Occupational therapy assessment for a kid
February 2, 2024 4:23 AM Subscribe
Why would an occupational therapist be so interested in whether or not my child can hop on one foot?
My seven-year-old just had an OT assessment through his school for ongoing issues with printing and fine motor. I will get a report, eventually, but in the meanwhile, the only thing he has said to me is that a lady came to play some games with him, kept trying to get him to hop on one foot and he could not.
I dimly recall, from the olden days, where his numerous cousins all had OT, for similar reasons, that this is significant somehow. Like, if he cannot hop on one foot, it means something. I don’t recall what, though! So, what’s the deal with that?
My seven-year-old just had an OT assessment through his school for ongoing issues with printing and fine motor. I will get a report, eventually, but in the meanwhile, the only thing he has said to me is that a lady came to play some games with him, kept trying to get him to hop on one foot and he could not.
I dimly recall, from the olden days, where his numerous cousins all had OT, for similar reasons, that this is significant somehow. Like, if he cannot hop on one foot, it means something. I don’t recall what, though! So, what’s the deal with that?
Being able to hop on one foot is dependent on a few aspects of motor development: balance, which is in part about proprioception (locating the body in space), strength in the hopping leg, and motor coordination between the various leg and foot muscles. It also depends somewhat on core strength (which, incidentally, is super important for handwriting because your core supports your arm which supports your hand).
posted by mai at 5:24 AM on February 2, 2024 [9 favorites]
posted by mai at 5:24 AM on February 2, 2024 [9 favorites]
When I went to a specialist at 18 to assess me in detail for my neurological condition they had me stand on one foot. Okay I can do it, a little wobbly. Then they said okay now close your eyes. And I was like are you crazy??, I'll fall! and they just scribbled more in their notebook.
Apparently this is something anyone with a normal functioning body can do, maintain balance even with your eyes closed, but oh ho ho not me! Never me! Certainly I can't hop on one foot successfully, either. If someone had asked, or noticed, earlier in my life, maybe I would have had an easier go of it.
posted by phunniemee at 5:43 AM on February 2, 2024 [4 favorites]
Apparently this is something anyone with a normal functioning body can do, maintain balance even with your eyes closed, but oh ho ho not me! Never me! Certainly I can't hop on one foot successfully, either. If someone had asked, or noticed, earlier in my life, maybe I would have had an easier go of it.
posted by phunniemee at 5:43 AM on February 2, 2024 [4 favorites]
It’s a part of the BOT, which is a standardized test to look at a kids fine motor, visual motor, and gross motor skills. It points to potential delays with muscle tone, balance, and coordination, but I don’t think it signifies one major thing in particular.
Source: am pediatric OT.
posted by Amy93 at 7:57 AM on February 2, 2024 [23 favorites]
Source: am pediatric OT.
posted by Amy93 at 7:57 AM on February 2, 2024 [23 favorites]
nth-ing.
One of my best friends is an OT specializing in kids, and many skills she focuses on that sound random/odd are actually markers for important skills and there is completely solid and understandable reasoning to focusing on them.
A fair bit of it sounds weird, and then you ask, they explain, and it really does not, even a little.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 8:17 AM on February 2, 2024
One of my best friends is an OT specializing in kids, and many skills she focuses on that sound random/odd are actually markers for important skills and there is completely solid and understandable reasoning to focusing on them.
A fair bit of it sounds weird, and then you ask, they explain, and it really does not, even a little.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 8:17 AM on February 2, 2024
I’m sure you will do this when the opportunity arises, and this question is just your early piqued curiosity before speaking with the OT. But when you do meet with the OT, I encourage you to feel VERY comfortable asking for this type of education from the OT themself! They should be able to clearly explain the reasoning behind the assessment. OTs are your partner in medical care and you should feel empowered to see them as such. Best of luck with your next steps with kiddo!
posted by samthemander at 9:32 AM on February 2, 2024 [5 favorites]
posted by samthemander at 9:32 AM on February 2, 2024 [5 favorites]
If you use Facebook, a great page to follow is “The Occuplaytional Therapist.” Kelcie is a US-born OT in England and she writes a lot about being an OT working in schools there. She definitely explains the purpose of various assessments and is a huge advocate for unstructured play due to the way it is developmentally helpful in all aspects, physically, cognitively, and emotionally.
posted by toodleydoodley at 2:37 PM on February 2, 2024 [2 favorites]
posted by toodleydoodley at 2:37 PM on February 2, 2024 [2 favorites]
Also, even though he was being referred for printing and fine motor issues, the OT is doing a full over-all assessment, which is good since it sounds like it turned up something else related to balance, coordination, proprioceptions and strength that hadn't been identified yet.
posted by metahawk at 12:59 PM on February 4, 2024 [1 favorite]
posted by metahawk at 12:59 PM on February 4, 2024 [1 favorite]
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