OT = Sensory system? Stop being silly and confused!

Every child with autism has their own growth, and every parent has their own troubles. There are more and more targeted training methods, and the brains of many parents are becoming more and more chaotic.

Recently, many parents are asking, "Teacher, what is OT, what is sensory training, what is the difference, which is suitable for my child?" ”

So, what is OT?

"OT" for short Occupational Therapy (Occupational Therapy) is a goal-oriented activity to promote functional independence practices, is a rehabilitation treatment method, for the physical and mental development of patients with dysfunction or disability, the process of evaluation, treatment and training, to help patients maximize and restore the ability to live and work independently. In recent years, the application of OT training in the population of developmental delay and autism spectrum disorder has become more and more extensive.

First of all, we must know that in the process of children's development, children's abilities are mutually reinforcing and mutually restrictive.

In this picture, we can clearly see that the various abilities that need to be established in the process of children's development, at the bottom of the pyramid is the sensory integration system, which is the cornerstone of children's ability development. Further up are the child's big movements, limb coordination, hand-eye coordination, and fine skills. Being at the top of the pyramid is about the improvement of children's cognitive abilities.

Therefore, the foundation of the child's development process includes sensory integration ability, large motor ability and fine motor ability. These three abilities have a direct impact on children's cognition, language, emotional management, and behavior management. Only by laying the foundation of the pyramid firmly can children build higher cognitive skills.

OT training is a targeted exercise that directly targets the basic abilities mentioned above. Through systematic OT assessment, the development gap in sensory system and movement is found.

----

What is sensory integration training?

Sensory system training includes vision, hearing, smell, taste, touch, vestibular sense, proprioception, is in the form of games to allow children to participate, so that children feel that training is like playing games, and then enrich children's sensory stimulation, but this kind of game activity is different from general games.

It is a training course that is measured and diagnosed by a psychologist to integrate the child's sensory integration disorder and the level of intellectual development, and then develop a training course. Through some specially developed instruments, children can participate in the form of games, generally after 1-3 months of training, you can achieve obvious results. Children's academic performance, logical reasoning ability, memory ability, motor coordination ability, interpersonal relationships, diet and sleep, emotions and other aspects will be satisfactorily improved and improved, of which, the child's intelligence level can also be improved to varying degrees.

----

What is the difference between OT and sensory system training?

For children with autism, there will be different degrees of interference problems in sensory integration, attention, hand-eye coordination, emotional management, cognitive ability, self-care ability, and interpersonal relationships. When it comes to OT, most teachers or parents almost always mention sensory integration training rather than homework therapy. In fact, OT is like the branches and roots of a big tree, the sensory system is only a small fruit on the tree, although the sensory system is effective, but OT is more suitable for rehabilitation training for autistic children.

"Sensory integration" can deal with the problem of sensory organ disorders such as children's "big movement", hyperactivity, hypersensitivity, and sensory dullness; in basic daily activities, instrumental daily activities, rest and sleep, work, education, games, leisure and entertainment, social participation, health management and other aspects, can only be partially through sensory integration training, and all training requires "occupational therapy (OT)" intervention! Studies have found that the ability to fine motor is closely related to the development of brain ability; in addition, concentration and cognitive learning are also affected by sensory integration.

----

What are the tips for OT intervention?

Fine motor skills: for example, by wearing beads to improve hand-eye coordination and bilateral integration;

Large motor ability: improve coordination and balance ability through perceptual motion;

Improve playing skills: improve their ability to interact and communicate;

Improve self-care ability in life: such as brushing teeth, eating, etc.;

Assist in the development of adaptive response capacity: for example, the ability to transform in each activity process;

Visual integration skills: Prepare children for later learning to write and read.

----

What does a pediatric OT therapist do?

In addition to the above intervention techniques, if you want to learn more about OT intervention, you can also participate in the OT therapist training in children and obtain a qualification certificate.

OT therapists can help children with autism cope with a variety of developmental challenges, develop children's skills, give them the ability to deal with their own sensory stimuli, play interaction skills with others, build skills to cooperate with others, and so on.

Child OT therapists target children with physical, psychological, or cognitive impairments to restore motor function, homework ability, self-care, and professional ability to perform purposeful homework activities.

----