Occupational therapy - does it help?

My daughter has just been diagnosed with a mild form of SPD. I have been told that OT will help. What are other people's experience of this?



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Jun 15, 2010
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starstarstarstarstar 		OT
by: Anonymous

If you do not feel that OT is working for the child and is not the right fit find a new one. The relationship between your child and therapist is crucial to treatment and improvements for your child.
May 27, 2010
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starstarstarstarstar 		to OT worries by anonymous
by: jen

I had the same problem and my daughter got worse. by the last visit with her OT she was completely withdrawn from the therapist.
GET A NEW THERAPIST NOW, please.

Our therapist would get frustrated because i couldn't get control of my child. A good therapist will help your child get control of themselves and help you as well.
Our therapist also seemed to want to "punish" when i didn't think she should be.
after six weeks of OT my child had regressed having even more issues.

I was so upset that i never tried another OT. i was scared for my daughter but to be honest, i wish i had, because from what i hear a good one can really help.

Instead i chose to do therapy myself. once i learned she was trying to desensitize my daughter to be able to tolerate sand, dirty hands, ect... i did therapy myself.

After a long time (years for the sand issue) she is doing much better but still we have issues that i don't know how to fix.
i hope this helps- goodluck.
Mar 24, 2010
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starstarstarstarstar 		OT worries
by: Anonymous

I am worried that our occupational therapist is not helping my nearly 4 year old son. Her aim seems to be to get him to listen and follow instructions, yet to me, she seems harsh in her 'punishment' if he does not understand. He was assessed as having SPD about six months ago and started speech therapy, which he loves and has made vast improvements. Since his OT started about a month ago, I have not seen progress related to the tasks she gives him, which is just giving him a series of instructions and making him follow directions. Is this really occupational therapy??
Mar 21, 2010
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starstarstarstarstar 		OT help
by: Anonymous

OT will help, tremendously, but be ready for some major set backs as she develops emotionally, mentally, and physically. It can be heartbreaking to see her 'regressing', but know that as she develops, her needs change, but her reaction may not. OT will find a way to help, just be patient...
Mar 17, 2010
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starstarstarstarstar 		Yes!
by: Anonymous

My daughter has been seeing her OT for several months now and it definitely helps! Not only does it improve the quality of her life but gives me support that I desperately needed. I understand so much more about SPD now and how to help my child. Even if your childs sensory issues are mild a sensory diet just like a good exercise routine can benefit anyone!
Mar 16, 2010
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starstarstarstarstar 		How OT helps
by: Bonnie

My son is in OT but has just started so I haven't seen any improvement yet. But I know several families of children with spd and not one of them has a bad thing to say about OT. Every one has benefited greatly from the therapy.

My OT explained that by doing certain movements it releases appropriate chemicals and responses into the brain. After time and repetition these releases and responses become the norm for the child instead of the inappropriate ones they currently experience with sensory input. She says that in a way we are rewiring the brain to respond appropriately. She says that typically if a sensory diet (just specific sensory activities) is followed at home then in 3-6 months the child no longer needs OT.

She says that they will still have some issues but the severity should be down and that they should only need lots of help during times when they are sick or a life changing event etc. She says that they may need another "dose" of OT every few years but that they should be able to function much better than before. I am very excited about what we are hoping to see.
Mar 16, 2010
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starstarstarstarstar 		OT Benefit
by: Anonymous

My son is 5 yrs old and he has been receiving OT for around 9 months. I had him evaluated through the school at 4 and he was diagnosed SDD in communication with a delay in auditory processing, and speech. Then last year I took him for a private evaluation where he was diagnosed with SPD. The OT has helped immensely in addressing his social cue issues as well as arousal levels, and up and down responsive behaviors. She has worked to teach him of ways to control some of his impulses in reacting to his environment in a more comfortable way that suits him. I have seen great improvement, there are still some tough days but overall he is really benefiting.
Mar 15, 2010
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starstarstarstarstar 		Occupational Therapy - how does it work
by: Mad

My 11 year old son constantly makes noise. Humming, clicking his throat and now tapping or thumping on the table. He has a diagnosis of APD and a visual processing issue a well.

How could OT help him?
Mar 15, 2010
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starstarstarstarstar 		OT and SPD
by: Anonymous

I believe OT helps with SPD- My daughter 10, was diagnosed with SPD, suspected ADHD, and language delays-

She has started OT just two weeks ago- Everything the the OT has done- and told me- makes sense.
the SPD diagnosis fits her behavior and ot helps with the behavior.

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