Sara Wight M.S. OTR/L 46TR00580100

Occupational Therapist

 

 

E-Mail:  [email protected]

Phone Number: (732) 785-3000

Extension 1081

 

 

 

 

What is Occupational Therapy?

Occupational therapy provides children with tools to grow and be more independent and functional in their environment.  

How can an Occupational Therapist help a child?

• Occupational therapists are highly trained professionals that evaluate and assist children that are having difficulty participating in meaningful activities or "Occupations" that are needed to conduct their daily routines and live their life to the fullest.  
• For a child this may include the development of life skills such as learning at school, playing, completing self-care tasks, relating to others, and fulfilling their role as a student.  
• In the schools, Occupational Therapists address the needs of students experiencing delays, disabilities, or health challenges through therapeutic intervention to promote skill advancement, the use of compensatory strategies, adaptations to the child's equipment and environment, and/or modifying the activity.  
• Occupational Therapists also collaborate with teachers, parents, and others to identify and modify barriers that restrict a child's success and model strategies for others to use that will extend the benefits of direct intervention.  

Why would a child be referred to Occupational Therapy?

• Fine Motor Difficulties:  Holding crayons, pencils, and other small objecs, stringing beads, using clothing fasteners, and manipulating toys
• Eye Hand Coordination Difficulties: Scissor use, puzzles, ball skills
• Visual Motor Delays: Printing, Drawing, Forming Shapes, and Coloring
• Visual Perceptual Delays: Sorting, matching, figure ground, scanning, and letter reversals
• Self Care Delays: Dressing, Feeding, using utensils, tying, hand washing, opening packages and containers, backpack management
• Sensory Processing Difficulties: Delays in adaptive responses to sights, sounds, movement, taste, and touch
• Decreased Strength:  Manipulating resistive materials, moving against gravity, sustaining body positions
• Decreased Range of Motion: Limits in moving arms, fingers, head, or other body parts 
• Social Difficulties:  Interacting with others, following routines