fully toilet trained day and night, Noah supposed to brush his teeth and shower himself. The fact is, Noah was not able to perform the tasks above.

The hosts shared on the methodology.

a.      Task analysis – to analyses the steps taken to complete a task. In other words mean to break it into smaller task.

b.      Motor learning – repetitive learning for a motor movement in certain task that is challenge for the kid

c.      Forward & backward learning – from full physical approach, partial physical, modeling, gesture, verbal & visual approach.

d.      Adaption – opportunity and encouragement is needed to make task easier for the kid to complete.

Despite Noah is very much behind his milestone for his age, I am glad the session gave me courage and knowledge, and I am able to help Noah to be more independent. Noah reached a great milestone in dressing up himself after that. Will continue to work with Noah.