Occupational Therapy
Occupational Therapists are skilled in helping children to do the activities that are important to them in their day to day life.
Sensory Processing
Sensory processing refers to the way we interpret and receive information from the world around us. We process this information from our 8 senses: taste, touch, smell, sight, sound, movement (vestibular), muscles and joints (proprioception) and our internal organs (interoception). We then use this information to understand our environment and how to respond and interact with it. Children who have difficulties with processing sensory information can present with significant functional challenges in their world.
Does your child struggle with any of the following?
- Self-regulation
- Sensitivity to clothing
- Sensitivity to noise or light
- Body awareness- frequent bumping into people or objects
- Mouthing or chewing objects
- Attention/focus
- Following directions
What can we do?
Our Occupational Therapists will complete a comprehensive assessment which may include interview, observation and standardized assessment in order to understand your child’s sensory profile as well as the impact this may have on their participation in their daily activities.
During treatment sessions our Occupational Therapists may trial tools and resources that can support your child in regulating themselves, something we call self-regulation. The Occupational Therapists will also work with you and your child to learn and understand how to recognize when they need calming or alerting input, how to communicate this, and what to do about it, using programs such as the Zones of Regulation or the Alert Program. Education is a big component to help you and your child’s team to understand their sensory needs.
Why Butterfly?
Your child can play in our sensory gym which includes swings, monkey bars, trampolines, and even a rock climbing wall! This allows our Occupational Therapist to see how your child responds to all kinds of sensory input. You have the chance to try out the tools and resources in our clinic such as a weighted vest or compression vest before deciding what you may need for home or school. The Occupational Therapists at Butterfly will guide you in determining how to work towards improved self-regulation one step at a time, to ensure that your child feels safe and confident in their bodies and their environments.
